Skip Martin is a Grammy Award winning artist, songwriter, producer and author, best known for his tenure as a lead singer and trumpeter for two legendary groups, Kool & the Gang and The Dazz Band.
His achievements include MOBO Outstanding Achievement Award, Platinum & Gold Record recipient, R&B Song of the Year, six consecutive Top 100 albums, two Top 100 singles, to name a few.
Mr. Martin has also received an Honorary Degree of Doctor in Music, several Certificates of Appreciation for his numerous tours to Iraq and Kuwait and is a Special Honorary Member of the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band. In addition, Skip is Goodwill Ambassador to both Kakegawa City and Okinawa in Japan. This is the very first time a resident of a foreign country has received this honor in Okinawa.
Skip’s endeavors don’t end with just music. He writes books, travels the world documented in his vlog #tripwithskip, loves to fish, hike and enjoys every aspect of nature.
Jon Paul Starling is the director of Choral Activities at Henderson Independent School District in Henderson, Texas. His choirs have sung in Carnegie Hall, in New York City. His vocal and piano students have won numerous awards and accolades at the state and national levels. Jon Paul is a gifted vocalist and pianist who is a frequent guest of symphonies, churches and service groups throughout the nation. He is the owner and lead instructor at the Starling Music Academy in Henderson, Texas.
Sandra Siler is Skip's business partner and manager for USA events. Ms. Siler holds a Master's Degree of Art in Piano Performance from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and was Head of Piano Instruction at Kilgore College in the city of Kilgore, Texas, for twenty-five years. Sandra's former students are employed by prestigious universities throughout the nation. Her love for music, performance, people and collaborating with others makes her the perfect complement for Skip's endeavors.