Nickel Creek

Pictures

Nickel Creek

Listen to, buy or share

Buy

Tags

Everyone’s tags

More tags

Biography

(1989 – 2007)

Nickel Creek was an American progressive acoustic music trio consisting of Chris Thile (mandolin), Sara Watkins (fiddle) and Sean Watkins (guitar). The band was founded in 1989 and released six albums between 1993 and 2006, winning a 2003 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album. Nickel Creek disbanded in 2007.

The two families, the Watkinses and the Thiles, met after Sean Watkins and Chris Thile had mandolin lessons with the same music instructor, John Moore. Sara Watkins studied with Moore’s bandmate, Dennis Caplinger. The band name came from a song by Byron Berline, who was Sara Watkins’ fiddle instructor.

Nickel Creek’s first performance was at That Pizza Place in Carlsbad, California in 1989 with Scott Thile, Chris’s father, playing string bass. Sean Watkins was only twelve years old at the time. At the start Chris Thile played guitar and Sean Watkins played mandolin but later they decided to switch instruments. The band played many bluegrass festivals throughout the 1990s, and the band members were home-schooled to accommodate their tour schedule. Nickel Creek’s first two albums were Little Cowpoke (1993) and Here to There (1997).

The group received two Grammy nominations: Best Bluegrass Album and Best Country Instrumental for the song “Ode to a Butterfly”. The trio was nominated at the CMA Awards for Best Vocal Group and the Horizon Award and were named one of the “Five Music Innovators of the Millennium” by TIME Magazine in May 2000. Nickel Creek’s “The Lighthouse’s Tale” video was nominated for a CMT “Flameworthy Video Award” for Group/Duo Video of the Year.

Videos

Top Albums

Listening Trend

182,659listeners all time
4,599,904scrobbles all time
Recent listeners trend:

Start scrobbling and track your listening history

Last.fm users scrobble the music they play in iTunes, Spotify, Rdio and over 200 other music players.

Create a Last.fm profile

Shoutbox

Leave a comment. Log in to Last.fm or sign up.
  • jr3houston

    In total amazement at the beauty and artistry in their music. I'm a former major market radio Program Director and don't give musical acts props very easily. There is, however, a difference between musical acts and artistry. Thank you, Nickel Creek, if you happen across this post some day.

    9 Mar 8:33pm Reply
  • jaydodge

    can't get enough, and I don't think I'll ever be sick of their stuff. excellent all around.

    13 Jan 11:17pm Reply
  • TheWrathofThor

    Wait, so this isnt a Nickelback tribute band of members from the cast of Dawson's Creek?

    5 Jan 11:04pm Reply
  • Echos_Myron

    The second best band with "Nickel" in their name.

    5 Jan 12:42am Reply
  • kimberlyelaine

    I could echo so much of what has already been said. No group of musicians has surprised and delighted me as much as these three. This Side is one of my most favorite albums of all times, which breaks somewhat from my usual classic/progressive rock. Always delighted to hear Chris Thile on his own, too. Criminally underrated. [7] Indeed.

    30 Oct 2012 Reply
  • Shalako1st

    Nickel Creek is the type that you are glad they came into your life. Once, twice, many times, never enough.

    3 May 2012 Reply
  • CrazyMtBillies

    FREE DOWNLOAD of brand new song! http://www.last.fm/music/Crazy+Mountain+Billies/Total+Party

    21 Apr 2012 Reply
  • lxlmandudelxl

    I WISH YOU OUT OF THE WOODS, AND INTO A PICTURE, WITH MEEEE

    7 Apr 2012 Reply
  • Gagelly

    I'll still be there When you come back down ♥

    28 Mar 2012 Reply
  • MaritimeAviator

    Love Nickel Creek. Love the Punch Brothers. LOVE Chris Thile!

    6 Mar 2012 Reply
  • jennstar18

    Criminally underrated. [6]

    26 Jan 2012 Reply
  • Lupin1112

    Criminally underrated. [5]

    16 Jan 2012 Reply
  • schwagcast

    Thanks for improving the soundtrack to my life.

    8 Jan 2012 Reply
  • BrigidGH

    Criminally underrated. [4]

    14 Dec 2011 Reply
  • ravagingmasses

    which album is the most folkish and least pop?

    8 Dec 2011 Reply
  • martyen

    Please, please, pleeeeease come back and make another album.

    22 Nov 2011 Reply
  • 3amConspiracy

    Do yourself and check out their podcast. So far there have only been to but they have been great. First one contains an awesome Bob Dylan cover and the second has a special appearance from Fiona Apple. Watkins Family Hour Podcast FTW!!!

    17 Nov 2011 Reply
  • AnyHumanHeart

    aww, the first album I ever got was "This Side". I was like 12. That cd was possibly the best thing that happened that year. Listening to it right now, sweet memories.

    14 Nov 2011 Reply
  • gebhardino

    i like their way of music.

    1 Oct 2011 Reply
  • toflagship

    I miss them so much.

    2 Jul 2011 Reply
  • All 186 shouts