Merle David - Albums

When the history of western swing is written, the name Merle David will surely be included. Although he excels on other instruments, namely the steel and standard guitars, he will best be remembered for his incomparable fiddle work.

Merle is without doubt one of the most "in demand" musicians for shows, recording-sessions, etc.., but he is presently working with Tommy Allsup's New West Wranglers at the New West Club in Fort Worth where he makes his home.

Merle was born in Clarendon, up in the Texas Panhandle, February 17,1936. Merle says his father, who played several instruments, was his greatest inspiration. He played in bands at country dances and Merle was exposed to music at a very early age. In fact, he started playing when only five years old. His father must have been a good teacher, for Merle's innovative style of playing, coupled with his showmanship, have earned him the respect and admiration of fans and peers alike.

His first real job came in 1956 when he joined Charlie Adams and the Western All Starts band in Waco, Texas. Still later, he worked with another famous bandleader from Waco, none other than Hank Thompson and the Brazos Valley Boys. They traveled the country over in his three years with Thompson band, doing radio, stage and ballroom work, and recording some of Hank's greatest hits. In 1976 Thompson had a reunion of several of his men from the big band days, and the great album "Back In The Swing Of Things" (DOT DSOD-2060) resulted. The fiddle section was composed of some of the best musicians in the business, namely Johnny Gimble, Keith Coleman, Jimmy Belkin and of course, Merle David. Also included on that session were two of the best known steel guitarist, Bob White and Curly Chalker, plus other great sidemen. It was arranged and produced by Tommy Allsup.

The People Merle has worked with reads like a "Who's Who" in country music. Other than Adams and Thompson, he has worked with the late Billy Gray, Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, and also with Billy Walker, Ray Price, Mel Tellis and others. His TV credits include "The Mike Douglas Show" and "Hee Haw" with Roy Clark.

I had the pleasure of meeting Merle when he was playing fiddle for Johnnie High's Country Music Revue a few years ago, and more recently- when he sat in for a TV taping. So I can attest to Merle's ability first-hand and this album clearly demonstrates his ability as a Country-Jazz artist.

Floy Case

Mrs. Floy Case was the recipient of the first Certificate of Appreciation presented by the Country Music Foundation in Nashville, Tennessee, in recognition of her donations of memorabilia and her contributions as a pioneer Country Music journalist.

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