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 historyWeale, Darren. "Interview with the Red Dirt Skinners", Blues in Britain, London, October 2013 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
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.
The duo's ninth album, Compound Energy has a release date of October 9, 2026
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 2022 Live In 2021 2026 Compound Energy
Awards and nominations Year Association Category Nominated work Result 2012 British Blues Awards Song of the Year Cheap Champagne 2012 British Blues Awards Instrumentalist of the Year Sarah Skinner 2013 British Blues Awards Song of the Year The Neighbour's Rooster 2013 British Blues Awards Instrumentalist of the Year Sarah Skinner 2013 Phoenix FM Awards Instrumentalist of the Year Sarah Skinner 2013 British Country Music AwardsUK Country Radio website no longer active Horizon Act of the Year Red Dirt Skinners 2013 British Country Music Awards People's Choice Red Dirt Skinners 2013 UK Country Radio Awards Song of the Year Mr Jones 2014 UUK Country Radio Awards Act of the Year Red Dirt Skinners 2014 British Blues Awards Instrumentalist of the Year Sarah Skinner 2014 British Blues Awards Acoustic Act of the Year Red Dirt Skinners 2015 British Blues Awards Instrumentalist of the Year Sarah Skinner 2015 UK Americana Music Association Awards UK Artist of the Year Red Dirt Skinners 2015 UK Americana Music Association Awards UK Instrumentalist of the Year Sarah Skinner 2016 UK Songwriting Awards Folk Song of the Year Behind The Wheel 2016 International Acoustic Music Awards Duo of the Year Red Dirt Skinners 2016 JUNO Awards International Album of the Year Behind The Wheel 2016 Bluesdoodles Picks of 2016 Folk/Roots/ Acoustic Album of the Year Behind The Wheel 2018 Bluesdoodles Picks of 2018 Alternative Album of the Year Under Utopian Skies 2018 Music News Picks of 2018 Album of the Year Under Utopian Skies 2018 International Acoustic Music Awards Duo of the Year Red Dirt Skinners 2021 Music News Picks of 2021 Album of the Year Bear With Us 2024 Indie Artist of the Year by AllEvents Indie Artist of the Year Red Dirt Skinners
References
External links Official Red Dirt Skinners website