Sean Watkins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sean Watkins
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Sean Watkins playing with Fiction Family, at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City.
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Sean Charles Watkins |
| Born | February 18, 1977 |
| Origin | Vista, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Progressive bluegrass, folk, country |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar, piano, mandolin, ukulele, bouzouki |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Labels | ATO Records Sugar Hill Records |
| Associated acts | Nickel Creek, Fiction Family, Works Progress Administration, Mutual Admiration Society, Sara Watkins, Switchfoot |
Sean Charles Watkins, born on February 18, 1977, is an American musician. He is a talented guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Sean is known for being a member of the folk band Nickel Creek. He also plays in the duo Fiction Family and the music group Works Progress Administration. His sister, Sara Watkins, is also a famous musician.
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Sean Watkins' Music Journey
Sean Watkins started his music career playing the mandolin. Later, he switched to playing the guitar. He is a key member of the band Nickel Creek.
Nickel Creek's Success
Nickel Creek has released six albums. They also have a "greatest hits" CD called Reasons Why: The Very Best. The band won a Grammy for their album This Side. Sean once joked that he kept his Grammy on top of his toilet. He said it felt like a "humble place" and he didn't want to show it off.
Sean also plays music by himself. His early solo songs were bluegrass style. But over time, he started adding other types of music, like indie rock. This change in his solo music is similar to how Nickel Creek's music has grown. Sean is the oldest member of Nickel Creek. When he was 16, he qualified for the National Flatpicking Championship in 1993.
Sean started playing piano when he was six years old. He took lessons for seven years. Three years into his piano lessons, he discovered bluegrass music. He learned about it from his piano teacher's son. His teacher's son had a bluegrass band that played every Saturday night. Sean and his sister Sara later met Chris Thile and started playing with him on Saturdays too.
His sister, Sara Watkins, plays violin and sings on his solo albums. In 2004, Sean and Sara worked with singer Glen Phillips on a project. It was called Mutual Admiration Society. Sean and Sara also contributed a song called "No Way to Live" to the soundtrack of the 2007 movie Bug.
Sean's Current Music Projects
In 2006, Sean Watkins and Switchfoot singer Jon Foreman started a music duo. They first called themselves The Real SeanJon. In March 2008, they changed their band name to Fiction Family. Their album, also called Fiction Family, was released on January 20, 2009.
In January 2008, a new music group was formed. It was first called The Scrolls, but is now known as Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.). This group has many talented musicians. Sean Watkins is part of it, along with his sister Sara Watkins. Other members include Glen Phillips, Benmont Tench, Luke Bulla, Greg Leisz, Pete Thomas, and Davey Faragher. Their first album came out on August 28, 2009. Sean, Glen Phillips, and Luke Bulla were the main singers and songwriters. Later, the group's main lineup became Sean and Glen Phillips. They were joined by Jerry Roe on drums and Sebastian Steinberg on bass guitar.
Sean and his sister Sara often perform together at the Largo nightclub in Los Angeles. They call their show "The Watkins Family Hour". Other musicians often join them, like Benmont Tench and Sebastian Steinberg. Sometimes, Jon Brion, Fiona Apple, and even former Nickel Creek bandmate Chris Thile join in. This group released an album and went on tour in 2015.
Sean has also played guitar and sung for his sister Sara's solo shows. He has supported her since her first album came out in April 2009.
Sean has also released some unique digital music. He described one project as "15 minutes of noise" that was "very strange."
In October 2013, Sean announced a new album called All I Do Is Lie. It was released in June 2014. He also released What to Fear in 2016 and This Is Who We Are with The Bee Eaters in 2020.
Sean's Personal Life
Sean Watkins married musician Dominique Arciero on October 19, 2019. Their wedding was in Vista, California. They now live in northeast Los Angeles, California.
Sean Watkins' Albums
Solo Albums
- Let It Fall (2001)
- 26 Miles (2003)
- Blinders On (2005)
- All I Do Is Lie (2014)
- What to Fear (2016)
- This Is Who We Are (2020) – with The Bee Eaters
Albums with Nickel Creek
Albums with Fiction Family
Albums with Watkins Family Hour
- Watkins Family Hour (2015)
- Brother Sister (2020)
