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Guitars & Guided Missiles: Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter’s Extraordinary Career

Feb 4, 2025

Jeff 'Skunk' Baxter, a legendary guitarist from Steely Dan and a missile defense expert, shares his extraordinary journey. He explains the transition from crafting guitar solos to consulting for government agencies. Skunk reveals how his improvisational skills in music helped shape innovative defense strategies. He also discusses his experiences playing alongside musical legends, including the unexpected moments when defense meetings interrupted jam sessions. Dive into his insights about the connections between creativity in music and the complexities of global security.

28:41

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Episode guests

Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Jeff Baxter's journey exemplifies how creativity in music can seamlessly transition into innovative problem-solving in defense consulting.

The art of improvisation in music reflects the importance of internalizing melodies, emphasizing musical expression and communication skills among artists.

Deep dives

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Intro

1min

An Unlikely Journey: From Guitar Strings to Defense Strings

2min

Melodies and Missiles: A Dual Journey

10min

Behind the Scenes of Music and Beyond

4min

Creativity Amidst Global Tensions

12min

Engaging Podcast Promotions and Driving Safety

3min

Musical Reflections and Creative Collaborations

1min

Musical Reimaginings and Unusual Hobbies

5min

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.

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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…?

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FOLLOW SKUNK:

Website - jeffskunkbaxter.com

Facebook – SkunkBaxter

Instagram - @JeffSkunkBaxter

Album – Speed of Heat

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