Songwriter Wyatt Durrette has always been passionate about two things food and music. Growing up in Richmond, Virginia as one of eight children, his mom made it a point to ensure family meals were a priority. This simple joy would continue to be a staple in Durrette’s adult life.

Another constant, the food and beverage industry, would shape Durrett’s professional future. Following his parents into the restaurant industry, Durrette took to the business, learning the ins and outs since age fourteen.

While Wyatt Durrette’s mother seems to be the inspiration behind his passion for food, family and togetherness, his father played a pivotal role in his love for music. His father loved old country, and a father and son bond soon formed when Durrette fell in love with the storytelling of these songs, too. His taste in music continued to evolve. Around 13 or 14 years old, his dad and sister took him to his first Jimmy Buffet concert, where Buffet’s ability to offer an escape from the everyday captivated Durrette, further cultivating his love for music.

Eventually, a life of good tunes and great cuisine meant Durrette would cross paths with Zac Brown of The Zac Brown Band. While booking music for Dixie Tavern in Atlanta, the two musicians became fast friends, and 12 years later they had their first hit, “Chicken Fried,” an homage to their mutual love for food and songwriting.

Seven years ago, after marrying his wife Kelly, Durrette moved to the Isle of Palms and his dream of living in his childhood vacation destination became reality. In the summer of 2018, he opened Papi’s Taqueria on the main drag, along with Chef Rusty Hamlin, Bret Jones, and Eric Evaul. The menu offers eclectic Southwest cuisine, while the rooftop bar provides breathtaking views of the shoreline.

However, Durrette said that the best night at any restaurant doesn’t hold a candle to the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day soirees or, as he puts it, his

“favorite 48 hours of the year.” With 36 people in his immediate family all gath-ered together in Richmond, one can imagine the beautiful chaos of these dinners. Christmas Eve boasts a 20-year tradition of crab legs, suggested long ago by Durrette’s sister and an instant hit. Christmas dinner consists of perfectly cooked prime rib roast accompanied by all the staple side dishes.

Music, much like food, has a way of drawing people together, which may be why they often go hand-in-hand. In the first few minutes of chatting with Wyatt Durrette, it was clear that both of these art forms have always played a huge role in his life, helping to cultivate his career as a songwriter and a restaurant owner. But don’t take my word for it check out Durrette’s work for yourself. You can catch many of his songs on the radio; he’s collaborated most often with The Zac Brown Band and, more recently, Luke Combs. You can also keep an eye out for Durrette’s own band, Yesterday’s Wine, playing around the Lowcountry. And, of course, indulge in food with a view at Papi’s Taqueria on Isle of Palms.

By Katie Kirila

An Escape from the Everyday: Wyatt Durrette, Songwriter and Restaurateur