On Sunday, October 13th, more than 50 Oklahoma musicians gathered at 18th and Boston in Tulsa to play the ninth annual “Skinnerfest” celebrating the life and songwriting tradition of Oklahoma Music Hall of Famer, Tom Skinner. The funds raised at the festival allowed Red Dirt Relief Fund to put $13,310 directly in artist and production workers’ pockets and put $26,037 in their Emergency Financial Assistance Fund—funding more than eight individual maximum annual grants to aid music creators facing unavoidable emergencies.
Skinnerfest 2024 kicked off with a raucous edition of Bluegrass Brunch with Johnny Mullenax and Friends at Mercury Lounge. Presented by The Collaborative Coffee, brunch included a BBQ feast from Alley Cat Ranch, complimentary coffee, cocktails and White Claw. Soon after the outdoor all-ages “Family Stage” kicked off with music from Tulsa family favorite, Hot Toast. The Family Stage, new to the festival this year with support from a Tulsa Vision Arts 5 grant, featured a lineup of local rising music students under the tutelage of local gigging musicians in a carnival atmosphere of free games and activities from local vendors—there were even baby goats to pet!
The day continued with memorable sets like the Wednesday Science Project Tribute to Don Morris, who was honored in the festival’s artwork with his silhouette in Tom Skinner’s sunglasses. Other highlights included Matt Axton & Bad Moon performing “Never Been to Spain,” written by Matt’s father, Hoyt Axton, followed by a set from Pilgrim featuring John Fullbright who roused the crowd to raise their arms and sing “Saved” during that Tom Skinner tune. Even after 10 hours of music, fans crowded into The Colony, longtime home of Tom’s Wednesday Science Project, for the afterparty with Paul Benjaman and friends!
Tom Skinner was often quoted for his description of Red Dirt music as “more of a brotherhood and a community thing than it is necessarily a style.” This festival seeks to celebrate that community in a safe festival atmosphere that will surprise music fans of all genres by showcasing all Oklahoma talent. Skinner was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame just four months before his death on July 12, 2015.
Red Dirt Relief Fund is a non-profit organization that provides a safety net of critical assistance to Oklahoma music professionals. Since it began in 2012, Red Dirt Relief Fund has granted over $900,000 to more than 800 music creators in 39 Oklahoma counties including $305,000 in COVID relief grants.
Skinnerfest is supported by Tulsa Vision Arts 5, The Collaborative, Tulsa Dental Center, Tulsa Film, Music, Arts & Culture, White Claw/LDF and Cardinal Rule Insurance.
Visit reddirtrelieffund.org/skinnerfest, friend Red Dirt Relief Fund on Facebook or follow @reddirtrelief for more festival photos, videos and more information.
For media inquiries, please contact Katie Dale at reddirtrelieffund@gmail.com or 918-407-4599.
