Skip Friel

Skip Friel "Passage." Virginia Beach singer-songwriter Skip Friel knows that music isn't a footrace. While he's been performing on and off for decades, "Passage" is just his second solo album. His first was 2007's "Twilight Red Sky." Polished and thoughtfully constructed, "Passage" benefits from Friel's patient attention to detail. His good-natured songs fit comfortably into the modern singer-songwriter format. Hammond organ swells and bursts of fiddle lend support to sturdy melodies. Acoustic guitars ring pleasantly atop a firm rhythmic foundation. Friel's deep, textured voice reminds me of a mellow Robert Earl Keen or a countrified Graham Parker. Of course, too much competence can be as dangerous as too little. Friel's album could not be described as lively. Relaxed would be more on target. Highlights include "Harvest of Love," the Celtic-tinged "Another Island" and "Dose of Hope," which extols the wisdom of not sweating the small stuff. "All the fruit will fall to the ground one day," Friel sings. "It'll grow again without us anyway ... you let go and the world did not unwind." - The Daily Press, July 2012

Skip Friel "Passage." Virginia Beach singer-songwriter Skip Friel knows that music isn't a footrace. While he's been performing on and off for decades, "Passage" is just his second solo album. His first was 2007's "Twilight Red Sky." Polished and thoughtfully constructed, "Passage" benefits from Friel's patient attention to detail. His good-natured songs fit comfortably into the modern singer-songwriter format. Hammond organ swells and bursts of fiddle lend support to sturdy melodies. Acoustic guitars ring pleasantly atop a firm rhythmic foundation. Friel's deep, textured voice reminds me of a mellow Robert Earl Keen or a countrified Graham Parker. Of course, too much competence can be as dangerous as too little. Friel's album could not be described as lively. Relaxed would be more on target. Highlights include "Harvest of Love," the Celtic-tinged "Another Island" and "Dose of Hope," which extols the wisdom of not sweating the small stuff. "All the fruit will fall to the ground one day," Friel sings. "It'll grow again without us anyway ... you let go and the world did not unwind." - The Daily Press, July 2012

“the band plays covers as well as originals written by Friel” - Virginian-Pilot, Feb. 15th, 2007

“the band plays covers as well as originals written by Friel” - Virginian-Pilot, Feb. 15th, 2007

Local fans should especially appreciate one of Friel’s tracks, ‘Virginia Beach Blues.’ - The Beacon, June 10th, 2007

Local fans should especially appreciate one of Friel’s tracks, ‘Virginia Beach Blues.’ - The Beacon, June 10th, 2007

Things are looking up for singer/songwriter Skip Friel.
"I might have found a friend in radio," says Friel. "For the last two Sundays, on his show ‘Acoustic Highway,’ Barry Graham has played several songs off my CD, Twilight Red Sky."
Graham, who is the folk music producer at 89.5FM WHRV said, "There’s a raw emotion to Skip 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 picks for 2007."
Friel has a number of dates this month including Friday, July 13 at Crazy Wing Cantina, in Chesapeake and Friday, July 20, at the Green Parrot Grille, in Chick’s Beach.
- Port Folio Weekly, July 10th, 2007

Things are looking up for singer/songwriter Skip Friel.
"I might have found a friend in radio," says Friel. "For the last two Sundays, on his show ‘Acoustic Highway,’ Barry Graham has played several songs off my CD, Twilight Red Sky."
Graham, who is the folk music producer at 89.5FM WHRV said, "There’s a raw emotion to Skip 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 picks for 2007."
Friel has a number of dates this month including Friday, July 13 at Crazy Wing Cantina, in Chesapeake and Friday, July 20, at the Green Parrot Grille, in Chick’s Beach.
- Port Folio Weekly, July 10th, 2007

Skip Friel continues to hear material from his "Twilight Red Sky" spun on Barry Graham's "Acoustic Highway" program on WHRV.
"I might have found a friend in radio," said Friel. "For the last two Sundays, Graham has played several songs off my CD."
Also, music from Friel's CD is being used in an ad for the Back Bay Restoration Foundation Fundraiser (the 22nd Annual Flyway Feast, June 23rd).
Friel says the songs are used as background music. One such ad is scheduled Sunday morning during the "Sunrise On Sunday" acoustic radio show on BOB FM.
- HamptonRoads.com June 16th, 2007

