Spook Handy – “Music for All Souls”

 

          Spook Handy was no musical genius as a kid. He played no instrument, owned no records, and didn’t even have a radio until he was in high school. In fact, he didn’t make the first cut when he tried out for Glee Club in 5th grade.
But he had a dream and a love for music that dates back to his first time watching the Beatles perform on TV. That day a seed was planted – a vision, a possibility of still being a fun loving person when he grow up. And little was anyone to know that one day that seed would sprout.

It happened on a stiflingly humid New Jersey morning the summer after graduating Rutgers University (Phi Beta Kappa) with a major in Math and Business. Spook had been offered several lucrative jobs in the actuarial field. He had been groomed for this career by his parents and teachers because he was good at math as a child. He had three job interviews lined up for the day. But Spook always carried with him a lust for living “outside the box.” His “what if” and “why not” questions raised many eyebrows. His unorthodox religious perspectives got him kicked out of Catholic school after 1st grade. And somewhere in the back of his mind he never gave up on that dream, that vision. So, on that fateful morning as he stood in the mirror hopelessly trying to tie his tie, a sudden and unforgiving truth overwhelmed him. The world of convention was not his fate. Sure, math came easy. But his lessons were to be learned through his heart, not his mind. That day, he threw his suit and tie in the garbage, bought a used Yahama guitar for $50 and set out to follow his heart’s dream.

          Today, Spook has 4 full length CDs to his credit with a 5th on its way. He has written for film and theatre. His songs have charted as high as #10 on the Folk Radio Charts. He has toured throughout North America playing over 3000 concerts. And he has MCed over 1300 events including open mics and festivals, facilitated scores of workshops and presented lecture/concerts on the Power of Song at colleges and universities. He has performed dozens of times with Pete Seeger and has shared the stage with the likes of Peter Yarrow and Donovan.

Genuine Human Interaction

“The audience was with you every step of the way. You enthralled (them) with your exceptional musical talents and warm, charismatic personality.” ….Gwendolyn Jones - Garden State Storytellers’ League.

          Audiences can’t help but participate in Spook’s concerts. They laugh at his stories, sing along with his songs and can’t wait to chat with him after the show. In concert halls and people’s living rooms, Spook shares the pearls of everyday life and extraordinary experiences through songs that come from both the giants of folk music and his own ample supply of original compositions. He has been described as “a troubadour in the style of Pete Seeger and Phil Ochs” (Jim Beckerman - The Bergen Record), and “a messenger of peace, hope and understanding.” His songs tell the story of contemporary America through the people he's met, places he's been and predicaments he’s found himself in - both in his own backyard and in his travels. His easy going manner invites people to step out of their own boxes, open their hearts, engage their imaginations and get involved.

“Exceedingly pleasant and fun to hear.” …. Grant Hogarth, KRCL, Salt Lake City, Utah

Good Honest Acoustic Music

          Spook can be heard in venues of almost all stripes, from festivals and arts centers to senior centers and churches – from TV and radio to libraries and schools. With a simple Martin D-35 guitar, harmonica, his own voice and the voices of the audience, Spook presents concerts of good honest acoustic songs that are true to the spirit, passion of purpose of American folk music. He sings about the local Mom and Pop’s store, the widow of a soldier, the landscape of Montana, economic hardship, dogs with fleas, and so many other experiences that everybody can relate to in one way or another.

Connected to the Roots

“Spook Handy brings to the stage an awareness and respect for the history and origins of the music. His enthusiasm, music and stories are infectious and draw the audience into the show.”
…. Dan & Marianne Jackson of the Forksville Folk Festival

          In recent years, Spook has shared the stage dozens of times with the "grandfather of American folk music" Pete Seeger. Their meeting and finding common cause is quite an unexpected odyssey. Spook grew up in a rather conservative household. His mom did her best to be open to contemporary music and being as open minded as she could, she bought two albums for the family to listen to: The Beatles “Hard Days Night” and Peter Paul and Mary’s “In Concert.” The day Spook “had a hammer” in his hand and started hitting the furniture with it, his mom realized that “rock and roll can be dangerous to young minds” and that was the end of the experiment. But the seed was planted. Not everyone hears the influence of the Beatles in Spook’s music, but the influence of Peter Paul and Mary is unavoidable. Still, Spook had no idea that a fellow by the name of Pete Seeger wrote many of the songs he grew up loving or that Pete was such an influence on all of contemporary folk music. But in 2003, Pete heard Spook’s song “Vote” and added it to his repertoire. That October, he invited Spook to share the stage with him at a small festival in Beacon, NY. Spook was quite taken by Pete’s generosity of spirit, his interaction with the audience and the sense of purpose behind his songs. Here was someone living so many of the values that Spook held himself.

As the years pass, Spook continues to learn more and more from this songwriting and performing genius. Surely, it is only a fraction of what Pete has mastered. But it’s enough for Spook to know how important it is to carry on and build on the tradition of the great masters of American folk music.

“Spook’s songs embody the same intellectual rattle and simple honesty that have characterized so much of (Pete) Seeger’s career.”
…. Kim Ruehl - About.com

“Spook Handy really understands how to write a good song that says something important.”
.....Pete Seeger

“What a joy your music is! If you need a reference, don’t hesitate!” ..... Josh Dunson, manager for Peggy Seeger, Si Kahn and others.

www.spookhandy.com            This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.           www.facebook.com/spookhandy          732-418-1340