Red Dirt Skinners
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.
Red Dirt Skinners  | |
|---|---|
![]() Rob and Sarah Skinner  | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | South East England | 
| Genres | Rock, acoustic, contemporary folk, progressive folk, folk rock | 
| Years active | 2011––present | 
| Website | reddirtskinners | 
| Members | Rob Skinner Sarah Skinner  | 

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]
Influences
    
Supertramp, Roger Hodgson, Pink Floyd, Queen (band), David Bowie, The Civil Wars, Dream Theater.[14] [15]
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[16] | Song of the Year | Cheap Champagne | Nominated | 
| 2012 | British Blues Awards[16] | Instrumentalist of the Year | Sarah Skinner | Nominated | 
| 2013 | British Blues Awards[16] | Song of the Year | The Neighbour's Rooster | Nominated | 
| 2013 | British Blues Awards[16] | Instrumentalist of the Year | Sarah Skinner | Runner-up | 
| 2013 | Phoenix FM Awards[17] | Instrumentalist of the Year | Sarah Skinner | Won | 
| 2013 | British Country Music Awards[18] | Horizon Act of the Year | Red Dirt Skinners | Runner-up | 
| 2013 | British Country Music Awards[18] | People's Choice | Red Dirt Skinners | Runner-up | 
| 2013 | UK Country Radio Awards[19] | Song of the Year | Mr Jones | Nominated | 
| 2014 | UUK Country Radio Awards[19] | Act of the Year | Red Dirt Skinners | Finalist | 
| 2014 | British Blues Awards[16] | Instrumentalist of the Year | Sarah Skinner | Won | 
| 2014 | British Blues Awards[16] | Acoustic Act of the Year | Red Dirt Skinners | Nominated | 
| 2015 | British Blues Awards[16] | 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[20] | Folk Song of the Year | Behind The Wheel | Semi-finalist | 
| 2016 | International Acoustic Music Awards[21] | Duo of the Year | Red Dirt Skinners | Nominated | 
| 2016 | JUNO Awards[22] | International Album of the Year | Behind The Wheel | Nominated | 
| 2016 | Bluesdoodles Picks of 2016[23] | Folk/Roots/ Acoustic Album of the Year | Behind The Wheel | Won | 
| 2018 | Bluesdoodles Picks of 2018[24] | Alternative Album of the Year | Under Utopian Skies | Won | 
| 2018 | Music News Picks of 2018[25] | Album of the Year | Under Utopian Skies | Nominated | 
| 2018 | International Acoustic Music Awards[21] | Duo of the Year | Red Dirt Skinners | Nominated | 
| 2021 | Music News Picks of 2021[26] | Album of the Year | Bear With Us | Nominated | 
References
    
- "Red Dirt Skinners Blog about their heartbreaking burglary". Reddirtskinners.blogspot.ca. 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".
 - "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".
 - "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. 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. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
 - "Top Albums of 2018". Music-news.com. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
 - "Top Albums of 2021". Music-news.com.
 
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