Considering he’s been playing music professionally for more than a quarter of a century, it seems odd that Sean Watkins sounds so excited at the prospect of a tour.
But for the vast majority of his career, the singer/songwriter/flatpicking guitarist has had to share the stage with others, whether as a co-founder of Grammy Award-winning progressive folk trio Nickel Creek or as a member of a handful of collaborative side projects.
If you go
* What: Sean Watkins in concert * When: 7:30 p.m. today, May 21 * Where: Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave. * Admission: $15 * Phone: 423-624-5347 * Artist website: www.seanwatkins.com * Venue website: www.barkinglegs.org
Solo discography
* 2001: “Let It Fall” * 2003: “26 Miles” * 2006: “Blinders On” * 2014: “All I Do Is Lie”
For Watkins, the solo tours he’s been engaged in this year are a novelty, a chance to stand in the full glare of the spotlight and dictate the arc of a performance. So far, he says, it’s been a rewarding experience.