# 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.

## 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.
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, 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

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Association | Category | Nominated Work | Result |
| 2012 | British Blues Awards | Song of the Year | Cheap Champagne | Nominated |
| 2012 | British Blues Awards | Instrumentalist of the Year | Sarah Skinner | Nominated |
| 2013 | British Blues Awards | Song of the Year | The Neighbour's Rooster | Nominated |
| 2013 | British Blues Awards | Instrumentalist of the Year | Sarah Skinner | Runner-up |
| 2013 | Phoenix FM Awards | Instrumentalist of the Year | Sarah Skinner | Won |
| 2013 | British Country Music Awards | Horizon Act of the Year | Red Dirt Skinners | Runner-up |
| 2013 | British Country Music Awards | People's Choice | Red Dirt Skinners | Runner-up |
| 2013 | UK Country Radio Awards | Song of the Year | Mr Jones | Nominated |
| 2014 | UUK Country Radio Awards | Act of the Year | Red Dirt Skinners | Finalist |
| 2014 | British Blues Awards | Instrumentalist of the Year | Sarah Skinner | Won |
| 2014 | British Blues Awards | Acoustic Act of the Year | Red Dirt Skinners | Nominated |
| 2015 | British Blues Awards | 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 | Folk Song of the Year | Behind The Wheel | Semi-finalist |
| 2016 | International Acoustic Music Awards | Duo of the Year | Red Dirt Skinners | Nominated |
| 2016 | JUNO Awards | International Album of the Year | Behind The Wheel | Nominated |
| 2016 | Bluesdoodles Picks of 2016 | Folk/Roots/ Acoustic Album of the Year | Behind The Wheel | Won |
| 2018 | Bluesdoodles Picks of 2018 | Alternative Album of the Year | Under Utopian Skies | Won |
| 2018 | Music News Picks of 2018 | Album of the Year | Under Utopian Skies | Nominated |
| 2018 | International Acoustic Music Awards | Duo of the Year | Red Dirt Skinners | Nominated |
| 2021 | Music News Picks of 2021 | Album of the Year | Bear With Us | Nominated |
| 2024 | Allevents Awards | Indie Artist of the Year | Red Dirt Skinners | Won |