The band broke out in 2000 with a platinum-selling self-titled album produced by Alison Krauss, earning a number of Grammy and CMA nominations.

[1] Following numerous solo projects from the band members, Nickel Creek reformed in 2014 with announcement of a new album and subsequent tour.

[3] Nickel Creek's first performance was at That Pizza Place in Carlsbad, California, in 1989 with Scott Thile, Chris's father, playing string bass.

According to band member Sara Watkins, the group was "thrilled" with the guidance they received from Krauss to upgrade their vocal sound and the overall "production of the CD.

[10][11] The band went on tour and opened eleven shows for Lyle Lovett in the summer of 2000 and appeared on Austin City Limits in January 2001 with Dolly Parton.

[12][13] Shortly after Nickel Creek started touring, Scott Thile decided to leave the band to spend time with his family.

[14] A review in Allmusic said that "Thile and the Watkins siblings' originals, easily outdo the likes of folk-rockers Dave Matthews and Hootie & the Blowfish, while forging a new style to rejuvenate a genre that has always been a bit of a dark horse.

[27] In late summer 2006, via Billboard and their official website, Nickel Creek announced that at the end of the year they would no longer record as a group and their tour, scheduled through 2007, would be their last for an indefinite period[28] so band members could expand their musical horizons.

"[31] The tour featured guest appearances by Glen Phillips,[32][33] Jon Brion,[34] Fiona Apple,[35][36][37][38] Bruce Molsky,[39] Bela Fleck,[37] Tom Brosseau[37] and Tift Merritt, among others.

[2] Titled A Dotted Line, the album was produced by previous collaborator Eric Valentine and marked the group's first release on Nonesuch Records.

[40][41] Nickel Creek has occasionally reunited to perform on the radio show Live from Here (hosted by Thile), including once in November 2017[42] and again in February 2019.

[43] A Dotted Line's "Destination" was selected as the theme song for the Netflix original series, "Sweet Magnolias."