Red Dirt Skinners
Anglo-Canadian multi-genre duo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
Sarah Skinner
Red Dirt Skinners | |
|---|---|
| Origin | South East England |
| Genres | Rock, acoustic, contemporary folk, progressive folk, folk rock |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Members | Rob Skinner Sarah Skinner |
| Website | reddirtskinners |
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. .[1]
In 2013, the Red Dirt Skinners became the first band in history[2] to succeed at both the British Blues Awards (Winner Instrumentalist of the Year 2014, Runner-up 2013)[3]) and the British Country Music Awards (Horizon Act of the year and People's Choice).[4] Since then they have been nominated at the International Acoustic Music Awards.[5]
The Red Dirt Skinners released Sinking The Mary Rose in 2013 and subsequently Live in Aberdeen in 2014.[6]
In 2014, Sarah Skinner became the first female artist to be endorsed by Trevor James Saxophones.[7] 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.[8] Behind The Wheel was released on 24 March 2016.[9]
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.[10]
Their sixth album, Under Utopian Skies, was voted in several polls as Alternative album of the year in 2018.[11]
In 2020, Rob Skinner became endorsed by Breedlove Guitars.[12]
Their seventh album, Bear With Us was released on October 22, 2021 to high acclaim [13]
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.[14]
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.[14]
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
| Year | Association | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | British Blues Awards[17] | Song of the Year | Cheap Champagne | Nominated |
| 2012 | British Blues Awards[17] | Instrumentalist of the Year | Sarah Skinner | Nominated |
| 2013 | British Blues Awards[17] | Song of the Year | The Neighbour's Rooster | Nominated |
| 2013 | British Blues Awards[17] | Instrumentalist of the Year | Sarah Skinner | Runner-up |
| 2013 | Phoenix FM Awards[18] | Instrumentalist of the Year | Sarah Skinner | Won |
| 2013 | British Country Music Awards[19] | Horizon Act of the Year | Red Dirt Skinners | Runner-up |
| 2013 | British Country Music Awards[19] | People's Choice | Red Dirt Skinners | Runner-up |
| 2013 | UK Country Radio Awards[20] | Song of the Year | Mr Jones | Nominated |
| 2014 | UUK Country Radio Awards[20] | Act of the Year | Red Dirt Skinners | Finalist |
| 2014 | British Blues Awards[17] | Instrumentalist of the Year | Sarah Skinner | Won |
| 2014 | British Blues Awards[17] | Acoustic Act of the Year | Red Dirt Skinners | Nominated |
| 2015 | British Blues Awards[17] | 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[21] | Folk Song of the Year | Behind The Wheel | Semi-finalist |
| 2016 | International Acoustic Music Awards[22] | Duo of the Year | Red Dirt Skinners | Nominated |
| 2016 | JUNO Awards[23] | International Album of the Year | Behind The Wheel | Nominated |
| 2016 | Bluesdoodles Picks of 2016[24] | Folk/Roots/ Acoustic Album of the Year | Behind The Wheel | Won |
| 2018 | Bluesdoodles Picks of 2018[25] | Alternative Album of the Year | Under Utopian Skies | Won |
| 2018 | Music News Picks of 2018[26] | Album of the Year | Under Utopian Skies | Nominated |
| 2018 | International Acoustic Music Awards[22] | Duo of the Year | Red Dirt Skinners | Nominated |
| 2021 | Music News Picks of 2021[27] | Album of the Year | Bear With Us | Nominated |
| 2024 | Indie Artist of the Year by AllEvents[28] | Indie Artist of the Year | Red Dirt Skinners | Won |