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| Sara Watkins | |
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 Sara at Manchester Students Union in July 2006
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Sara Ullrika Watkins1 |
| Born | June 8, 1981 |
| Origin | Vista, California, United States |
| Genre(s) | Bluegrass, folk, country |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Fiddle, ukulele, guitar2 |
| Years active | 1989 - Present |
| Label(s) | Sugar Hill Records |
| Associated acts | Nickel Creek, Mutual Admiration Society, Works Progress Administration |
| Website | sarawatkins.com |
Sara Ullrika Watkins (born June 8, 1981) is an American singer-songwriter and fiddler. Watkins debuted in 1989 as the fiddler of the progressive bluegrass group, Nickel Creek, which consists of herself and her elder brother, Sean, as well as mandolinist Chris Thile. As a band, they are notable for their three wide-released albums including their self-titled debut Nickel Creek and their latest album, Why Should the Fire Die?. Aside from singing and fiddling, she can play the ukulele and the guitar.
With Nickel Creek, she has released five studio albums, one compilation album, and seven singles. Nickel Creek are currently on hiatus to branch off into new projects, and Sara is pursuing a solo career, planning to release her currently untitled debut album in early 2009.
Contents |
Biography
1999-2007: Nickel Creek
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Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (September 2007) |
2007-Present: Solo career
In late 2005, Watkins stated in a PopMatters interview when discussing her first solo-written recorded song, "Anthony", that she "definitely [makes] the effort [to write more], but it's something that doesn't come too easy for me. Nor does it come really easy for the guys, I think they've just been doing it for a very long time."3
Watkins plans to release her first solo album in February or March 2009. Watkins started recording the album in February 2008, and it was jointly recorded in Nashville and Los Angeles.4 The album was produced by bassist John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin fame, who first performed with Watkins in Mutual Admiration Society in 2004.4
Watkins has been touring the United States in the spring, summer, and fall of 2008.4 She performed short tours as an opening act for singer-songwriter Tift Merritt along the West Coast in March and April,5 Robert Earl Keen around New England in September,6 as well as a 17-date tour with Donavon Frankenreiter in October.
Other projects
In 2002, Watkins starred in an advertisement for cell phone provider Cingular Wireless (now AT&T Mobility) alongside her former fiddle teacher Dennis Caplinger, as well as other prominent bluegrass artists.78 Los Angeles session musician Gabe Witcher was originally offered the gig, but was asked to back out because of a casting desire for a "female fiddler."7
The 2007 documentary film Arctic Tale featured a song by Watkins and musician Grant-Lee Phillips, titled "Song of the North (Beneath the Sun)." Watkins lent her vocal talents to be used in the film alongside other performers such as Aimee Mann and Brian Wilson.9
In January 2008, it was reported by Billboard that a new supergroup octet tentatively named The Scrolls, but now officially named Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.). The octet is comprised of Watkins, her brother Sean Watkins (guitar), Glen Phillips (guitar, vocals), Benmont Tench (piano), Luke Bulla (fiddle), Greg Leisz (various), Pete Thomas (drums), and Davey Faragher (bass). The group plans to have an album out in early 2009.10
Personal life
On August 16, 2008, Watkins was married to her boyfriend Todd Cooper in her parents' backyard in Vista, California, according to both Watkins and Glen Phillips' weblog.116
Discography
Solo career
Studio albums
- 2009: Untitled
With Nickel Creek
Albums
Compilations |
Singles
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References
- ^ "Watkins, Sara Ullrika". ASCAP.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-24.
- ^ Watkins, Sara. "getting ready... ". MySpace. January 21, 2007. Retrieved November 26, 2007.
- ^ Tranter, Nikki. "Understanding and Ability". PopMatters. November 18, 2005. Retrieved March 27, 2008.
- ^ a b c Dickens, Tad. "End of the road for Nickel Creek?". The Roanoke Times. November 2, 2007. Retrieved March 1, 2008.
- ^ "Nickel Creek members' tours stop in NC". Triangle Music. January 24, 2008. Retrieved March 1, 2008.
- ^ a b "Sept - Northampton, MA". sarawatkins.com. September 2008. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
- ^ a b "A Most Cingular Sensation". Wright For You. June 2002. Retrieved June 21, 2008.
- ^ "Brad Davis, Tim May & John Moore". Walnut Valley Festival. Retrieved June 21, 2008.
- ^ "Arctic Tale [Original Soundtrack: Credits"]. MSN. Retrieved April 22, 2008.
- ^ Graff, Gary. "Heartbreakers, Imposters, Nickel Creekers Make The Scrolls" Billboard. January 18, 2008. Retrieved January 20, 2008.
- ^ "Summer Is Almost Over...". glenphillips.com. August 24, 2008. Retrieved August 30, 2008.
External links
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