Chris Thile

Christopher Scott Thile (pronounced THEE-lee) (born February 20, 1981) is both a renowned mandolin player and founding member of the progressive bluegrass trio Nickel Creek, along with

Christopher Scott Thile (pronounced THEE-lee) (born February 20, 1981) is both a renowned mandolin player and founding member of the progressive bluegrass trio Nickel Creek, along with Sara Watkins and Sean Watkins. The three met in Carlsbad, California at That Pizza Place in 1989, whilst listening to weekly bluegrass shows with their parents. Soon they were taking lessons from the same instructor, playing festivals, and even recording albums, their first, Little Cowpoke, was released in 1994. Nickel Creek has gone on to record several more albums, including their official, self-titled debut album (which was certified platinum), This Side, which not only went gold but also won a Grammy on February 23, 2003, for Best Contemporary Folk Album. In 2005, Nickel Creek released Why Should the Fire Die?, which received massive critical acclaim and sold 250,000 units. In 2008, Thile will release a collaboration album with fellow virtuoso Edgar Meyer.

Thile began playing the mandolin at the age of 5, and soon thereafter began performing at California bluegrass festivals. At age 12, he won the prestigious national mandolin championship at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas in 1993. He released his first solo album Leading Off that same year, featuring mostly original compositions. Two more albums followed, showcasing not only his technical virtuosity but his skill at composition: Stealing Second, followed by his 2001 release Not All Who Wander Are Lost, which featured guest appearances from several well-known instrumentalists such as Stuart Duncan, Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Jerry Douglas, and Bryan Sutton.