Red Dirt Skinners
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Red Dirt Skinners
| image =
| caption = Rob and Sarah Skinner
| image_size =
| landscape =
| origin = South East England
| genre = Rock, acoustic, contemporary folk, progressive folk, folk rock
| years_active = {{start date|2011}}–present
| website = {{URL|reddirtskinners.com}}
| current_members = Rob Skinner
Sarah Skinner
}}
The Red Dirt Skinners are an Anglo-Canadian multi-genre duo, who formed in 2011. The duo consists of Rob and Sarah Skinner, both multi-instrumentalists originating from South East England and now residing in Ontario, Canada.
History
In 2012, the couple's home was the subject of a burglary. Home Sweet Home is a collection of songs written about the events of the weekend of the burglary.
In 2013, the Red Dirt Skinners became the first band in historyWeale, Darren. "Interview with the Red Dirt Skinners", Blues in Britain, London, October 2013 to succeed at both the British Blues Awards (Winner Instrumentalist of the Year 2014, Runner-up 2013){{cite web|url=http://www.britishbluesawards.com/winners-2014/4586012690 |title=Winners 2014 |publisher=British Blues Awards |accessdate=18 July 2017}}) and the British Country Music Awards (Horizon Act of the year and People's Choice).{{cite web|url=http://www.bcmawards.co.uk |title=British Country Music Association – Supporting and Recognising the best in British Country Music |website=Bcmawards.co.uk |accessdate=18 July 2017}} Since then they have been nominated at the International Acoustic Music Awards.{{cite web|url=http://www.inacoustic.com |title=IAMA | Home |website=Inacoustic.com |accessdate=18 July 2017}}
The Red Dirt Skinners released Sinking The Mary Rose in 2013 and subsequently Live in Aberdeen in 2014.{{cite web|last=McKenna |first=Brittney |url=http://nodepression.com/album-review/red-dirt-skinners-live-aberdeen |title=Red Dirt Skinners – Live in Aberdeen |publisher=Nodepression.com |accessdate=18 July 2017}}
In 2014, Sarah Skinner became the first female artist to be endorsed by Trevor James Saxophones.{{cite web|url=http://tjsaxes.co.uk/artists/sarahskinner | title=Trevor James Official Webpage|publisher=TJSaxes}} Sarah remained with Trevor James for 7 years before progressing to a solid copper Rampone and Cazzani soprano in early 2022.
Their fifth album, Behind The Wheel, was voted in several polls as Folk/Roots album of the Year in 2016.{{cite web|url=http://bluesdoodles.com/albums-of-the-year-2016/bluesdoodles-picks-of-2016-recorded-music/ |title=Picks of 2016 Recorded Music |website=Bluesdoodles.com |date=31 December 2016 |accessdate=18 July 2017}} Behind The Wheel was released on 24 March 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.reddirtskinners.com/red-dirt-skinners-press.html |title=Official Site |publisher=Red Dirt Skinners |accessdate=18 July 2017}}
In 2017 Rob and Sarah Skinner were deemed to be "performers of a world class level" and were invited by Canadian immigration to become permanent residents of Canada.{{cite web|url=https://www.thatericalper.com/2021/09/21/canadian-pop-rock-duo-the-red-dirt-skinners-unveil-new-single-wolf-in-the-woods/| title= That Eric Alper Official Page| date= 21 September 2021}}
Their sixth album, Under Utopian Skies, was voted in several polls as Alternative album of the year in 2018.{{cite web|url=https://bluesdoodles.com/bluesdoodles/day-20-decision-day-what-really-caught-our-attention/ |title= Picks of 2018 |website=Bluesdoodles.com|date=20 December 2018|accessdate=7 January 2018}}
In 2020, Rob Skinner became endorsed by Breedlove Guitars.{{cite web|url=https://breedlovemusic.com/acoustic-guitar-artists/rob-skinner-red-dirt-skinner | title=Breedlove Guitars Official Webpage|publisher=Breedlove Guitars}}
Their seventh album, Bear With Us was released on October 22, 2021 to high acclaim {{cite web|url=https://www.music-news.com/review/UK/14736/Album/Red-Dirt-Skinners| title=Music News}}
Sarah was affected with lung issues after Covid in 2022/3 and the duo were off tour for some time. During their time off, Sarah wrote a book; Are You Sure That’s A Saxophone - a memoir of her early days as a professional musician. The book instantly became an Amazon ‘Hot New Release’ in several categories.{{cite web|url=https://www.intelligencer.ca/news/local-news/2024-a-landmark-year-for-red-dirt-skinners| title=Belleville Intelligencer}}
Shortly after celebrating the success of Sarah’s book, the duo won “Indie Artist of the Year” at the 2024 Allevents Awards. The duo are currently writing their ninth album.
Influences
Instrumentation
- Rob Skinner – Lead vocalist, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussion, keyboards
- Sarah Skinner – Backing vocalist, saxophone (mainly soprano saxophone), harmonica, keyboards
Discography
- 2011 Grass Roots
- 2012 Home Sweet Home
- 2013 Sinking The Mary Rose
- 2014 Live in Aberdeen
- 2016 Behind The Wheel
- 2018 Under Utopian Skies
- 2021 Bear With Us
- 2022 Live In 2021
Awards and nominations
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.reddirtskinners.com Official Red Dirt Skinners website]
{{Authority control}}
Category:English folk musical groups
Category:English singer-songwriters
Category:Musical groups established in 2011
Category:2011 establishments in the United Kingdom
Category:Male–female musical duos