Jakota Wass performs during the 2020 Carson Valley Days Parade. He was a headliner at the 2021 Carson Valley Days, just a week after he graduated from Douglas High School.
Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.
Though he’s been writing his own songs for years, Wass said the motivation to record an album of originals came in earnest after the coronavirus outbreak arrived. He started composing the album in 2020 and collaborated with childhood friend Jordan Chappell throughout the songwriting process, which he said took six months to a year to complete.
Being born and raised in Gardnerville provided a creative foundation for the album, as did the encouragement he’s received from his many supporters throughout the years.
“A lot of my inspiration comes from living in a small town,” he said. “(The song) ‘Hometown Boys’ is about hanging out with your friends on a Friday Night. ‘If I Tried’ is about being a rancher, and all the work and responsibilities that go along with that.”
Recording got underway in 2021 and earlier this month, Wass’ dream was realized with the release of his album, “Battle Born.” He celebrated with a special concert for his longtime supporters on April 9.
Battle Born features eight original songs, including “You to Miss,” “Princess Crown,” and the title track, which Wass said incorporates some of his favorite local spots and activities.
“I wanted to write (the song) ‘Battle Born’ for people in the valley to listen to and connect with the shared experiences of living in this wonderful place,” he said.
The song mentions fishing in the Carson River, sage in the pines, and looking up in wonder at Job’s Peak. One of Wass’ favorite lines is, “It’s a crazy life with a future unknown, I’ll always call this place my home.”
“(The song ‘Battle Born’) comes from my love of my hometown and all the people who have been behind me over the years,” he said. “I live in Reno now, and I don’t know any of my neighbors. (‘Battle Born’ is) about looking back with gratitude at my upbringing and the close-knit nature of this community…no matter where I end up in life, the Carson Valley will always have a special spot in my heart.”
In the coming months, Wass is scheduled to play at a number of local venues including the Third Thursday Wine Walks, Minden Farmers Market, Carson Valley Days, and Genoa Heritage Days this weekend. Additional events are listed on his website at jakotawass.com. Call Wass at 775-450-7602 or email at jakota@jakotawass.com to inquire about booking dates.
Battle Born is available across all streaming platforms including Apple Music and Spotify, and Wass has CDs for sale at his gigs. For more information, check out his Facebook page at facebook.com/jakotawassmusic/, or find him on Instagram @jakotawassmusic.
Cowboy’s Cafe wrangles fans from faraway places
During last week’s Spring Break from school, my family and I traveled to Southern California for a family wedding and a few extra days of vacation. The weather down south was markedly different from the Carson Valley’s rain and snow, and I made the most of the sunshine by taking a long walk each morning during our trip.
On our last day there, I was cruising along the walkway engrossed in an audio book when a man walking in the opposite direction approached. As we passed one another, the logo on the front of his t-shirt caught the corner of my eye.
I spun around as he walked by and saw “Cowboy’s Cafe - Minden, Nevada” across the back of his shirt. I called out to ask if he was from the Carson Valley and explained that’s where I’m from. Turns out he’s a Southern California local, and we’d crossed paths right outside his house.
My newfound buddy Don and I enjoyed a friendly chat about Minden and Gardnerville. He said he and his wife are fond of the Carson Valley and Lake Tahoe and have visited often, and he shared how much he enjoys the great food and hometown atmosphere at Cowboy’s Cafe. Don was kind enough to let me get a picture of him wearing his shirt.
This small-world encounter filled me with delight and was a touching reminder of how special the Carson Valley corner of the world is to residents and visitors alike.
Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com.
