In Loving Memory of Joey Stuckey
Our friend Joey Stuckey passed away on Saturday, October 17, 2026. This is his final Music Talks conversation with us, recorded on October 10, just ahead of the release of his new album, King of Strings, so you'll hear us talking as though it's already out.
Joey was Macon, Georgia's Official Music Ambassador, a blind guitarist, producer, and teacher who gave his heart to other people's music as much as his own.
We first met Joey in January 2021, when he joined us on Big Blend Radio to talk about his song "You Know My Name." He came to us through our mutual friend Billy James of Glass Onyon PR, who told us Joey would be one of the best people we would ever meet. Billy is gone now too, and he was right about Joey. It was an instant friendship that grew into countless conversations with our Big Blend Radio family, and then into his Music Talks series every fourth Sunday.
Joey had a real zest for life. He was determined, kind, funny, and inspiring. He cared about the world. We loved meeting him in person at his studio in downtown Macon, and we often talked about recording Lisa's music.
His wife, Jennifer, said Joey would want us to smile, tell a bad joke, and laugh. So here he is, in his own words.
Listen to the Episode below on YouTube or download it on Podbean:
About Joey Stuckey
Joey Stuckey was Macon, Georgia's Official Music Ambassador: a blind guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer, and a Professor of Music Technology at Mercer University. He was also a governor of the Recording Academy and a champion of Macon's music community. His new album, King of Strings, recorded at the Les Paul Recording Studio in Hollywood, is streaming everywhere.
Joey Stuckey at Shadow Sound Studio
Episode Highlights
Why Joey made a CD instead of vinyl, and why a signed CD is "a souvenir of our time together."
Owning your music versus renting a license from the streaming services, and Grant Maloy Smith's vinyl-only box sets.
How a request for 15 minutes to touch Les Paul's 1957 console turned into two hours in the studio, and then into a yes.
One day, three players, eight channels: Joey on guitar and vocals, Dusty Wakeman on bass, David Raven on drums, and engineer Tom Camuso behind the board, with a film crew capturing four of the six songs.
No punch-ins, no fixes, no edits. The record is live, apart from two guitar solos and one backing vocal.
The songs: "Temple in the Wind," which he wrote about his wife, Jennifer; "Born to Be Your Toy," co-written with his late friend Charlie Hoskyns; "King of Strings," the Les Paul edition and the Duane Allman edition; "Hertsmere Blues"; "Baby Don't"; and a version of "Sunshine of Your Love."
His advice to students: your shot is coming, so be ready when it does.
EP or album? Why he priced the CD at ten dollars and pressed 300 copies.
Why it pays to put the camera down and be in the moment at a show.
About the Album: King of Strings
Recorded and mixed in a single twelve-hour day at the Les Paul Studio in Hollywood.
Temple in the Wind (4:53)
Born to Be Your Toy (3:55)
King of Strings, The Les Paul Edition (4:00)
Hertsmere Blues (4:38)
Baby Don't (2:02)
Sunshine of Your Love (4:12)
Credits: Joey Stuckey (guitar, vocals, producer, songwriter); Charlie Hoskyns (co-writer, "Born to Be Your Toy"); Dusty Wakeman (bass); David Raven (drums); Tom Camuso (recording engineer); Jessica Thompson (mastering); Jack Hackett (cover art and layout, documentary cinematography and editing); Szu Wang (documentary producer and director, Mad Dog Studios).
Links
Listen to King of Strings: https://found.ee/joeystuckey-kingofstrings
Joey Stuckey on Big Blend Radio (YouTube playlist): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm2zNDtr23NbGx4q90u3Ok0f&si=yUxe5i9wpaAxCF-f
Joey Stuckey (and his family’s statement): https://www.joeystuckey.com/
Thank you, Joey.