WPA: Bluegrass Stars Unite Watkins, Phillips, Bulla & More

Glen Phillips, Sean Watkins, Luke Bulla And More Form Works Progress Administration
Self-Titled Debut Due September 15

WPA (Works Progress Administration)

Some of the most accomplished musicians in America’s reeling bluegrass scene have joined to create WPA (Works Progress Administration). The core band is made up of founding members Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket), Sean Watkins (Nickel Creek) and Luke Bulla (Ricky Skaggs, Lyle Lovett). The three teamed up with Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek), Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), Greg Leisz (Joni Mitchell, Bill Frisell), Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello, Randy Newman), and Davey Faragher (Cracker) for the recording of their debut album, which is due out September 15. This fall, the founding members of WPA will also embark on a nationwide tour. Bassist Sebastian Steinberg (Neil Finn) will join them on the road.

WPA was born out of the vibrant musical community surrounding the legendary L.A. club Largo, which encourages experimenting with new musical relationships. The collaborative nature of this environment resulted in the musicians recording the album before the musicians even came up with a name for the band.

WPA teamed up with acclaimed recording engineer Jim Scott (Wilco, The Rolling Stones) and recorded 17 songs in only five days. The track listing includes “The Price,” a song written by Benmont Tench over 20 years ago, during his heyday with The Heartbreakers as well as a cover of Ray Davies‘ “I Go To Sleep” sung by Sara Watkins.

Tour Dates:
09/06/09 Sun Camp Mather Groveland, CA
09/16/09 Wed The White Mule Columbia, SC
09/17/09 Thu Lincoln Theatre Raleigh, NC
09/18/09 Fri Grey Eagle Asheville, NC
09/19/09 Sat Ryman Auditorium Nashville, TN
09/20/09 Sun Eddie’s Attic Decatur, GA
09/25/09 Fri Doug Fir Portland, OR
09/26/09 Sat Crocodile Cafe Seattle, WA
09/27/09 Sun WOW Hall Eugene, OR
09/29/09 Tue Manzanita Place Chico, CA
09/30/09 Wed The Independent San Francisco, CA 10/05/09 Mon Largo Los Angeles, CA
11/05/09 Thu Highline Ballroom New York, NY
11/07/09 Sat Diesel Pittsburgh, PA
11/10/09 Tue Rams Head On Stage Annapolis, MD
11/11/09 Wed Barns at Wolftrap Vienna, VA
11/12/09 Thu Fairfield Theatre Stage One Fairfield, CT
11/13/09 Fri Club Passim Cambridge, MA
11/14/09 Sat Iron Horse Music Hall Northampton, MA
11/15/09 Sun Narrows Center For The Arts Fall River, MA
12/01/09 Tue CSPS Cedar Rapids, IA
12/02/09 Wed Cedar Cultural Center Minneapolis, MN
12/03/09 Thu High Noon Saloon Madison, WI
12/05/09 Sat The Ark Ann Arbor, MI
12/06/09 Sun Old Town School of Folk Music Chicago, IL