Spanky attended college at The State University of New York @ Fredonia, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Music. Spanky performed regularly with a variety of cover and original groups as well as participating in numerous recording sessions as the school’s 24-track facility. He also picked up various session work in NYC when returning home on break.

After graduation, Spanky moved to Los Angeles to attend the World-renowned Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT). This experience afforded him the opportunity to hone his craft and study with instructors of various backgrounds and expertise. He was also fortunate to study with jazz guitar great Ted Greene. Spanky was an instructor at GIT for their Summer Session. Having graduated with Honors, was nominated for two awards, including Outstanding Stylist and Player of the Year. Throughout the year he lived in Los Angeles and gigged regularly with the fusion group Revelation. A video and accompanying CD was made that received airplay in Los Angeles and in the People’s Republic of China.

Leaving Los Angeles, Spanky relocated to Athens, GA and continued his music career. It was in Athens that Spanky began teaching and had a roster of students that numbered upwards of 40 a week. He also began playing with Funkomatic, an original funk band. He spent the next 7 years writing and recording and touring the country with the group.

Upon leaving Funkomatic, Spanky moved to Atlanta and took a position with guitar amplifier/pedal manufacturer Line 6 as a Product Specialist for the SouthEast. His duties include training the sales staff of vendors, demoing to end users, and conducting clinics and workshops. He also maintains a busy schedule of gigs and sessions in the Atlanta area.