| Red Dirt Skinners | |
|---|---|
| Origin | South East England |
| Genres | Rock, acoustic, contemporary folk, progressive folk, folk rock |
| Years active | 2011 (2011)––present (–present) |
| Members | Rob Skinner Sarah Skinner |
| Website | reddirtskinners |
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 history to succeed at both the British Blues Awards (Winner Instrumentalist of the Year 2014, Runner-up 2013)) and the British Country Music Awards (Horizon Act of the year and People's Choice). Since then they have been nominated at the International Acoustic Music Awards.
The Red Dirt Skinners released Sinking The Mary Rose in 2013 and subsequently Live in Aberdeen in 2014.
In 2014, Sarah Skinner became the first female artist to be endorsed by Trevor James Saxophones. 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. Behind The Wheel was released on 24 March 2016.
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.
Their sixth album, Under Utopian Skies, was voted in several polls as Alternative album of the year in 2018.
In 2020, Rob Skinner became endorsed by Breedlove Guitars.
Their seventh album, Bear With Us was released on October 22 2021 to high acclaim
Influences
Supertramp, Roger Hodgson, Pink Floyd, Queen (band), David Bowie, The Civil Wars, Dream Theater.
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
Awards and nominations
| Year | Association | Category | Nominated Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | British Blues Awards | Song of the Year | Cheap Champagne | Nominated |
| 2012 | British Blues Awards | Instrumentalist of the Year | Sarah Skinner | Nominated |
| 2013 | British Blues Awards | Song of the Year | The Neighbour's Rooster | Nominated |
| 2013 | British Blues Awards | Instrumentalist of the Year | Sarah Skinner | Runner-up |
| 2013 | Phoenix FM Awards | Instrumentalist of the Year | Sarah Skinner | Won |
| 2013 | British Country Music Awards | Horizon Act of the Year | Red Dirt Skinners | Runner-up |
| 2013 | British Country Music Awards | People's Choice | Red Dirt Skinners | Runner-up |
| 2013 | UK Country Radio Awards | Song of the Year | Mr Jones | Nominated |
| 2014 | UUK Country Radio Awards | Act of the Year | Red Dirt Skinners | Finalist |
| 2014 | British Blues Awards | Instrumentalist of the Year | Sarah Skinner | Won |
| 2014 | British Blues Awards | Acoustic Act of the Year | Red Dirt Skinners | Nominated |
| 2015 | British Blues Awards | Instrumentalist of the Year | Sarah Skinner | Runner-up |
| 2015 | UK Americana Music Association Awards | UK Artist of the Year | Red Dirt Skinners | Nominated |
| 2015 | UK Americana Music Association Awards | UK Instrumentalist of the Year | Sarah Skinner | Nominated |
| 2016 | UK Songwriting Awards | Folk Song of the Year | Behind The Wheel | Semi-finalist |
| 2016 | International Acoustic Music Awards | Duo of the Year | Red Dirt Skinners | Nominated |
| 2016 | JUNO Awards | International Album of the Year | Behind The Wheel | Nominated |
| 2016 | Bluesdoodles Picks of 2016 | Folk/Roots/ Acoustic Album of the Year | Behind The Wheel | Won |
| 2018 | Bluesdoodles Picks of 2018 | Alternative Album of the Year | Under Utopian Skies | Won |
| 2018 | Music News Picks of 2018 | Album of the Year | Under Utopian Skies | Nominated |
| 2018 | International Acoustic Music Awards | Duo of the Year | Red Dirt Skinners | Nominated |
| 2021 | Music News Picks of 2021 | Album of the Year | Bear With Us | Nominated |
References
- "Red Dirt Skinners Blog about their heartbreaking burglary". Reddirtskinners.blogspot.ca. 13 January 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- Weale, Darren. "Interview with the Red Dirt Skinners", Blues in Britain, London, October 2013
- "Winners 2014". British Blues Awards. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "British Country Music Association – Supporting and Recognising the best in British Country Music". Bcmawards.co.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "IAMA | Home". Inacoustic.com. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- McKenna, Brittney. "Red Dirt Skinners – Live in Aberdeen". Nodepression.com. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "Trevor James Official Webpage". TJSaxes.
- "Picks of 2016 Recorded Music". Bluesdoodles.com. 31 December 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "Official Site". Red Dirt Skinners. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "That Eric Alper Official Page". 21 September 2021.
- "Picks of 2018". Bluesdoodles.com. 20 December 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
- "Breedlove Guitars Official Webpage". Breedlove Guitars.
- "Music News".
- "Red Dirt Skinners interview with Folk Roots Radio". 23 August 2018.
- "Red Dirt Skinners influences listed on website".
- ^ "Past Winners - British Blues Awards". Britishbluesawards.com. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- "Red Dirt Skinners". Facebook.com. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- ^ UK Country Radio website no longer active
- ^ "UKCountryRadio.com". Ukcountryradio.com. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- "2016 Results". Songwritingcontest.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 August 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- ^ "International Acoustic Music Awards". Inacoustic.com. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- "Juno Awards". Junoawards.ca. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- "Bluesdoodles Picks of 2016". Bluesdoodles.com. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- "Bluesdoodles Picks of 2018". Bluesdoodles.com. 20 December 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- "Top Albums of 2018". Music-news.com. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- "Top Albums of 2021". Music-news.com.