Many early mornings — four, sometimes five a.m. — I wake not to an alarm, but to the soft murmur of voices drifting through my head. What I write about today. This morning was different. I woke to a voice rising straight out of my heart. After reading the obituary for Joey Mazzone last night, I opened my eyes early this morning with a quiet certainty that I needed to speak — to write — about this remarkable friend, musician, and truly awesome man.
I remember that early day in August, just a month ago, when the weight of losing a friend settled over me — a friend I now wish I’d had the chance to be closer to. It was one of those still, fragile mornings when the world feels thinner, and the things you didn’t say echo louder than the ones you did.
So today, I say my peace through my writing.
I was blessed to have Joey in my life for only a short stretch of years, crossing paths in the world of music—in the rooms where he played what he loved and where I wrote about what I loved: music!
I remember Joey always inviting Dorrie and me to his upcoming gigs; We made as many as we could, and now I find myself wishing we would have made even more!
Many times, Joey and I would sit together at an empty table and talk about life and music. I remember him as a deeply friendly soul — soft‑spoken offstage, carrying himself with a gentle ease — but the moment he stepped under the lights, he sang loud and proud. I listened to his music not just for the melody, but for the words. So many of his songs were stories, pieces of his life woven into verses and choruses. Through our conversations, and even more through the lyrics he wrote, it was clear how much Joey loved music — how much he loved sharing it with the world.
He lived with a quiet pain most people never saw, me included, and his greatest relief came from creating the songs that carried him through. My own relief in losing my friend comes from knowing he’s in Heaven now — no pain, no weight — and still making his music.
One thing I do know is that Joey had one clear wish: for his music to live on. That was his heartbeat, his hope, the thing he wanted to leave behind for the world. So here is my part in helping that wish along. To all my readers of my blog, to my followers and subscribers, and to my friends on Facebook, I ask you to join me — hit the link below, listen, share, and keep his songs moving forward. Let’s help Joey Mazzone’s wish to come true. Let's keep his music alive!
Rest in peace, Joey.
Love you always, my brother in music.
7.15.1999 - 8.7.2026
Gary England
Mourning My Life Share Please
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