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Nickel Creek's Sara Watkins Goes Solo

Nickel Creek's Sara Watkins is venturing out on her own. The accomplished singer/songwriter/fiddle player has signed a deal with Nonesuch Records, recruiting some big names to help make her solo debut.

Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones will produce Watkins' self-titled album. Musical collaborators will include Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, Tom Petty keyboardist Benmont Tench, Elvis Costello drummer Pete Thomas, and last but not least, Watkins' Nickel Creek bandmates Chris Thile and Sean Watkins.

Watkins met Jones at a folk festival in England, where she was touring with Nickel Creek. She says theirs is a mutual admiration.

"He came up after Nickel Creek's performance and said that if I didn't let him produce my record he would never talk to me again," she tells Billboard. "I was thrilled that he was that excited about it."

Watkins' album is due April 7. In the meantime, you can see her in the video, 'Reno' -- her duet with Alex Woodard. (Watch it here.)

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24 Comments

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paul

Congrats to Sara! This is a turning point for her and I'm proud and happy for her accomplishment. Many of you scrutinize or make this about yourselves, shame on you! I'm looking forward to Sara's achievements and will happily support them.
When I become an established artist then I will have earned the right to be a critic towards my peers. Until then, Good luck Sara, I'm a proud fan of yours!!

July 09 2009 at 4:14 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kevin lynch

News Falshes:
1) Nickel Creek technically disbanded two years ago.
2) Alison did not "leave" Union Station. They are taking their usual time off...only a bit longer this time around; members doing misc. projects.
3) The Rolling Stones' longevity kind of doesn't count since they were so high for 25 of those years that they probably didn't even remember each other when they sobered-up!!

November 26 2008 at 11:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Betty Grove

I,ll say it again for all of pretend Country Holly Wood pecker Heads.the Dixie Chicks are nothing,they made there money on false hoods, they pretended to be just like the good old girls from the farm when in fact they were just using the good Folks from the south to make there money then turn around and trash this Country in a Foreign land and it seems they have Brain washed a few Morons to defend there right to trash this Country.well Boy,s and Girl,s I have served this Country and Bleed for it.what have you done lately.besides act like a bunch of want a be Country folks.I have said my peace and by God I,ll stand by it, and if you don,t like.Tough.the Country you see now is not Country.it,s Holly Wood dress up pretend to be Country.I bet none of them idiot,s never did a real day,s work in there life.and most likely voted for the Two year senator to be President.and to think me and my brothers and sister,s fought for the right of idiot,s to defend the Dixie chick,s.your type who most likely would help Terrorist defeat this Country,and most likely Collaborate a long with the Dixie Chick,s with the Terrorist to save your own Ass,now defend that Fiddle head.I would like to Know have anyone of you out there ever worked on a Farm or a Ranch.most likely not.you are the Type who pretend to be Country but know nothing of being real Country.now do you.

November 26 2008 at 11:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tld882

dont ever compare sara watkins to taylor swift. they shouldnt be in the same sentence. i have seen nickel creek a couple of times and they are true musicians. nickel creek hasnt been together for at least two years. someone hasnt gotten their news stories straight. the last i read sara and sean were doing their own thing and chris thile has several projects he has been doing. if you have a chance to see the punch brothers live (his latest band) you must go. it was amazing live. you will love it. they are so talented.

November 26 2008 at 5:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
musictv1

Brandy is right. Nickel Creek has been broken up for a while.

November 26 2008 at 5:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Derek

Taylor Swift is the reason I stopped listening to country music. Excuse me, I have to go puke now.

November 26 2008 at 5:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Lauren Shantell

Ok You guys so don't get it. Sara is such an awesome artist who is very established. Yeah Nickel Creek broke up. We all know that. She did all kinds of collaborative projects while she was IN Nickel Creek also! So those of you who are dissing her need to get it straight. She is a genuine artist who plays and sings for the passion. Comparing her to Taylor Swift is an outright JOKE!!!

November 26 2008 at 5:19 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brandy

This is OLD news. Nickel Creek "took a break" like 2 years ago.

November 26 2008 at 5:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
scottevnz

This article doesn't say anything about her leaving Country music. This sounds more like the Robert Plant/ Allison Krause collaboration. Nickel Creek has never had Country radio airplay but did achieve alot of critical acclaim. I also doubt the Dixie Chicks are walking the streets in Hollywood looking for a deal. They're set for life financially.

November 26 2008 at 4:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Derek

Real musicians don't need or care about titles. That's for the music lables to deal with.

November 26 2008 at 4:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply