The Red Dirt Skinners are coming to Wynndel on May 26.

This astounding duo is making a welcome return to the stage after a prolonged illness in 2022/23. For fans of Pink Floyd, Supertramp, Simon and Garfunkel, Queen, David Bowie, and similar, this highly original multi-award winning, multi-genre band should be on your bucket list!

The Red Dirt Skinners are known and loved throughout Canada and the U.K. for their heartwarming stories and awe-inspiring concerts. Theirs is a high-energy show of sublime musicianship. This act are the Real Deal and make genuine connections with their audiences wherever they play. Their recent 14 date tour of Ontario was completely sold out, with some shows selling out months in advance.

Sarah Skinner sings backing vocals and plays soprano sax. Her playing has won her such accolades as Instrumentalist of the Year at the British Blues Awards and placed her alongside some of the biggest names in the Wikipedia list of notable soprano saxophonists. In August of 2022, Sarah caught Covid and struggled to shake it, leaving her breathless and unable to walk more than a minute or two, let alone be able to play the sax.

Sarah began recovering slowly, but in October of 2022, her health took a turn for the worse, and she found herself unable to take deep breaths at all. Her doctor diagnosed her with Long Covid and suggested that she begin looking for a new career. As someone who has been on stage since the age of six, this was a devastating blow to Sarah, and the career of the Red Dirt Skinners began to hang in the balance.

Over the next few months, Sarah’s health worsened, and she began to suspect that something was seriously wrong with her lungs. From her talks with other long Covid sufferers, she found that people were slowly beginning to improve, whilst her condition worsened. Eventually, she was referred to a specialist. CT scans showed a partial collapse of both lungs due to a bacterial infection, and she was given antibiotics.

Within two days, Sarah was out running, able to play the sax and feeling 100%. The turnaround in her health was nothing short of miraculous.

The Red Dirt Skinners’ show at Wynndel Community Centre marks another stop on the hugely popular duo’s return to the stage.

Rob Skinner (lead vocals and guitar) describes their relief; “It’s the only job we have ever loved. Since Sarah has been playing again, I’ve seen her play with astonishing passion and energy. We are thrilled that 2024 is shaping up to be our busiest year yet.

Expect to be taken on a musical journey that will stay with you for weeks after the concert. The Red Dirt Skinners combine heartfelt storytelling with world-class musicianship and vocal harmonies that will steal your heart. Their latest album ranked in Music News Magazine’s Top 20 of 2021 (alongside Adele and Taylor Swift).

Tickets for all of Red Dirt Skinners shows, including their show at Wynndel Community Centre can be purchased from reddirtskinners.com/tour-dates

If you’re looking for an incredible night of the intimacy of campfire stories coupled with musicianship worthy of Massey Hall, this is the show for you.

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