ABBA

Multi-instrumentalist from Long Island, New York, who relocated to Los Angeles, California, and has carved out an impressive career as a session musician.

Some of the groups he has worked with include The Bandini Brothers, Firefall, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Rancho Deluxe, and The Sin City All-Stars.

His recordings have been eclectic, to say the least: Consider 1975’s Two Sides of the Moon by Keith Moon, 1977’s Luna Sea by Firefall, and 1990’s If There Was a Way by Dwight Yoakam.

In fact, Skip has been a longtime collaborator with Dwight, and a good example of his versatility is 2005’s Blame the Vain, on which he multi-tasked on guitar, organ, pedal steel, piano synthesizer, and Wurlitzer, as well as arranging the strings. (He is even credited with handclapping.) Seemingly a one-man band, he did similar duties on Pete Anderson’s 2004 album, Daredevil, again playing a variety of keyboard instruments, as well as adding an accordion and tuba into the mix.

Artists with whom he has performed include Thomas Dolby, Sara Evans, Chris Hillman, Tom Jones, k.d. lang, Eddie Money, Morrisey, Roy Orbison, Johnny Rivers, and Bruce Willis. His TV credits are equally impressive and include appearances on American Bandstand, Late Night with David Letterman, The Midnight Special, Saturday Night Live, and The Tonight Show.

Many associate him with the accordion, but he is a four-time CMA award-winner in the category of Best Keyboard. He won the same award from the Academy of Country Music in 1989.

Recent years have found him active with Lisa Haley & the Zydecats. He has frequently teamed up with Heather Myles and can be heard on Highways and Honky Tonks, Sweet Talk & Good Lies, and Untamed. For more exposure to this versatile artist, check out More Northern Exposure: More Music from Northern Exposure.

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