Jeff "Skunk" Baxter is a missile defense expert and a counter-terrorist authority who has consulted for Congressional Committees, the Pentagon, and the US intelligence community… he’s also a legendary guitarist who performed that sick solo on “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number”. Really, no Really! Skunk is universally recognized as a legendary guitarist. Best-known for his work with Steely Dan (as a founding member) and the Doobie Brothers, his versatility and highly developed technique as a soloist made him a hugely in-demand session guitarist from the '70s on to today. In the mid-1980s, a series of chance encounters led Baxter to a second career working in the defense industry where his natural ability to look at existing technologies and to see alternate ways to use them, led to multiple security clearances and contracts consulting for a litany of major intelligence and defense agencies. *** IN THIS EPISODE: Explaining how musicians translate improvised melodies on stage from their mind to their fingers. Discovering his would-be passion – playing the guitar. How a founding member of Steely Dan end up being a missile defense thought maker. Predicting why and how the bad guys do what they do. What happens when government agents need you when you’re playing with Ringo Starr? Explaining Russia’s motivations in 5 seconds. Were Steely Dan’s founding members really taskmasters? What makes for a good rock solo? Insight into working with Elton John, Donna Summer, Eric Clapton, Dolly Parton and more… The difference between a good guitar player and an excellent one is…? *** FOLLOW SKUNK: Website - jeffskunkbaxter.com Facebook – SkunkBaxter Instagram - @JeffSkunkBaxter Album – Speed of Heat *** FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY: www.reallynoreally.com Instagram YouTube TikTok Facebook Threads X See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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