George "Spanky" McCurdy

George "Spanky" McCurdy
Birth name George McCurdy
Born (1981-06-28) June 28, 1981
Olney, Pennsylvania
Origin Philadelphia
Genres Pop, gospel, neo soul, hip hop, house
Occupation(s) Drummer
Years active 1994–present
Website www.myspace.com/spankydrumz

George "Spanky" McCurdy (born June 28, 1981)[1] is an American drummer. Spanky has toured with Lady Gaga, Kanye West, P.Diddy, The Backstreet Boys, Jill Scott, and Floetry. He has also collaborated with Queen Latifah, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Q-Tip, Bubba Sparxxx, Nas, Brandy, and Tye Tribbett, among others.[2][3]

Life and career

Early life

George McCurdy grew up in Olney, a neighborhood located in North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[4] At about age four, George was given the nickname “Spanky” and has gone by it ever since. Spanky’s love for music began at an early age. Growing up, he attended Settlement Music School then subsequently attended Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University, and received lessons from the famous drummer Little John Roberts.

Musical Beginnings

Spanky’s childhood was surrounded by church and gospel music. He grew up watching the choir director and says it is why he is used to working with musical directors. Spanky also credits playing in church as the reason he is so fearless and has so much fire in his musical style. He also credits Philadelphia natives Little John Roberts, Vidal Davis, and Brian Frasier-Moore as his musical influences. By age 13, Spanky was playing with several local acts, including various gospel groups. It was through these groups that Spanky met other musicians that taught him what he knows today.

"Off Time/On Time"

In May 2013, Spanky and Hudson Music released an instructional DVD on drumming called “Off Time/On Time”. In the DVD, Spanky explains and demonstrates various drumming concepts in order to teach viewers new creative drum techniques.

Discography

YearAlbumArtistCredit
2002JustifiedJustin TimberlakeDrums
2002A Love StoryVivian GreenDrums
2003Who Will I Run To/Kiss Me Like ThatKiley DeanDrums
2003Presents Don Cello and FriendsLarry GoldDrums, Main Personnel
2003DeliveranceBubba SparxxxDrums
2004Who Is She 2 UBrandyPercussion
2004Somethin' 'Bout LoveFred HammondDrums
2004LifeTye Tribbett & G.A.Drums
2004Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds, Vol. 2Jill ScottCongas, Drums, Main Personnel
2004AfrodisiacBrandyPercussion
2005The AppetizerEric RobersonDrums
2006Victory Live!Tye Tribbett & G.A.Drums, Member of Attributed Artist
2006SurroundedMen of StandardDrums
2006Bold and BeautifulVikter DuplaixDrums, Main Personnel
2007Tye Tribbett & G.A. Smooth Jazz TributeSmooth Jazz All StarsComposer
2007Trust YouAmy DeanDrums
2007The Very Best of Praise and Worship, Vol. 2Various ArtistsComposer
2007The Real Thing: Words and Sounds, Vol. 3Jill ScottDrums
2007Never Forget: A Journey of RevelationsDr. Cornel WestProducer
2007LuvanmusiqMusiq (Soulchild)Drums
2007Celebrate!: Songs of PraiseVarious ArtistsComposer
2007...LeftEric RobersonDrums
2008Stand Out LiveTye TribbettDrums
2008PurposeAlgebraDrums
2008The PsalterJas KnightDrums
2009The Best of Gospel Superfest (CD/DVD)Various ArtistsComposer
2009Songs 4 Worship: Friend of GodVarious ArtistsComposer
2010My SoulLeela JamesDrums
2010I Believe: LiveJames FortuneDrums
2010FinallyLowell PyeDrums
2011The Original Jill Scott from the Vault, Vol. 1Jill ScottComposer, Drums, Producer
2011The Light of the SunJill ScottComposer, Drums, Producer
2011The Sound of VictoryMaurette Brown ClarkDrums
2011Born This Way: The CollectionLady GagaDrums
2012So In LoveAmber BullockComposer
2013Off Time/On Time (DVD)Composer, Drums

Future Endeavors

Spanky is currently working on a new studio album, Spank Sinatra, due out in July 2013. He is also working on several mix tapes and is looking to start his own clothing line. Of his fashion line, called StarStruk, Spanky explains, “Everything I wear, I’m going to make. It’s just going to be a dope, fun company. Hopefully, I see like a lot of people rocking stuff. So I’m going to keep everything different that way. I don’t know. I just want everybody to rock the stuff. It’s going to be dope. I’m excited.” [5]

Personal life

Love for Philadelphia

Spanky has been quoted many times about the love he has for his hometown. In his interview with Philly 360, Spanky expressed his appreciation for Philadelphia's music scene. "Philly music scene is the nucleus of the whole operation. If you take us out of it, a lot of artists are going to lose great bands. You have the number one sought after music director in world, Adam Blackstone, whose MDing everybody - Maroon 5, Jill Scott, Kanye. It's like everybody. Then you have the musicians, Brian Frasier Moore, legendary, who is getting ready to go out with Madonna, [and he] just got finished doing Janet. And right now, he's in the studio with Queen Latifah. You got, Little John Roberts, you have of course The Roots' James [Poyser]. It's just so much. Philly is the nucleus of it all. All of our younger cats are now touring with Marsha Ambrosius and different underground artists. I have so much respect for my city, especially after touring around the whole world and seeing how much respect they have for us, and for our roots and for our swag and our reputation. So I love my city, man. It’s like we have soul here. We have soul. We have character. A lot of people don’t have that. So you know, I can talk hours about Philly."[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Drummerworld: George "Spanky" McCurdy". www.drummerworld.com. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  2. ↑ Corporation, Roland. "Roland - Community - Roland Users Group - Artists". Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  3. ↑ "Part 5: Musician George "Spanky" McCurdy". 4 February 2011. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  4. ↑ http://philly360.visitphilly.com/the-insider/2010/09/14/tayyib-s-beat-exclusive-q-a-with-spanky-mccurdy
  5. 1 2 http://philly360.visitphilly.com/creative-ambassadors/spanky-mccurdy
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.