Michael Dean Stewart

Funeral services for Michael Dean Stewart, 63, of Aiken, will be held at 2 pm Monday, January 21, 2013 at the Chapel of GEORGE FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTER, Aiken. Officiating will be Archie Jordan. Burial will follow in Aiken Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 12 -2 pm prior to the service at the funeral home.

Mr. Stewart, passed away Friday, January 18, 2013. Born in Oakridge, Tennessee, he was a son of the late Raymond & Lois McGarvey Stewart. He was raised in Aiken County before moving to Nashville to pursue his music career.

Mike moved to Nashville in the late 70's and for 25 years he had a very successful duel career in the music business. He first began as a "song-plugger" but quickly by music business standards in late1983 he had co-written a #1 record "Don't You Know How Much I Love You" by artist Ronnie Milsap. Notably afterward, he became Associate Producer and co-writer on a Top Ten Dance Hit by the Pointer Sisters. This was quickly soon followed with a writing contract from Quincy Jones and Mike writing for Quincy and Michael Jackson during the "Bad" Album days. He penned well over 200 songs and well as recorded an album himself that was featured in the movie "Folley Island which won the New York Film Festival award in 2001. During this time, Mike became a key member in Dan Williams Music one of the top 5 commercial music production companies in the nation. During that time with Dan, his best friend and song writing partner Mike was closely involved in the production of over 2, 000 regional or national commercials. He was an on-camera principle for Clorox 2 as well as lead vocalist for national TV as well as other top commercials. He also sang background on hundreds of commercials heard by the entire country for over 20 years. In fact, his voice was heard "daily" nationally on radio and TV for 20 years. He worked in direct contact and friendship with artist from George Jones, Alan Jackson, Marty Stuart, Pam Tills, The Pointers, Hank Williams Jr., Rita Moreno, Randy Travis and scores of other top celebrities. His career also included working with the top ad agencies in America and for hundreds of companies from Budweiser to Toyota to Clorox and Folgers on nationally known commercials such as "Momma's Got the Magic of Clorox 2", to "Taco Bell's Run for the Border", to name only a couple that barely scratches the surface of his vast body of work. His energy in the the studio was unmatched and his ability was to make people laugh was a gift known by everyone in the music business in Nashville. He was loved by everyone that knew him and will be deeply missed by the entire music community in Nashville. Mike was a member of the Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Musicians, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artist, and Broadcast Music, Inc.

Surviving are his wife, Elenita Stewart of the home; a daughter, Tamla Pridgen Bert of Leondardtown, Maryland; a son, Tybee Stewart of the home; a brother, Larry Stewart Sherrie of Aiken; 3 grandchildren, Katie, Cary and Connor Pridgen all of Leonardtown, Maryland.