Wow! Where do I begin? I have been incredibly blessed with the many things I got to do with my music. I come from a town and a family that are so rich with music and history. First is a simple list of some of the things I got to do, then I will go into more detail below that.HIGHLIGHTS and LIST:I write songs as well as sing. Currently, I have two songs going into a movie.
I have recorded with some of Elvis Presley's Band, some of Merle Haggard's Band, some of the Desert Rose Band, some of Hwy 101 Band, and Al Perkins who was with many famous bands. I met most of those people through my long time friend Billy Mize.I have also recorded with many lesser known, but amazingly talented Bakersfield musicians: I had projects produced by Billy Mize, and Mark Yeary.I have also recorded background vocals for other artists.I have recorded with songwriter Wayne Carson, who remains one of my dearest friends.I was offered a management deal with Cliffie Stone,unfortunately he passed away before we were able to get it going.I have had the honor to work at many Bakersfiled Clubs. Most famous are Trout's (myspace.com/troutsnightclub), and The Crystal Palace (buckowens.com).I have opened shows for Billy Ray Cyrus, Diamond Rio, Johnny Lee, Mel McDaniels, Judy Rodman, David Frizell, Don Williams, Johnny Paycheck, and others.I have got to travel in the United States with my music.I have got to travel in Europe with my music.I worked with the Bobby Durham Band for many years. I was married to Bobby Durham for awhile too.I also sing one of my most rewarding performances: I sing in our Church.NOW SOME OF THE DETAILS:
I worked almost every club Bakersfield had to offer. Many of them are gone now (burned down, run down, shut down, etc.)
I worked the longest at world famous Trout's Cocktail Lounge. Several years actually. Trout's (which got it's name from the Trout family that owned it...not from the fish) is still offerring music, and now bands from all over are coming in and playing because they want to experience the historical Bakersfield sound for themselves. When stars come to the Crystal Palace to perform, they will often come to Trout's after their shows, just to experience the history for themselves.I sang for one year at the Buck Owens Crystal Palace, too. What a thrill to work for Buck Owens. He is loved by so many people and he is misssed dearly. Along with his one time wife, Bonnie Owens.I have recorded with members of the Elvis Presley Band: James Burton, Glen D. Hardin, and that project was produced by Billy Mize. I have recorded with several Bakersfield musicians, and that project was produced by Mark Yeary from the Merle Haggard Band. Don Marcum, also from the Merle Haggard Band, played saxaphone on that project too.I traveled to Europe with the "Bobby Durham Band featuring Theresa Spanke" . I was a featured artist on that show , as well as getting to do background vocals for the band. That was quite and experience, and I still get fan mail from people I met over there.There is so much that I have got to do, but the really neat thing is all the different people I have had the honor of meeting. From the super fans, to the wonderful musicans, singers, and bands. I have learned something about myself, and life in general, from everyone of them.I come from a musical family. I have two brothers that play professionally; Roger Spanke, and Teddy Spanke, and one brother, Randy, that just strums his guitar and sings for fun. Teddy has two sons (my nephews) that play guitar as well. Michael Spanke plays professionaly, and Ryan Spanke plays for fun.This all started when my mom and dad met in Alaska. My father, Ted Spanke, was in the Air Force stationed there and met my mother, Bonnie Spanke, who was playing upright bass in the band that was there on a USO tour. My Dad played great piano, but never professionally. The members of my family that did not play professionally are certainly talented enough too, it was by their own choice not too.While I never had the finances to do anything on a major level, I still feel that:THROUGH THE GOOD LORD, I AM TRULY BLESSED!!!
He Died For You...
...The least you could do is live for him!
