Spectacular Bio
Gayle Skidmore grew up deep-sea fishing with her grandpa in Puget Sound, WA. She dreamed up songs in driftwood houses that she built with her sisters, and spent hours running along the beach trying to save all of the jellyfish that had washed ashore. From an early age, she has known that songwriting is embedded in her soul and that she wants to create beautiful, moving songs that capture hearts that wash ashore and carry them back out to sea.
From deep in the core of her being flows an abundance of lyrics and melodies that she has crafted into over 1,500 songs and counting. Gayle accompanies herself on the piano, dulcimer, guitar and banjo, and composes string parts for her cellist and violinist. She has been performing as a singer-songwriter for 12 years, and released 6 independent albums since 2002. Gayle was the winner of the 2003 True American Records Songwriting Contest, and recently placed second in a San Diego songwriting contest for her song “Crazy.” Her most recent release, the Cowley Road E.P., was on the ballot for the ’09 Grammy’s for “Best Pop Album,” and her song Just For Now was up for “Best Pop Vocal Performance.”
To date, Gayle Skidmore has toured the west coast six times, and has toured the UK and Europe. She has been featured on nationally syndicated radio, and several television shows in the US and England. She has played festivals up and down the west coast including Cornerstone, Joshuafest and Tomfest. Gayle and her band have performed at such notable venues as the House of Blues, The Belly Up Tavern and L.A.’s Whisky A Go-Go, to name a few. She has recorded with many prominent artists, including Jason Mraz, The Softlightes, Bushwalla and Tyrone Wells, and is currently hard at work on her seventh album.
For this new album, Gayle reconnected with Paper Box producer Preston Parsons and is venturing into the world of rock, though she retains her own unique bent. Set to be released in the fall of 2009, this album highlights Gayle’s versatility as an artist and musician. Gayle plays over ten instruments throughout the album, including the glockenspiel and the folk harp.
Gayle has remained focused on what producer Aaron Bowen calls her ability to “make music art again.” Her song Paper Box is a prime example of her knack for metaphor and her ear for harmonies. She has an uncanny ability to achieve a catchy and singable song without sacrificing her heart and artistry to the gods of pop. You can listen to her music at www.gayleskidmore.com or hear it on San Diego’s FM 94/9 and FM 102.1.