Macon music ambassador Joey Stuckey remembered for uplifting artists

The musician and producer encouraged local artists, supported accessible music education and shared his work with audiences worldwide.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon is remembering musician and producer Joey Stuckey, who died Saturday in Madison, Wisconsin, according to his publicist, Robert Evanoff.

Stuckey served as Macon’s music ambassador and spent years using music to inspire others, support music education and help local artists share their talent.

Blind and a brain tumor survivor, Stuckey shared his story and music with audiences around the world. In 2015, he traveled to London to perform and speak at a conference focused on visually impaired musicians and making music education more accessible.

Here in Middle Georgia, Stuckey also helped showcase local talent through 41NBC’s former program, Studio 41.

Singer-songwriter Lisa Gaines-Zebley was one of the artists featured on the program in 2014. She remembers Stuckey as someone who made her feel comfortable and supported.

“He is the kindest, most generous, patient person that I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with,” Gaines-Zebley said. “And so funny. He was just a funny guy, made jokes left and right while we were there, made it very comfortable.”

Stuckey’s support extended beyond the recording studio.

In 2015, Gaines-Zebley submitted a song for the Macon Music Volume One CD project while going through a difficult time. She said Stuckey reached out personally the day before the results were announced to let her know she had been selected.

“Joey actually called me the day before any of the results were posted, and none of us knew if we had been chosen or not, and he said something told me that I just needed to reach out to you and let you know that you were chosen for this project,” Gaines-Zebley said.

Gaines-Zebley said the encouragement meant a great deal to her at a time when she was feeling discouraged about her music.

She said she will always be grateful for the opportunity to know Stuckey and call him a friend.

Stuckey’s legacy lives on through the music he created, the artists he encouraged and the lives he touched throughout his career.

Visitation for Stuckey will be held Monday, October 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Cupola, located at 6324 Peake Road in Macon.

A second visitation will take place Tuesday, October 27, from noon to 1 p.m. at Rhine Baptist Church, located at 92 East Street in Rhine, Georgia. The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m., with burial to follow.

A meal will be provided at the church after the burial.