Members Rob and Sarah Skinner Genre Acoustic music | Website reddirtskinners.com Active from 2012 | |
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Genres Acoustic music, Singer-songwriter Years active 2011 (2011)––present (–present) Albums Sinking the Mary Rose, Behind the Wheel, Live at the Blue Lamp (Aberdeen, July 2014) Record labels Sidegoat Records, Toronto, The Red Dirt Skinners Similar The Red Dirt Rangers, Kyla Brox, Northsyde, Marcus Bonfanti, Jo Harman Profiles | ||
The Red Dirt Skinners are an English musical group formed in South East England Affiliated with the "Red Dirt" music genre of music; a style native to Oklahoma and Texas, Red Dirt Music is described as “hard to describe”. “Skinner” refers to the surname of Rob and Sarah.
Contents
- Behind the wheel red dirt skinners official title track
- History
- Influences
- Instrumentation
- Discography
- Songs
- References
Whilst the duo’s work was first recognised on both the British blues scene and the British Country music scene, the duo write and perform Acoustic music which crosses many genres.
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 gone on to be nominated at the International Acoustic Music Awards. Their fifth album, Behind The Wheel was voted in several polls as Folk/Roots album of the Year in 2016.
Behind the wheel red dirt skinners official title track
History
The “Red Dirt Skinners” formed in 2011 but began under their current name after their marriage in May 2012. The duo consists of Rob and Sarah Skinner, both multi-instrumentalists originating from South East England.
The “Red Dirt Skinners” unique sound can be attributed to Sarah’s wide experience playing classical, folk, ska, blues, jazz and everything in between, and for Rob’s equally diverse musical background as a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist. Sarah began her musical career as a classical clarinetist at around the age of 6 and Rob grew up with many musical influences including a grandmother who taught piano.
After a brief stint with a four piece Blues rock band, Sarah and Rob were encouraged to perform more of their own material during a chance meeting with Lisa Marie Presley at one of their shows. The couple began writing together in early 2011 and they released their debut album, Grass Roots, that Autumn (Originally under a different name).
In the Spring of 2012, the couple’s home was the subject of a Burglary. Many instruments, computers and family heirlooms were stolen and never recovered. Rob and Sarah took inspiration from the situation, and from it was borne their second album, Home Sweet Home. Home Sweet Home is a collection of songs written about the events of the weekend of the burglary.
Following on from the success of Home Sweet Home, and the positive support they had received from the British public, the Red Dirt Skinners released “Sinking The Mary Rose” in 2013 and subsequently “Live In Aberdeen” in 2014. In 2015, the duo conducted their first Canadian tour and continue to perform at Theatres, Arts Centres, Village Halls, Community centres and concert series throughout Europe and Canada.
Behind The Wheel, the fourth studio album was released on 24 March 2016 and garnered significant positive press.
Influences
Supertramp, Roger Hodgson, Pink Floyd, Queen (band), David Bowie, Stoney LaRue, The Civil Wars, Traveling Wilburys, Dream Theater
Instrumentation
Rob Skinner - Lead vocalist, Guitar, Bass guitar, Drums, Percussion, Keyboards
Sarah Skinner - Backing vocalist, Saxophone (mainly Soprano saxophone), Harmonica, Keyboards
Discography
Songs
Behind the WheelBehind the Wheel · 2016
Idabel BluesSinking the Mary Rose · 2013
Eleanor JoanBehind the Wheel · 2016