Skip Friel continues to hear material from his "Twilight Red Sky" spun on Barry Graham's "Acoustic Highway" program on WHRV.
"I might have found a friend in radio," said Friel. "For the last two Sundays, Graham has played several songs off my CD."
Also, music from Friel's CD is being used in an ad for the Back Bay Restoration Foundation Fundraiser (the 22nd Annual Flyway Feast, June 23rd).
Friel says the songs are used as background music. One such ad is scheduled Sunday morning during the "Sunrise On Sunday" acoustic radio show on BOB FM.
- HamptonRoads.com June 16th, 2007

Hundreds of local musicians and fans turned up at the Granby Theater in downtown Norfolk last Thursday for the third annual Port Folio Weekly Local Music Awards. It was, as one of our staff members put it the next day, a "kick-booty show." Acoustic/Folk and Album of the Year nominees Skye Zentz and Skip Friel stole the show with their quirky version of Hall & Oates’ "Maneater," featuring Friel on acoustic guitar and Zentz on ukulele (and decked out in full-on funky Material Girl regalia). - Port Folio Weekly

Hundreds of local musicians and fans turned up at the Granby Theater in downtown Norfolk last Thursday for the third annual Port Folio Weekly Local Music Awards. It was, as one of our staff members put it the next day, a "kick-booty show." Acoustic/Folk and Album of the Year nominees Skye Zentz and Skip Friel stole the show with their quirky version of Hall & Oates’ "Maneater," featuring Friel on acoustic guitar and Zentz on ukulele (and decked out in full-on funky Material Girl regalia). - Port Folio Weekly

Skip Friel has done a lot for Folk Music in the area (Eastern Virginia) and is a great player. - Veer Magazine, January 2012

Skip Friel has done a lot for Folk Music in the area (Eastern Virginia) and is a great player. - Veer Magazine, January 2012

"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 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." - Virginian-Pilot, Jan. 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 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." - Virginian-Pilot, Jan. 19th, 2007

"Acoustic-pop artist Skip Friel, no stranger to local radio…” - Virginian-Pilot, March. 16th, 2007

"Acoustic-pop artist Skip Friel, no stranger to local radio…” - Virginian-Pilot, March. 16th, 2007

Hearty vocals lined with lush harmonies are at the forefront as The Resonators deliver a rare tone that’s energetic and gutsy. The trio features acoustic, bass, pedal steel guitar (PSG) and harmonica.

Guitarist Skip Friel exhibits unique playing styles that blend melodious picking with a silvery staccato strum. But that’s not the only feature that sets The Resonators apart from other groups. They have boldly and successfully married folk rock with Paul Shufer’s sweet, singing pedal steel guitar (PSG). “There’s no doubt that of late the PSG has become more widely used in music genres other than country,” Friel says. “We’re experiencing a heightened interest in the PSG.”

Shufer played several types of stringed instruments over the years before settling into the PSG. He is proof that pedal steel isn’t just for country anymore.

Bass man Martin Somers seems to have no problem wailing on a Dylan harmonica melody, belting out a ballad and thumping the bass all in the same song. Somers says of his music, “For me it’s a unique language—a tool to express myself in another way, or at a different level, if you will.”

The group has found a niche in local clubs. “We offer less volume than a rock band since we don’t use drums,” Friel explained. “A lot of patrons appreciate that they can talk across the table while we’re playing. At the same time we offer a richer sound than a solo act, without taking up much more space in the club.”

The band’s selection of popular folk rock, blues and progressive songs keep you guessing as they shift from covers to originals and from vintage to contemporary. The modern tunes include those by Dave Matthews, MB20, and Nickleback. The originals have a fresh vigorous tone and Friel delivers his lyrics with a transparent sincerity.

The trio are seasoned craftsmen, having played in clubs in their twenties, although not with each other. They re-entered the performing arena three years ago. “We’ve spent some effort finding our combined sound and at the same time have learned to showcase the best of each other,” Friel noted.

