Revisiting A Childhood Dream

Like millions of other people, back in February 1964, a young Lee Skolnick, 10 years old at the time, was glued to the television when The Beatles performed on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”

“It changed my life,” said Skolnick, who immediately wanted to learn how to play the guitar. Back then, more than anything, it just seemed like a great way to meet girls, he said, judging by the throngs of fans swarming The Beatles wherever they went.

Now known for his architectural contributions to the community, evident in the Children’s Museum of the East End in Bridgehampton and, more recently, The Church in Sag Harbor, Skolnick never lost sight of his musical journey, one that has led him to host an increasingly popular show on WLNG called “The Originals.”

It was his work as an architect that brought him down the path to WLNG. As one of so many who fled New York City when the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic was pointing at a shutdown, he and his family decided to ride it out at their Sag Harbor home. That summer, he was invited to be a guest on the WLNG show “Lunch on the Deck,” hosted by the station’s owner, Bill Evans, and Jessica Ambrose, to talk about architecture. For no good reason, he said, “I brought my guitar.”

What was supposed to be a one-and-a-half-hour segment became twice that after talking and playing songs. A few days later, Evans called Skolnick to say the segment got a very positive response and asked him if he’d be interested in doing a show of his own.

Characteristically modest, Skolnick hedged a bit at first but then suggested that a show that focused on East End bands, many left without a place to perform with the rampant shutdowns, might make for an interesting half hour. That was soon increased to a full hour and moved from its Sunday morning slot to Sunday evenings, considered prime listening time.

It “was my adolescent fantasy finally coming true,” said Skolnick.

The format of easy conversation with a musician, alternating with live performances of original pieces, and something of Skolnick’s own to lead it all off, the show is enlightening and entertaining at the same time.

“I have had so many revelations since starting the show,” said Skolnick, the first being that “the depth and breadth of musical talent on the East End is astounding.”

While the show is dedicated to established and up-and-coming full time local East End musicians, Jimmy Buffett has been on to talk music, as has G.E. Smith. Both have homes on the South Fork.

As the popularity of the show has increased, he’s now getting unsolicited proposals for appearances. “They ask me, ‘What’s the format?’” said Skolnick, to which he replies, “I don’t know … it just rolls.”

It’s all about the music, he said, noting that he went to college to study music theory and composition but began to take courses in everything at the liberal arts college he was attending in upstate New York.

“I’d wake up on Monday convinced one thing” was the right career path, “and then I’d wake up on Tuesday and it was another.” That was, until he took an elective in architectural history and theory. “It was like being struck by lightning,” he said.

“Architecture is the synthesis of every other discipline … and you integrate them into what you do,” he said, adding that it’s also a creative outlet.

For Skolnick, architecture is a calling, having made a name for himself internationally for his designs that integrate architecture, exhibition design and education.

But music has always been a part of who he is, as he has played in many bands and performed solo. The $40 investment his father made in his son’s creative future with the purchase of a guitar has paid off, for Skolnick and for those who listen in on “The Originals.”

“I am the greatest recipient of the benefits of the show,” said Skolnick.

Listeners might argue the point.

Tune in to “The Originals” on Sundays at 8 p.m. on WLNG-92.1 FM.