Sean Watkins

Sean Charles Watkins, (born February 18, 1977) is a guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, and is one third of the contemporary folk band

Sean Charles Watkins, (born February 18, 1977) is a guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, and is one third of the contemporary folk band Nickel Creek. His sister Sara Watkins, also a member of Nickel Creek, plays violin and sings background vocals on the second of his two solo albums. Nickel Creek recently participated in a project dubbed Mutual Admiration Society, a collaboration with former Toad The Wet Sprocket singer Glen Phillips. As a solo musician, Sean Watkins' early material was contemporary bluegrass, but he has since incorporated other influences into his music (especially indie rock). Sean Watkins's solo music career seems to reflect Nickel Creek's; turning from traditional bluegrass songs to indie rock with bluegrass instrumentation. Sean Watkins is the oldest member of Nickel Creek. Sean qualified for the National Flatpicking Championship in 1993 at age 16. "My first instrument was the piano when I was six", Sean recalls. "I took classic instruction for seven years, but three years into that I discovered bluegrass music, through my piano teacher's son, who had a bluegrass band that played every Saturday night at a pizza place in Carlsbad. I really got into it, and when Sara Watkins and I met Chris, we started playing with him on Saturday nights too."

He played mandolin at the beginning of Nickel Creek, but later switched to guitar. Now Nickel Creek has exploded in the contemporary folk/bluegrass scene. Watkins has released 3 solo albums and appeared on others. Of this experience, Watkins has said, "I've learned now to look back to music that has lasted through the years and to appreciate the timeless value that it has."