According to Spook, his influences include folks like John Prine, Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger (who's been singing "Vote" at his own shows), John Denver, and Bob Dylan. Over the past 23 years, Handy has played over 3000 shows around the country, and has made three CDs.

Born and raised in Montclair, New Jersey, and eventually studied at nearby Rutgers University. After college, Spook bought himself a $50 guitar and started writing songs. He spent some time working as sound tech for Bluegrass/Country Rockers Wood N Strings, and eventually teamed up with his pal Carl Alderson, with whom he began playing at open mics.

Since then, Spook has taken on the Spook Handy Show (NJ's longest running open mic night), and has started up bands like the Love Project and Be Here Now. He left both bands in 1991 to travel as a solo artist, and hasn't stopped going since then. He's performed at Kerrville, Falcon Ridge, and the Susquehanna Music & Arts Festival, and has received all kinds of awards and acolades.