Watkins Family Hour Bring Their Loose, Joyful Folk to the Ryman
Sara and Sean Watkins have spent their lives making music together, and the looseness of two siblings who know each other's playing inside out is the whole appeal of Watkins Family Hour. On June 23 they bring that warm, communal spirit to the Ryman Auditorium for a night that promises to feel more like a gathering than a concert.
Who Are Watkins Family Hour?
Sara and Sean Watkins are best known as two-thirds of the genre-bending acoustic trio Nickel Creek, the group that helped introduce a new generation to progressive bluegrass. Watkins Family Hour grew out of a long-running residency in Los Angeles, where the siblings hosted a rotating cast of friends and special guests for nights of collaborative, anything-goes music. As a recording and touring act, it's become a showcase for their easy chemistry, sharp musicianship, and deep roots in American folk traditions.
What Makes This Show Special
The charm of Watkins Family Hour is its spontaneity — covers and originals, fiddle and guitar, harmony singing, and the sense that anything might happen. The siblings are virtuosic players who wear it lightly, and their shows have a relaxed, living-room quality even in a grand hall. It's folk music made by people who clearly love doing it together, and that joy is contagious.
The Venue: Ryman Auditorium
The Ryman's intimate, pew-lined hall and renowned acoustics make it an ideal home for acoustic, harmony-driven music. Since 1892 it has hosted the very best of American roots music, and its warm sound lets every instrument and voice ring out clearly — perfect for an act built on subtlety and interplay.
Know Before You Go
Find the Ryman downtown at 116 Rep. John Lewis Way N, just off Lower Broadway. Doors typically open about an hour before showtime. Downtown parking garages and lots are plentiful nearby, and the venue is surrounded by Nashville's best dining and nightlife — a great spot for dinner before the music. Come a little early and soak in the room.
Get Your Tickets
For fans of Nickel Creek, acoustic music, or simply a great night of musicianship, Watkins Family Hour at the Ryman is a special one. Tickets are available now — reserve your seats for June 23.
