Joey Stuckey Interview
EJ: Hey Joey! Thank you for joining us today! We went through and listened to many of your songs and we are in love! You are very poetic, do you write your songs from “life” experiences?
Joey: Wow, thanks for your kind words! Yes, mostly I write what I know, so most of my songs are about things I have lived through or about things friends or family have lived through. I do however, have a good imagination, so sometimes I let flights of fancy take over LOL.
For example, one of my earliest songs, written when I was about 19 years old, “Mr. Moonie”, was inspired by hearing a news story about a 100 car pile up in CA. At that time, there was a discussion about having both driver and passenger air bags. I remember someone said, “how would you feel if you lived because of an air bag, but your loved one died because they didn’t have one?”
This got me thinking about survivors’ guilt and what an awful thing that would be to live through. So in this case, I hadn’t lived it but I could imagine the true pain and conflict such an event would cause. I should note here that “Mr. Moonie” was on my first album “Take A walk In The Shadows” but later re-released and remastered on my “Six String Soldier” record.
EJ: What have you experienced as a musician that gives you a clear understanding of just how ‘tough’ the industry can be at times?
Joey: I guess the thing I like the least about the industry is that there can be a lack of honesty and also the pay to play mentality. I don’t like it when people tell you something and then don’t follow through.
For example, when I was first getting started, I had a management company approach me about signing with them. Even at the ripe old age of 22 I knew enough to see that it wasn’t a good deal. The management company asked me to be part of a showcase they were putting on. I said no because I wasn’t sure I would sign with them. They promised that there would be no hard feelings and if I didn’t sign I was still welcome to do the showcase which was for MCA.
Well, I decided not to sign and that night they sabotaged my sound at the showcase. All we heard for 45 minutes was feedback. At the time, I was 22 but all the guys in my band were in their 40’s and had lots of experience. We all had top notch gear and I was already a sound engineer with my own studio, so there was no way that our sound was abysmal while, coincidentally, all the other bands sound was clear and well-mixed.
And as I say, I don’t like that so much of the biz is pay to play. I understand that as old revenue streams dry up, you have to find new ones, but since every opportunity from booking a festival to pitching a song for film/TV placement costs money, at least at the entry levels, I don’t know how any musician can afford to compete. Now at my stage of the biz, I am past most of that and have representation with management, booking, publicity, a record label and so on, but many artists don’t have those options and so it can be very challenging.
Now don’t get me wrong. You asked me a question, so I have done my best to answer honestly, but I am not saying that you shouldn’t pursue a career in music and that you can’t be successful. The main things are to:
1. trust your instincts
2. have a budget and stick to it
3. Have a business plan that outlines a 3 month, 6 month and 12 month list of attainable small goals that lead to bigger goals!
EJ: Who were your musical influences growing up?
Joey: There were many but at the top of the list is “The Beatles”. I also loved bands like Lover Boy, Journey, U2 and of course Michael Jackson.
EJ: If you could have your ultimate stage fantasy what would have to happen?
Joey: I would be 100 pounds lighter LOL and could jump around like Mick Jagger!!! I just had a dream come true on stage when we performed at the world famous Whisky A Go Go this year. I felt a change in the room when I walked on stage. We owned the stage and it was obvious we had the right to be there. The house was packed and people really responded to what we played that night and the band was thrilled!
I would love to perform with anyone talented from heroes of mine to artists yet to be discovered. I won’t get the chance to sing with George Michael or play guitar with Oscar Peterson, but I still hope to play with Aimee Mann!
EJ: What advice would you give the younger Joey?
Joey: Trust yourself to know what is right for you and don’t over think it!
EJ: Anything else you would like to share?
Joey: I am very grateful for the support of my friends, family and fans and greatly appreciate being able to share my music and story on platforms like this one.
Please do stop by www.joeystuckey.com and check out our fan zone. We have a lot of great ways for you to get some free music and be part of what I am doing
EJ: Where can we buy your music and support you on line?
Joey: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/SenateRecords
Twitter https://twitter.com/Jstuckeymusic
IG https://www.instagram.com/jstuckeymusic/
FB https://www.facebook.com/JoeyStuckeyMusic/
Bookings: Bsquaredmgmt.com
PRESS: Bsquaredmgmt@gmail.com
