Published: March 1, 2009 10:43 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight March 2009 Edition
Joey Stuckey
Joey Stuckey
In a recent interview with an artist that is near our neck of the woods, our Webzine had an opportunity to enter the world of Joey Stuckey. What is remarkable about this talented Singer/Songwriter is his story. If you are curious about his story, then read on about the life and music of Joey Stuckey in this outstanding spotlight.
Isaac: Hi, Welcome to your interview with Junior's Cave. Now that 2008 has officially ended, what are your reflections of the year 2008 for you as an artist?
---JS
Sadly 2008 wasn't the best year for indie music as the economy really took a hit! I also had a very close family member die so I must say that I was ready to see the
New year, 2009, begin and get things off to a fresh start, but, 2008 wasn't all bad.
Back in April, I did a 17 day tour of the Southwest including Las Vegas, Albuquerque and Phoenix. I did a lot of different music projects while on tour, but, a real highlight was performing at The Gathering of Nations with some of my recording studio clients and good friends The Blessed Blend, a band that blends Native American and Celtic music. I played guitar and bass on their CD and they asked me to come out and perform live with them. To give you an idea about how cool this festival is, let me say that it is the largest gathering of Native Americans in North America and had other Native greats like
Robert Merrirball performing.
June saw my return to the faculty of Mid Summer Macon, a music and arts camp on the campus of Wesleyan College, where I had the honor of teaching young music students for Two weeks. It all culminated with a trip to my recording studio where they got a chance to record some of their original compositions written during camp. I so love being an educator and getting a chance to give back to my community and to those that gave to me by providing a really special opportunity for young folks!
In August, I won the Jazz Artist of the Year award from the Atlanta Society of Entertainers and in November we did a short tour of Iowa where we performed on the
Buena Vista University campus for a sold out show. I also taught a few master classes in recording technology for the music department there and did an inspirational talk about over coming adversity sharing many of my experiences as a blind music professional.
Isaac: What has drawn you to wanting to make music?
----JS
I have always loved music! It has the power to heal in so many ways. I know for me it has always been a good companion. I got in to music at about 17 years
Old, I started just wanting to be a recording engineer, though I loved music from an early age and even though it was a part of my everyday life, I didn't
Start really playing until my late teenage years. But, one day, while recording a demo for a band in my home studio, I said, man, I have something to say and music is the way to express my heart and feelings.
Isaac: Elaborate a little about whom were your biggest influences in the music industry and why?
---JS
I loved the Beatles; their sound especially from a recording stand point is just top notch! I also really fell in love with the production of Brendan O'Brian. The guy responsible for much of what became the Grunge sound with his recording of Pearl Jam, STP and Nirvana, BTW, he is an Atlanta native.
From a guitar point of view, I mean what guitarist doesn't love Hendrix and Van Halen? But, I also love Pat Matheny, and Johnny Mar, the guitarist for the Smiths.
As I play bass as well, let me say that I love Flea and Marcus Miller, and vocally, it's anything from Greg Allman to Frank Sinatra.
Isaac: Let's talk about what you feel you will bring to the music industry?
---JS
Well, I have a can do attitude. This comes from overcoming many health problems. The most obvious one is my being blind, which was the result of a brain tumor, but, I have many other health problems as a result of that same tumor. This means that I know what is important in life and don't sweat the small stuff. Meaning that I don't worry about things that aren't life threatening: I take most things in stride, so I am very easy going and though a pro I work with what ever I am given, no diva complex like so many musicians.
Don't get me wrong, some things do make me upset, like some one giving me their word and then not keeping it, stuff like that, but, for the most part, I am so happy to be alive and doing music full time!
Also, since I am blind, I do approach music and recording a little differently than some of my sighted peers. For one thing, I had to learn music theory. Many musicians say they don't want to be that educated as it gets in the way of the spirit of music, but, that is ignorance! The only true way to be free to create great art is to master its technical component. Saying, I only play major chords because it is my style of music, but, only knowing how to play major chords in the first place isn't a style, it's a limitation. If you can play major, minor, diminished or augmented etcetera, but, choose to play only major chords in a song that is style. My point here is that I had to rely on my mind since I can't physically read music. I say physically, because I do understand how to read music, but, can't see to do so. I could have learned brail music, but, it is hard to get what you need, the selection is very limited and anyway, you can't read it and play at the same time, so I chose to cut out the middle man and just go for brain power:
This means that, in an orchestra setting, I have to use my mind to predict what is coming next or what the most likely option is going to be. Music while the most perfect of the arts to me, I think it is the language of the angels; it is a science as well and is based on mathematics, so music theory is very important to learn. Also, you need to know it so you can effectively communicate with other musicians quickly and accurately. I also use my hearing to its fullest potential. I don't think that my ears are magically better than others; I just use what I have to its full power!
