Skip Friel

Bio:

.. ..

Skip Friel offers a spirited performance that captures the art and joy of music. His 2007 album, Twilight Red Sky, features finely-crafted originals that are uplifting, inspiring, and go straight to the heart. He is at home in large, festival venues and intimate, acoustic-friendly stages.

Music Awards:

WINNER:
Best International Folk Song, 'Evergreens' 2008 Toronto Exclusive Magazine Awards

WINNER:
Best International Folk Song, 2008 Toronto Exclusive Magazine Awards

WINNER:
Best International Folk Male Artist, 2007 Toronto Exclusive Magazine Awards

RUNNER UP:
Best Acoustic Artist, 2008 Port Folio Magazine Music Awards

NOMINATED:
Best Folk Song, 2008 Indie Singer-Songwriter Song Contest

NOMINATED:
Song of the Year, 2009 Port Folio Magazine Music Awards

NOMINATED:
Best Americana Artist, 2009 Meona Outdoor Music Awards

NOMINATED:
Most Inspirational Artist, 2009 Port Folio Magazine Music Awards

NOMINATED:
Best Americana Band, 2009 Meona Outdoor Music Awards

NOMINATED:
Best Album, 2008 Port Folio Magazine Music Awards

NOMINATED:
Best International Folk Album, 2007 Toronto Exclusive Magazine Awards

HONORABLE MENTION:
Best Song, 2009 Unisong International Songwriting Contest

HONORABLE MENTION:
Best Song, 2007 We Are Listening Singer/Songwriter Awards

Quotes About Friel's Music:

Barry Graham, Folk Music Producer WHRV 89.5 FM
"His wonderful debut CD, ‘Twilight Red Sky,’ is full of gems, enabling the listener to truly feel the joy and pain that only a talented singer can convey. There’s a raw emotion to both Friel’s songwriting and performance. I was immediately impressed with the depth to which his music was able to resonate with me. ‘Twilight Red Sky’ is one of my top picks for 2007."

Jeff Maisey, The Virginian-Pilot, January 19th, 2007-
- "Virginia Beach singer/songwriter Skip Friel uses his ten-track CD, "Twilight Red Sky," to take listeners down the back roads of Americana. .... Friel's guitar work is exceptional. His voice recalls the tone and phrasing of Randy Newman, Leonard Cohen and, at times, Van Morrison. The mix of guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, pedal steel and violin is nearly perfect .... If radio station The Coast were still around, "Twilight Red Sky" would be a natural for heavy play list rotation."

Don Joyce, President, Toronto Exclusive Magazine
- "A very talented vocalist with a big and unique voice.”

Joyce Marie Morrin, Promotions Director WRRW FM 100.9
- "one of the most talented songwriters I have discovered"....."an awesome talent."

Jeff Maisey, The Virginian-Pilot, March 16th, 2007
- "Acoustic artist Skip Friel is no stranger to local radio."

Phyllis Speidell, Beacon, Compass, Clipper, Currents, June 10th, 2007
- “Local fans should especially appreciate one of Friel’s original tracks, Virginia Beach Blues."

Bill Bass, Port Folio Weekly, July 10th, 2007
- "Things are looking up for singer/songwriter Skip Friel."

Paul Shugrue, Alternative Music Producer, WHRV 89.5 FM, Dec. 13th, 2007
"Skip Friel is on my list of 2007 Best Local Artists."

DeAnne M. Bradley, Link, July 13th, 2008
- "Friel’s smoky vocals complement the band’s eclectic sound."

Radio Play for Skip’s Music:
WHRV 89.5 FM Norfolk
WFOS 88.7 FM Chesapeake
WPYA 93.7 BOB FM Norfolk
WRRW 100.9 FM Williamsburg
WNIS 790 AM Norfolk
WXMM 100.5 MAX FM Virginia Beach

Live Acoustic Sessions with Friel have aired on:
WHRV 89.5 FM on June 17, Sept 2 & Dec 23, 07'
WHRV 89.5 FM on Nov 16, Dec 21, 08'
WPYA 93.7 FM on March 18, 2007 & January 20, 08'
WRRW 100.9 FM on Febuary 17 and Dec 29, 07'

On-air interviews with Skip Friel and the Resonators are archived at WRRW FM 100.9 web site.

Member Since:

September 26, 2006

Members:

Song Award:

click to see Toronto Exclusive Awards webpage..

Skip's band of friends, The Resonators, is made up of the following:

Martin Somers -bass guitar, harmonica and background vocals.

Bob Simmons -percussion and hand drums.

Bob Rankin -lead guitar.

Eric Shaw -keyboards.

Charlie Austin -(associate member) violin.

Charlie Shugarman -(alternate) percussion and drums.

Skip Friel -songwriting, acoustic guitar, and lead vocals.

View Skip Friel's EPK.. .. .. .. ..Friel's 2007 album release, 'Twilight Red Sky'.. .. ..Friel's 2008 album release, 'Evergreen Christmas'.. ..also available at Birdland Records.. ..WHRV FM show 'Acoustic Highway' with host Barry Graham.. .. BOB FM 'Sunrise On Sunday' live session...  | 

Influences:

Stills, Segovia, Kottke, Sinatra, Steely Dan, Brian Wilson, Paul Simon, Neil Young, Jackson Brown, Randy Friel, The Atlantic Ocean, Irish melodies, Irish whiskey...

Sounds Like:

Leonard Cohen, John Mayer, Van Morrison, Springsteen, The Resonators

Record Label:

New Moon Music