Guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter was an original Steely Dan member who played on the band's indelible first three albums: Can’t Buy a Thrill, Countdown to Ecstasy and Pretzel Logic. Those are his memorable solos on “My Old School” and “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number.” When Steely Dan quit touring, he found more success with the Doobie Brothers and eventually brought in singer Michael McDonald, who pushed that band in a more soulful, keyboards-heavy direction. Skunk left to do more studio and touring work and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the Doobies. After all these years, he finally released his first-ever solo album, Speed of Heat. Oh, and in his "day job," he games out war scenarios for the U.S. government. He has a lot to reel in in this ear-opening Caropop conversation.