“The Ashtabula River Railroad Disaster” by Gayle Skidmore

“The Ashtabula River Railroad Disaster” by Gayle Skidmore

San Diego-based artist Gayle Skidmore is set to release her highly anticipated neoclassical album, “The Ashtabula River Railroad Disaster”, on April 4, 2025. Known for her hauntingly beautiful piano compositions and emotive performances, Skidmore’s new album is a deeply personal and historically rich exploration of one of America's most tragic events: the collapse of a railroad bridge in Ashtabula, Ohio, in December 1876. The disaster claimed the lives of 92 people, including Skidmore’s relative, renowned hymn writer Philip P. Bliss.

This eleven-track album is an evocative journey through both the human tragedy and the historical significance of the event, blending delicate, intricate melodies with deeply emotional compositions. Skidmore’s piano work captures the sorrow, resilience, and humanity at the heart of the disaster. The album is also a tribute to her grandmother, who passed away in 2019, and who was proud of their family’s connection to Bliss.

After eight years in the Netherlands, Skidmore is thrilled to be back home in San Diego. She shares, "After eight years in the Netherlands, I'm very happy to be back in San Diego. Living there was very isolating for me, and while that provided the opportunity to work on many projects, I'm extremely glad to be back home with the supportive music community that's still here for me after so many years away."

The Ashtabula River Railroad Disaster was born out of Skidmore’s deep connection to the historical tragedy and her family’s ties to Bliss. Skidmore explains, “I grew up hearing about Philip P. Bliss and singing the songs he composed, but never knew how he had tragically perished until I discovered the details during the Covid-19 lockdown. Every account of the disaster that I came across was incredibly moving and emotional, and I felt affected by the story."

The album’s creation process was deeply influenced by Skidmore’s Patreon community, where she was able to experiment with new styles and receive feedback before embarking on this ambitious project. "Patreon gave me the platform to experiment with all kinds of styles of songs, and I tried out a few of these on my patrons before putting the album together," she notes. "It gave me a chance to see if anyone would be interested in this kind of a record from me, and the motivation to get the album done."

Produced and recorded by Skidmore in her home studio, The Ashtabula River Railroad Disaster is a solo piano album that breaks from her previous works. Skidmore reflects, "Not only is this album different because it is an entirely instrumental solo piano, but it is also focused on a singular historical event. I've never released anything like this before."

Skidmore’s classical background, evident in her piano playing since the age of four, shines through in the album. The inclusion of sheet music with the album adds a unique element, allowing fans to connect with the music on a deeper level. "The sheet music idea came about from years of many of my fans and friends expressing interest in playing my piano pieces," she explains. "They were a huge driving force behind this project."

The Ashtabula River Railroad Disaster captures moments of profound emotional depth, with standout tracks such as the album's second single, "The Last Farewell of Charles Collins and Amasa Stone," resonating deeply with Skidmore. "The best moments are those of musical frisson, which is when an emotion from the music gives you the chills, and that is what I hope for in composing," she says. The album's rawness, stemming from both the historical tragedy and Skidmore's connection to it, gives it a vulnerability and catharsis that was especially evident during its creation.

This album is not just a tribute to a historic event, but a look at the beauty in tragedy and the resilience of the human spirit. Skidmore concludes, "The theme of the album is how beauty and tragedy are intertwined in horrific events. There are elements in disaster that point us to the preciousness of life."

The Ashtabula River Railroad Disaster was released on April 4, 2025, marking the next chapter in Gayle Skidmore’s already storied career. With the album, Skidmore hopes to not only connect with fans of neoclassical music but also open new avenues for her musical expression, including film and TV composition. The album is poised to find its place in the evolving landscape of modern classical music, joining the likes of Ludovico Einaudi, Yann Tiersen, and Chad Lawson.

For more information, contact Alex Steininger @ In Music We Trust PR

alex@inmusicwetrust.com