WPA (Works Progress Administration) January 8, 2010

WPA (Works Progress Administration) consists of some of the most accomplished musicians in today's American roots music scene. Founding members Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket), Sean Watkins (Nickel Creek), and Luke Bulla (Jerry Douglas Band, Ricky Skaggs, Lyle Lovett) have teamed up with Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek), Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), Greg Leisz (Joni Mitchell, Wilco, Sheryl Crow, Beck), Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello and the Imposters, Randy Newman), and Davey Faragher (Elvis Costello and the Imposters, Cracker). They call the group an expandable collective, and the "collective" label fits in another way as well: Works Progress Administration takes its name from the New Deal-era initiative, which put millions to work making buildings, bridges, theater, art, and music.