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 South East England is one of the nine official regions of England, regions of England that are in the ITL 1 statistical regions of England, top level category for Statistics, statistical purposes. It consists of the nine counties of england, ...

and now residing in

Ontario Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...

, 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 Breedlove Guitars is an American acoustic instrument company based in Bend, Oregon. Breedlove produces acoustic guitars, acoustic bass guitars, and ukuleles. History and background Breedlove Guitars was established In 1990 by California luthie ...

. Their seventh album, ''Bear With Us'' was released on October 22, 2021 to high acclaim 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. 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

Supertramp Supertramp were a British rock band formed in London in 1970. Marked by the individual songwriting of founders Roger Hodgson (vocals, keyboards and guitars) and Rick Davies (vocals and keyboards), the group were distinguished for blending p ...

Roger Hodgson Charles Roger Pomfret Hodgson (born 21 March 1950) is an English singer, musician and songwriter, best known as the former co-frontman and founding member of the progressive rock band Supertramp. Hodgson composed and sang the majority of the ba ...

Pink Floyd Pink Floyd are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1965. Gaining an early following as one of the first British psychedelic music, psychedelic groups, they were distinguished by their extended compositions, sonic experiments ...

Queen (band) Queen are a British Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1970 by Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), and Roger Taylor (Queen drummer), Roger Taylor (drums, vocals), later joined by John Deacon (bass). Their ...

David Bowie David Robert Jones (8 January 194710 January 2016), known as David Bowie ( ), was an English singer, songwriter and actor. Regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Bowie was acclaimed by critics and musicians, pa ...

The Civil Wars The Civil Wars were an American musical duo composed of Joy Williams and John Paul White. Formed in 2008, their style blended folk, country, and Americana, characterized by haunting harmonies and poignant lyrics. The duo gained recognition ...

Dream Theater Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 in Boston, Massachusetts. The band comprises John Petrucci (guitar), John Myung (bass), Mike Portnoy (drums), James LaBrie (vocals) and Jordan Rudess (keyboards). Dream Theat ...

Instrumentation

*Rob Skinner – Lead vocalist, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussion, keyboards *Sarah Skinner – Backing vocalist, saxophone (mainly

soprano saxophone The soprano saxophone is a small, high-pitched member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented in the 1840s by Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax. Built in B♭ an octave above the tenor saxophone (or rarely, slightly small ...

), 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

External links

Official Red Dirt Skinners website
{{Authority control English folk musical groups English singer-songwriters Musical groups established in 2011 2011 establishments in the United Kingdom Folk music duos Male–female musical duos Married couples Musical groups from South East England Musical groups from Ontario