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Thread: 11 Year Old Gibson Mandolin Endorser

  1. #1
    Registered User rnjl's Avatar
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    Default 11 Year Old Gibson Mandolin Endorser

    Another day, another reason to feel like a pathetic underachiever in life:

    https://bluegrasstoday.com/wyatt-ell...orsing-artist/

    Well, when you got it, you got it. Good for him, can't wait to hear what he's doing in 10 or 15 years.

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  3. #2
    Ursus Mandolinus Fretbear's Avatar
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    Default Re: 11 Year Old Gibson Mandolin Endorser

    Quote Originally Posted by rnjl View Post
    Another day, another reason to feel like a pathetic underachiever in life:

    https://bluegrasstoday.com/wyatt-ell...orsing-artist/

    Well, when you got it, you got it. Good for him, can't wait to hear what he's doing in 10 or 15 years.
    Couple of things;

    When you are named Wyatt, you can already pick when you are borned

    and

    It is how you hold your mouth when you do stuff
    But Amsterdam was always good for grieving
    And London never fails to leave me blue
    And Paris never was my kinda town
    So I walked around with the Ft. Worth Blues

  4. #3
    Registered User EvanElk's Avatar
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    Default Re: 11 Year Old Gibson Mandolin Endorser

    Congrats Wyatt! I've been doing Chris Henry's Monroe workshop with Wyatt and when we all take our turn performing the tune of the week, I just pray that I don't have to immediately follow him! He's a great kid and can already do some remarkable things on the mandolin!
    2003 John Sullivan F5 "Roy"
    2015 Heiden F Artist
    2019 Ruhland F5 #35

  5. #4
    Gummy Bears and Scotch BrianWilliam's Avatar
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    Default Re: 11 Year Old Gibson Mandolin Endorser

    Quote Originally Posted by rnjl View Post
    Another day, another reason to feel like a pathetic underachiever in life:

    https://bluegrasstoday.com/wyatt-ell...orsing-artist/

    Well, when you got it, you got it. Good for him, can't wait to hear what he's doing in 10 or 15 years.
    What a disservice to chalk his talent up as “natural ability”....

    Congratulations Wyatt, you sound great. Your hard work is paying off.

  6. #5
    Registered User rnjl's Avatar
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    Default Re: 11 Year Old Gibson Mandolin Endorser

    Brian, I certainly didn't say anything about pure natural ability being the only reason this young man is getting an endorsement deal at 11. I do think it's undeniable that different human beings are good at different things, and many people will focus on the activities that come more easily to them, creating a positive feedback loop. All kinds of human talents aren't distributed equally, but you're also correct that hard work, focus and discipline count for a huge amount, in any endeavor.

    I think it was Jason Isbell who said that his real talent wasn't guitar, it was being able to practice 8 hours a day. I'm paraphrasing, that's not an exact quote, but it goes to what you are saying.

    On the other hand, Wyatt's mother, in the article, says he has perfect pitch. I do know other people who have very, very little ability to sing in tune, even if it's "Happy Birthday." Can they be trained to hear better? I'm sure they can, but it's not going to be as easy for them as for others.

    Nature vs nurture? The answer is of course: yes, both, all the time.

  7. #6
    Gummy Bears and Scotch BrianWilliam's Avatar
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    Default Re: 11 Year Old Gibson Mandolin Endorser

    Sorry for the ambiguity Rjnl: my criticism was not directed at you but the BG today article that used the phrase.

    I’m not going to comment about Momma’s opinion. Props to her and her musical family.

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    Default Re: 11 Year Old Gibson Mandolin Endorser

    Great playing ! At his age I only wanted to be a Hopalong Cassidy or Roy Rogers !

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    Default Re: 11 Year Old Gibson Mandolin Endorser

    I worked with a training manager who used to say that if something comes to you easily, that’s talent. You should develop it and run with it. The American ethos is to put in endless hours of hard work that is often focused on the wrong thing.

    The perfect situation is when hard work and talent merge.

    It sure looks like it’s true in Wyatt’s case.

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    Default Re: 11 Year Old Gibson Mandolin Endorser

    Quote Originally Posted by Peter Barnett View Post
    I worked with a training manager who used to say that if something comes to you easily, that’s talent. You should develop it and run with it. The American ethos is to put in endless hours of hard work that is often focused on the wrong thing.

    The perfect situation is when hard work and talent merge.

    It sure looks like it’s true in Wyatt’s case.
    I agree, Wyatt has both !!

  12. #10
    Registered User rnjl's Avatar
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    Default Re: 11 Year Old Gibson Mandolin Endorser

    Brian, I think we're in agreement. I'm just amazed the kid has a deal with Gibson at 11.

    I'm 54 and I couldn't get a deal with Rover or Rogue mandolins.

    They'd pay me to play some OTHER brand.

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