George "Spanky" McCurdy

George "Spanky" McCurdy
Birth name George McCurdy
Born (1981-06-28) June 28, 1981
Olney, Pennsylvania
Origin Philadelphia
Genres Pop, Gospel, Soul, Hip Hop
Occupation(s) Drummer
Years active 1994–present
Website www.myspace.com/spankydrumz

George "Spanky" McCurdy (born June 28, 1981)[1] is an American gospel/soul/pop/hip-hop drummer. Spanky has toured with Lady Gaga, Kanye, 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

Year Album Artist Credit
2002 Justified Justin Timberlake Drums
2002 A Love Story Vivian Green Drums
2003 Who Will I Run To/Kiss Me Like That Kiley Dean Drums
2003 Presents Don Cello and Friends Larry Gold Drums, Main Personnel
2003 Deliverance Bubba Sparxxx Drums
2004 Who Is She 2 U Brandy Percussion
2004 Somethin' 'Bout Love Fred Hammond Drums
2004 Life Tye Tribbett & G.A. Drums
2004 Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds, Vol. 2 Jill Scott Congas, Drums, Main Personnel
2004 Afrodisiac Brandy Percussion
2005 The Appetizer Eric Roberson Drums
2006 Victory Live! Tye Tribbett & G.A. Drums, Member of Attributed Artist
2006 Surrounded Men of Standard Drums
2006 Bold and Beautiful Vikter Duplaix Drums, Main Personnel
2007 Tye Tribbett & G.A. Smooth Jazz Tribute Smooth Jazz All Stars Composer
2007 Trust You Amy Dean Drums
2007 The Very Best of Praise and Worship, Vol. 2 Various Artists Composer
2007 The Real Thing: Words and Sounds, Vol. 3 Jill Scott Drums
2007 Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations Dr. Cornel West Producer
2007 Luvanmusiq Musiq (Soulchild) Drums
2007 Celebrate!: Songs of Praise Various Artists Composer
2007 ...Left Eric Roberson Drums
2008 Stand Out Live Tye Tribbett Drums
2008 Purpose Algebra Drums
2008 The Psalter Jas Knight Drums
2009 The Best of Gospel Superfest (CD/DVD) Various Artists Composer
2009 Songs 4 Worship: Friend of God Various Artists Composer
2010 My Soul Leela James Drums
2010 I Believe: Live James Fortune Drums
2010 Finally Lowell Pye Drums
2011 The Original Jill Scott from the Vault, Vol. 1 Jill Scott Composer, Drums, Producer
2011 The Light of the Sun Jill Scott Composer, Drums, Producer
2011 The Sound of Victory Maurette Brown Clark Drums
2011 Born This Way: The Collection Lady Gaga Drums
2012 So In Love Amber Bullock Composer
2013 Off 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

Relationships

Spanky is currently single and has one daughter from a previous relationship.

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

External links

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