What this brings to my music is an intelligence, and energy that is above a lot of what is out there. By having to rely on my mind, I don't have the option to be lazy in my musical thinking, so I am a good composer. I write the lyrics and melody, but, also do string arrangements, bass lines, horn parts… I also put a lot of detail and thought in to my mixes when working in the studio so get a great or even some times innovative sound, since I am only listening, nothing else, being blind while a limitation in some ways, is also a benefit as I really focus when I am working, I don't really have a choice:
Isaac: If you had an opportunity to work with one artist or group, who would it be and why?
---JS
Oh man, there so many folks that I would love to work with. Since I love all music if it is from the heart, I like everything from Country to rock to jazz and beyond, but, if I had to say one group at this moment and time, I guess it would be Crowded House. I just love everything about their production and writing and the power of their performance. Great melodies and guitar parts!
I should mention here, that I have been very blessed to work with some of my heroes, like Randal Bramblett and Jimmy Hall.
Isaac: How would you describe your music to others?
---JS
Ugh, that is a hard one!
First, let me say that live, folks can expect to hear anything from R&B, to Jazz, Rock, Funk and Blues. In the studio, I have lent my ears or guitar to many projects from Hard rock to Hip-hop to country, so I love it all, but, currently, I have a rock based band with heavy funk and jazz influences, when we are playing my originals. However, I have on the back burner a blues and jazz CD, plus my next Alt rock CD. So I guess you would say I am eclectic.
Isaac: What type of feedback have you received from your previous releases?
---JS
All good. I have on my website, www.joeystuckey.com, a quotes page where I have posted some of the comments from my peers and even a few legends, probably best to go there and check it out.
Isaac: What can fans expect from your latest CD, you are working on currently? What is the inspiration behind the CD?
---JS
The recording out at the moment is my 2003 release "So Far".
This CD is kind of a best of, featuring tracks from my two studio albums and cuts from my two live albums, plus two videos and two new tracks. I have been so busy working for others in the studio and teaching, that I haven't done a new CD for some years, but, it is time for that to change.
I am going to start work this spring on a new seven song EP called "Seven Songs in Seven Days". The inspiration is that I wrote seven songs in seven days and I thought, cool, there is an EP.
Next year, it will be time for a new full length rock CD and maybe I'll even get my jazz CD done by then as well, I have four tracks completed on that project and several more half done and the rest written, so who knows:-)
Isaac: Where can fans locate you at online?
---JS
All the usual places, iTunes, CD baby, Amazon, B&N…
Also, www.joeystuckey.com. I much prefer this option as I get more of the profits and all my CD's are available, but, hey, where ever you want to buy is fine with me:-)
Isaac: What can fans expect from you in 2009?
---JS
2009 has already been a good year!
I am featured quite prominently in the new book about Macon music" Street Singers, Soul Shakers, and Rebels With a Cause, the Music of Macon".
We also had the chance to perform at the GA. Aquarium last month and it was way cool!
It is a great museum and very accessible for the disabled.
I will continue to perform a lot through out this year, just check out the concert calendar on, www.joeystuckey.com, and come out to see us if you can. I also will be working hard to bring life to other folks music in the studio, www.shadowsoundstudio.com, and getting started on my new EP.
Isaac: Time for some shout outs to your family, friends, and fans?
---JS
Just want to say thanks so much to my family, you know who you are, you guys are the best!!! However, on the short list are Mom Reva, Dad Talmadge, and my lovely wife Jennifer.
I also want to thank my studio clients, band mates, and endorsers, way too many to mention, but, if you want to see what kind of gear I use, it's on the endorsements page of, you guessed it, www.joeystuckey.com:-)
Isaac: Final words?
---JS
Well, I like to keep most of my deep thoughts confined to my music or my inspirational talks, but, I would like to thank GOD for blessing me with all I have! He truly deserves the glory, such as it is:
I am not perfect, but, through my art and life, I hope I can reach people and be of service to my community. I hope through music we can all find each other so we know that life is worth living and that as human beings we are all connected, we aren't alone. We all suffer heart break and doubts, pain and grief, but, the joys far out weigh this crazy existence in this crazy world.
Or in other words as I say at the close of my concerts, Good night, thank you and may your God go with you!