When asked why he performs, Friel says, “I love unleashing the natural rich woody sound from the acoustic guitar. For me it’s about tone. My ability is just a function of that. I like to think of myself as a locksmith releasing the guitar’s inherent sound.” Friel adds, “Honestly though, the folks I meet at gigs are the best part.”

Friel and Somers grew up in the same neighborhood and graduated from Princess Anne HS together. Somers says, “We became buds in the 10th grade and it was guitar playing that ignited our friendship. Somers adds, “We even went to the same college for a couple years.” Friel noted, “When Shufer hooked up with us in the late 90s it was like completing the circle. We’ve been like bros ever since.” Friel added jokingly, “When you play music with your best friends it tends to add a degree of caution and respect. What I mean is, you don’t want to risk losing a lifelong friend over who gets to shine in the next verse.”

When asked why they haven’t recorded their original songs, Friel said, “A CD would be nice but when we compare spending four hours in a studio playing one song, to four hours at a gig playing forty songs, we always choose the gig.”

The Resonators are not a typical band. They are certainly not following a formula and in their case that’s a good thing. If you haven’t seen them perform, you’re missing something worthwhile.
- Splash Magazine, August 2005

Hearty vocals lined with lush harmonies are at the forefront as The Resonators deliver a rare tone that’s energetic and gutsy. The trio features acoustic, bass, pedal steel guitar (PSG) and harmonica.

Guitarist Skip Friel exhibits unique playing styles that blend melodious picking with a silvery staccato strum. But that’s not the only feature that sets The Resonators apart from other groups. They have boldly and successfully married folk rock with Paul Shufer’s sweet, singing pedal steel guitar (PSG). “There’s no doubt that of late the PSG has become more widely used in music genres other than country,” Friel says. “We’re experiencing a heightened interest in the PSG.”

Shufer played several types of stringed instruments over the years before settling into the PSG. He is proof that pedal steel isn’t just for country anymore.

Bass man Martin Somers seems to have no problem wailing on a Dylan harmonica melody, belting out a ballad and thumping the bass all in the same song. Somers says of his music, “For me it’s a unique language—a tool to express myself in another way, or at a different level, if you will.”

The group has found a niche in local clubs. “We offer less volume than a rock band since we don’t use drums,” Friel explained. “A lot of patrons appreciate that they can talk across the table while we’re playing. At the same time we offer a richer sound than a solo act, without taking up much more space in the club.”

The band’s selection of popular folk rock, blues and progressive songs keep you guessing as they shift from covers to originals and from vintage to contemporary. The modern tunes include those by Dave Matthews, MB20, and Nickleback. The originals have a fresh vigorous tone and Friel delivers his lyrics with a transparent sincerity.

The trio are seasoned craftsmen, having played in clubs in their twenties, although not with each other. They re-entered the performing arena three years ago. “We’ve spent some effort finding our combined sound and at the same time have learned to showcase the best of each other,” Friel noted.

When asked why he performs, Friel says, “I love unleashing the natural rich woody sound from the acoustic guitar. For me it’s about tone. My ability is just a function of that. I like to think of myself as a locksmith releasing the guitar’s inherent sound.” Friel adds, “Honestly though, the folks I meet at gigs are the best part.”

Friel and Somers grew up in the same neighborhood and graduated from Princess Anne HS together. Somers says, “We became buds in the 10th grade and it was guitar playing that ignited our friendship. Somers adds, “We even went to the same college for a couple years.” Friel noted, “When Shufer hooked up with us in the late 90s it was like completing the circle. We’ve been like bros ever since.” Friel added jokingly, “When you play music with your best friends it tends to add a degree of caution and respect. What I mean is, you don’t want to risk losing a lifelong friend over who gets to shine in the next verse.”

When asked why they haven’t recorded their original songs, Friel said, “A CD would be nice but when we compare spending four hours in a studio playing one song, to four hours at a gig playing forty songs, we always choose the gig.”

The Resonators are not a typical band. They are certainly not following a formula and in their case that’s a good thing. If you haven’t seen them perform, you’re missing something worthwhile.
- Splash Magazine, August 2005

Toronto Exclusive magazine, which covers the city's arts scene, has named Virginia Beach musician Skip Friel as Best International Male Artist in it's 2007 awards. - The Beacon, The Compass, The Clipper, The Currents, The Sun, Nov. 25th, 2007