Evanston Obituary: Butch Stewart, 64

Composer, musician, producer and entrepreneur Morris “Butch” Stewart died last week at Evanston Hospital after a battle with cancer. He was 64.

The long-time Evanston resident began creating television and radio theme songs in 1978 with his company JoyArt Music, later called Good Stewart Productions. Before that, he had worked advertising jingles for companies as large as McDonald’s. He also created memorable and long-running theme songs to the Oprah Winfrey Show and the Tom Joyner Morning Show.

Stewart was born in Chicago and went to high school in Harvey before studying music and business at DePaul University. He met his future wife, Brenda Mitchell, while the two were working together as background singers for Ramsey Lewis.

He also performed with and wrote music for Earth, Wind and Fire, appeared on TV with Andy Kaufman and sometimes played country music under the name “Butch Morrison,” according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

In Evanston, Stewart ran a recording studio at Main Street and McCormick Boulevard and started the music education nonprofit, the Art of Making Music Foundation.

He is survived by his wife, sister, brother, two sons, and grandchild. His family and friends are planning a celebration of his life next month and have established a GoFundMe page in his memory. For more information, call 847-868-8341 or email info@goodstewartproductions.com.

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Top photo | Morris "Butch" Stewart and family | GoFundMe