Spanier began his professional career in and around Chicago in the 1920's. He came to the fore with the orchestra of Ted Lewis (1929 to late 1936). Briefly with Ben Pollack, then (following a near-fatal illness) formed his own band, the 'Ragtimers', in 1938. This was a 15-piece dixieland orchestra, which, for a while, rivaled Bob Crosby's 'Bobcats'. Many of the best arrangements were by former Crosby alumnus Deane Kincaide. The band also sported many top jazz musicians, like Irving Fazola, Ralph Muzzillo and Nick Caiazza.