That’s where Winfrey recorded “Run On,” and where LaBelle came to work on “Get with the Program,” his son said. Stewart operated a recording studio at Main Street and McCormick in Evanston. Morris “Butch” Stewart loved country music. He said ‘got it!’ ” Also Monday, Arsenio Hall - who contributes to Joyner’s show - tweeted “Morris ‘Butch’ Stewart left me some of his amazing Ear Candy!” Stewart’s ability to capture musical styles, saying he instructed him, “I want some James Brown, some Larry Graham and some Earth, Wind & Fire. Later, it evolved into versions sung by celebrities and guest vocalists. It started out as “Oh, oh, oh, it’s the Tom Joyner Morning Show,” his son said. Stewart to help brand the show with a theme sung each hour. “He could use hip-hop to promote the Big Mac, country to promote McRib.” “They came to Butch because they knew he was a wizard,” his son said. His son said he was instrumental in adding energy and soul to one of its most famed earworms, “Ba Da Ba Ba Bah, I’m Lovin’ It!” Through producer Charles Stepney, he began working in the mid-70s on jingles for Chicago’s Burrell Communications, promoting McDonald’s and other business giants to African-American consumers. “It was a real thrill,” he said, “because this was back when they had those huge concerts with the drums spinning in the air and the whole works.” Stewart recalled touring with Lewis and Earth, Wind & Fire. In a 2014 interview with LaShawn Williams for Mr. Morris “Butch” Stewart, a composer, singer and musician, collaborated with singer Patti LaBelle on Oprah’s theme song, “Get With the Program.” | Provided photo “He’s a God-fearing gentleman, and he’ll be sorely missed.” “He produced albums for me, he wrote songs for me,” Lewis said Monday. Stewart wrote “My Love Will Lead You Home” on the 1987 Lewis LP “Keys to the City” and multiple songs on Lewis’ 1985 “Fantasy” album. In their early 20s, he and his high school sweetheart, Brenda Mitchell - who later became his wife of 38 years - began singing background vocals for Lewis. He studied music and business at DePaul University. He grew into a star of the jazz band at Thornton High School and sang with the Madrigals. His father, Morris, was a carpenter and his mother, Vergene, was a hair stylist and organist.Įven as a kid, he was musical, his son said, spending time with other kids pumping out tunes in neighborhood garages. With his wife, vocalist and producer Brenda Stewart (left). Morris “Butch” Stewart recorded Oprah Winfrey singing her theme song, “Run On,” at his production facility in Evanston. He also contributed music to the 1987 film “Teen Wolf Too” starring Jason Bateman, and appeared as himself in a 1983 TV special with groundbreaking comic Andy Kaufman, according to IMDb. Stewart worked with Earth Wind & Fire, jazz icon Ramsey Lewis, trumpeter Chuck Mangione and country singer Faith Hill. What's your favorite TJMS Jingle? Butch & his fam did that!- Tom Joyner May 22, 2017 Remembering Butch Stewart all morning long.