Last Sunday more than 400 music fans flocked to 18th & Boston in Tulsa for the sixth annual Tom Skinner Skyline Music Fest, lovingly nicknamed Skinnerfest. They were treated to songs and stories from more than 40 Oklahoma musicians in songwriter-in-the-round and full band sets that filled the neighborhood with music all day. The festival raised $15,354 to support grant funds for Oklahoma musicians in crisis.
The day got off to a high-energy start when King Cabbage Brass Band took the stage at Venue Shrine as VIP guests enjoyed a Cajun brunch from The Bachelor’s Table food truck and bloody marys from Provisions Fine Beverage. The set ended when the band let a spirited group waving napkins overhead in a second-line parade across 18th Street to the Mercury Lounge where the festival kicked off with the Women of Song: Monica Taylor, Ken Pomeroy, Kalyn Fay and Briana Wright. A video of this moment, along with videos of sets streamed from both venues throughout the day, can be viewed at the Red Dirt Relief Fund Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/reddirtrelieffund
The sunny day continued with musician pairings of Skinner’s friends, including John Fullbright, Wink Burcham, Mike McClure, Bryon White and more, and raucous full-band sets from Science Project Band, Chris Jones & the Flycatchers and Red Dirt Rangers & Friends.
After going virtual in 2020 due to COVID, the festival returned in-person with fervor. “Everyone from the musicians and venues to sponsors and fans were so excited to be together again for an amazing day of Oklahoma music. The weather was ideal for bouncing between venues, and the love was palpable,” said Red Dirt Relief Fund Executive Director Katie Dale.
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 $500,000 to more than 900 music people in 38 Oklahoma counties including $279,000 in COVID relief grants since last March.
Skinnerfest was presented by Tulsa Dental Center, a partner that provides low-cost care to Oklahoma musicians and their families, with support from additional sponsors including The Collaborative, White Claw, Vast Bank, 33rd St. Studios, Horton Records, Radish, Broken Arrow Brewing Company, Provisions Fine Beverage and KOSU.
Photos by renowned Tulsa photographer, Phil Clarkin, documenting the day can be seen here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/vos84zoyk5uot7c/AAA2aV7hi5Q0_33mZvxsKhAAa?dl=0
