Artist: Skip Ewing
Hometown: Dubois, Wyoming
Latest Album: DRAGONFLY (September 18, 2026)
Personal Nicknames: Skip is my nickname 🙂

How often do you hide behind a character in a song or use “you” when it’s actually “me”?

There’s no hiding for me whatsoever. I hope to create meaningful moments… for the listener. Perhaps I need to write a lyric for a woman to sing in order to create the piece and moment most effectively. But my life and spirit are still in it. If you can see or hear me in the words or characters, I’m honored you thought about the writer. Every song I write is filled entirely with my life experience (now more directly and palpably than ever). I can only write about what I know, or think I know, and project the breadth of my life experience into the relationships I illuminate. I endeavor to delve into where we are, beautifully, vulnerably, most similarly, and powerfully human.

Honestly, that can be scary as hell. This is true musically as well. The way something feels is often far beyond words, yet the words hold the lantern up. They beckon us to consider. They can sometimes validate our very existence or at least lift us up to feel seen, connected, involved, and even loved. Lyrics often encourage us to see our own life’s journey, our hopes, dreams and experiences. In a way, as listeners, we ride on our own horse along a similar, comfortingly familiar path and experience it as the same ride.

What’s the most difficult creative transformation you’ve ever undertaken?

After being in Nashville since high school, I got to a point in the early 2000s where I found myself artistically unfulfilled and challenged to be able to keep making a living in music. I wasn’t really ever “allowed” to be the artist I wanted to be. I’d written several hit songs for country artists, but I struggled to write specifically for radio at the time feeling like I couldn’t be true to myself. I began spending a huge amount of time horseback riding out west (specifically Wyoming) and began to realize the depth of connection that was possible with horses. What I really ended up learning was how much I didn’t know about myself and was even afraid to explore.

I began studying the intricacies and art of horsemanship. It was so inspirational for me that I ended up selling everything in Nashville and by about 2012 I was working with horses full time. After working for many ranches and private facilities, I began attending and ultimately offering clinics specific to horsemanship and the horse/human relationship. As you might surmise, this was a powerful, spiritual journey. It was transformational in many ways. Once I picked up my guitar again (I hadn’t ever really set it down, but it certainly took a back seat to horses) I realized all that I’d been through and learned had affected the way I approached my musical artistry, writing, and aspiration to connect with listeners and audiences in an even more profound manner.

That has led to a resurgence of my musical career most specifically as an artist, writing for myself, singing with my voice (that’s my physical voice and lyrical voice), an un-filtering of my heart, and willingness to share fearlessly, honestly, and authentically. I believe people are feeling and hearing that. It’s exciting that new listeners are responding as they are when they discover the new music. I’m more than grateful they’re responding as they are. It has given wings to what I have to offer now as the artist/writer I am now. The success of the music from the new DRAGONFLY album is a testament to that. I’m thankful beyond words for the growing listenership, radio airplay, and press we’re receiving!

What’s your favorite memory from being on stage?

I was part of a charity benefit at the Opry House and I remember Christopher Cross was singing “Ride Like The Wind” with Michael McDonald singing harmonies like he did on the record. I was standing in the wings with Liza Minnelli and Donna Summer. It was a bit surreal. What was really surreal is I ended up being asked to sing jazz standards with Liza and her piano player at a private gathering for the better part of the evening after that! Unforgettable 🙂

What’s one question you wish interviewers would stop asking you?

“Does pineapple really belong on pizza?” 😂

What is a genre, album, artist, musician, or song that you adore that would surprise people?

I don’t know if it would surprise people, but I have favorite songs and records from every genre I’ve listened to. For this question the names in parentheses are the artist and version, not the songwriter. Some examples are (in no particular order): “More Pretty Girls Than One” (Tony Rice & Ricky Skaggs), “Pipeliner Blues” (The Whites), “Walking in Your Footsteps” (The Police), “That’s All” (Genesis), “Hungry Eyes” (Merle Haggard), “Chega de Saudade” (Yo-Yo Ma), “Stardust” (Willie Nelson), “Hate to Lose Your Loving” (Little Feat), “Frozen Man” (James Taylor), “One Headlight” (The Wallflowers), “Good To Be Alive” (Andy Grammer), “Don’t Worry Be Happy” (Bobby McFerrin), “Perpetual Blues Machine” (Keb’ Mo’), “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” (Home Free), “I Can’t Make You Love Me” (Bonnie Raitt), SO many more, old and new.

Photo Credit: Linda Gordon Ewing