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Sean Watkins

Sean Charles Watkins[1] (born February 18, 1977) is an American guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. He is a member of the contemporary folk band Nickel Creek, the duo Fiction Family and the supergroup Works Progress Administration. He is the brother of Sara Watkins.

Sean Watkins

Sean Charles Watkins

(1977-02-18) February 18, 1977

Musician, songwriter

Guitar, piano, mandolin, ukulele, bouzouki

1989–present

Career[edit]

Nickel Creek[edit]

Sean Watkins began his tenure with Nickel Creek playing mandolin, but later switched to guitar. The band has released six albums and a CD composed of their hits (called Reasons Why: The Very Best) and won a Grammy for This Side – a coveted trophy that Watkins reportedly put on top of his toilet at home. Explaining the somewhat odd situation, Watkins said that "it seems like a humble place. I didn't want to put it out in plain view of my house. I didn't feel like displaying it right when you walk in. It's a nice crown for the porcelain."[2] In addition to playing with Nickel Creek, Watkins has released multiple solo albums.


As a solo musician, his early material was contemporary bluegrass, but he has since incorporated other influences into his music (especially indie rock.) Watkins' solo music career seems to reflect Nickel Creek's: turning from traditional bluegrass songs to indie rock with bluegrass instrumentation. He is the oldest member of Nickel Creek. Sean qualified for the National Flatpicking Championship in 1993 at age 16.

(2001)

Let It Fall

(2003)

26 Miles

(2006)

Blinders On

(2014)

All I Do Is Lie

(2016)

What to Fear

This Is Who We Are (2020) – with The Bee Eaters

[10]

Sean's website

Nickel Creek's website

LAist Interview with Sean Watkins

Fiction Family Website

Works Progress Administration website

Career Retrospective Interview from April 2016 with Pods & Sods