"Spook Handy really understands how to write a good song that says something important."... Pete Seeger
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Spook addresses personal, political and spiritual issues through engaging and uplifting songs that come from both the giants of folk music Pete Seeger, Peter Paul and Mary, John Prine to name a few and his own ample supply of original compositions. The spirit of American folk music, its passion and sense of purpose, ring loud and clear in his concerts and its message seems more relevant today than ever, particularly at this critical turning point of American history.
This is the kind of music I want my kids to grow up with Billy Swanson ... (music aficionado)
www.spookhandy.com
Best Folk Artist 2004 - Bob Makin - Upstage Magazine
Best Folk Artist You've Never Heard Of - About.com 2006
Biography
MUSIC FOR ALL SOULS
Is it any wonder that Pete Seeger is singing one of Spook Handy's songs? Spook Handy has performed over 3000 concerts in his 23 years of performances, has written hundreds of songs, recorded 3 CDs with a 4th due out in the coming months, and now some of his own compositions are being performed by over a dozen other musicians.
Barry Gruber, Spook Handy, Peter Yarrow, Bethany Yarrow + Pete Seeger
at the Riverside Church, Manhattan, NY
Universal Peace Day, Aug 5, 2005
photo by SuZen [email protected]
about Spook Handy.
Spook Handy spent most of the first six years of this particular lifetime growing up on a dead-end road in Montclair , New Jersey . At the end of the road Railroad Tracks proscribed Spooks domain of childhood play. Mom used to warn him that the tracks meant trouble and there would be severe consequences for playing there! But, beyond the tracks lay a whole world to wonder about - a world to someday explore and conquer. Spook made up all kinds of stories about what happened on the other side of the tracks. Thus, in his formative years, he learned that his imagination and creativity thrived on the other side of trouble.
Naturally, when Mom wasnt looking Spook wandered up to the edge of the tracks and one day took a walk to the other side. At the young age of six he learned that his life was to be lived in the world or creativity and imagination. And for him, the only way to get there was through trouble. So, when he graduated from Rutgers University , Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in math and business, Spook turned down several lucrative job offers in the actuarial field and bought his first guitar a $50 used Yamaha acoustic.
Within weeks , Howard Schwartz, banjo player in the legendary bluegrass/country rock band Wood N Strings serendipitously moved next door and days after that Spook was working as sound technician and manager of the band. By summers end, Spook could strum a few chords and so formed his first duo called the K-9s (who played mostly dog songs) with his buddy Carl Alderson and soon started an open mic at the college pub. He now runs New Jersey s longest running open mic The Spook Handy Show with over 995 nights under its belt. In 1986, Spook co-founded his first full band, the widely acclaimed Love Project and in 1989 formed a separate project Be Here Now. Spook played his first professional solo performance in 1989 and by 1991 left his bands to travel solo on his first tour a 5-month sojourn through most of the 50 states.
about Spook's Music.
The theme's of Spook's songs range from spiritual to songs about social responsibility, sometimes blatant, sometimes covert and are full of fictitious and real characters who have walked through his life. Farmer Josh in his song, "Vote" - nominated by Just Plain Folks for best traditional song in 2002 - is a caricature of one of Spook's early gurus. Sri Punkney in "The Guru Shuffle" is the invisible master of a secret spiritual cult that only existed in the inner worlds and to which Spook belonged for a short while. The settings of many Spook tunes come from the many part-time jobs he's had. They set the backdrop for his popular Christmas song, "Santa's Night Off", as well as " Paper Route " and "The Happy Song".
The best description of Spook's musical style comes from fellow songwriter briz who says: " The lyrical witt or John Prine, the humor of Arlo Guthrie, the sincerity of John Denver, the boldness of Bob Dylan and the courage of Pete Seeger meld into a cohesive unit that emerges full of hope and promise."
As a child his family had two contemporary albums - The Beatles' "Hard Day's Night" and "Peter, Paul and Mary in Concert." When he and his three siblings made believe they were the Beatles, Spook being the youngest and having last pick, always had to be Ringo. But that only strengthened his resolve to become the best songwriter and performer he could. In college, Spook discovered Donovan. Working with Wood N Strings he was exposed to the very best of bluegrass, country rock and fingerpicking folk and in the 90's he discovered Grammy nominee Bill Morrissey.
Spook has acquired a reputation for making his performances intimate interactive experiences for audiences to long remember. His music has been described as "Songs of peace, hope and survival." His recordings are said to "Make you want to get up and do the two-step, while the lyrics will put a smile on your face." And Spook himself has been called "a master of wit" and "worth listening to again and again."
Awards and accolades: Spook has performed dozens of prestigious festivals throughout America , including the Kerrville Folk Festival and Susquehanna Music and Arts Festival and has received numerous awards and accolades .