Submitted by Name: Joe Portman From: Elmendorf TX E-mail: Contact
Comments: I had the great privilege, and pleasure, to work with Merle in a small club in Odessa Texas back in about 1976 or so. Over the years I kept up with him and the last time I saw him was mid/late 80s I think and he was playing with Tommy Allsup in Fort Worth Texas. he was, in my mind, one of the greatest musicians I’ve ever had the pleasure to encounter. His mastery of the fiddle was unparalleled. When he would loosen the ball and play all four strings, it was a thing of beauty. It was also a pretty damn good steel guitar player. I learned a lot from Merle, and I often wondered what happened to him. I am saddened to hear that he left so long ago. his talent will be missed.
Added: January 18, 2022
Submitted by Name: Bill From: Odessa E-mail: Contact
Comments: Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!
Added: December 2, 2021
Submitted by Name: Bill From: Odessa E-mail: Contact
Comments: Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Added: November 25, 2021
Submitted by Name: Blair Cameron From: Barbecue, N.C. E-mail: Contact
Comments: Howdy, I had the pleasure of working with Merle at "The New West Club" on Camp Bowie Blvd. in Fort Worth, all those years ago! Tommy Allsup had a fantastic band, as well as hosting the greatest artists in Country music at the time! Tommy called me his "Singin' DJ" as I was working at KPLX at the time. A sea of cowboy hats, dancin' counter-clockwise around the floor! Watching Merle do his trick fiddlin' was a joy to behold! Most of the time, folks would stop dancing when Tommy would call: "Trick Fiddlin' Time!", standing in AWE as Merle did his thing! He was AMAZING on both the fiddle and steel guitar! Million-dollar memories! Thank you Merle, for giving those of us lucky enough to have known you, for all you did in the name of music! I know your family will always be proud of the legacy and great music you left behind! Blue Skies and Happy Trails forever, Blair "Cowboy Cody" Cameron
Added: March 5, 2021
Submitted by Name: Phil Gesch From: Odessa, TX E-mail: Contact
Comments: I was looking up names of people that I have known, and found this site. Really cool! I'm going to show it to my mom nest time I see her. I was just a kid when I first met your dad, but even I could tell that he was one of the best. I never saw him at any clubs, but he did make a few rodeos. This is a great tribute you have made for him. I found one of his albums in a thrift store a couple of years ago. I think my mom still has it. Tell everyone I said hi.
Added: May 25, 2018
Submitted by Name: Chuck Cusimano From: Springtown, Texas E-mail: Contact
Comments: To the Family of Merle David. I first met Merle in the Delta Recording Studio in Fort Worth. He was recording his album for Zak-Tone records. I had met Charlie Taylor a couple nights before and he invited me to come to the Studio. I didn't play on the recordings but, I am on the cover of the album. The album Cover picture was taken in the "Golden Egg" where Merle was playing. That was my first night working for Merle in his band. That night, the band consisted of Jimmy Lathem on Steel Guitar, Bobby Green on Bass, Gary Moore on Drums and myself on guitar and Vocals. Later, David Price played Bass, Gary Moore played Drums, I played Guitar and Merle played everything else. I used to go over to Merle and Betty's during the daytime quite a bit and we'd play music for hours, even though we were working six nights a week. Merle was a great friend and helped me with my guitar playing a lot. One night, Merle announced that he was going to work with Mel Tillis. He went for a couple of weeks and then he was back in Odessa again. That was in 1973. In 1979, I hired Merle to play in my band in Lubbock, Texas at the Red Raider Inn. He was the best musician I've ever known. Merle was put on Earth to play music. On this website, I can be seen as a very young Guitar picker wearing a Gold colored shirt with a black vest and playing a black Fender Telecaster, in the Pictures labled, "Golden Egg" In the Lubbock pictures, I am playing a Gibson Les Paul. The Steel Guitar player (Playing a Black Emmons) next to Merle, (playing Fiddle) is, Duane Brown. I think about my fortunate opportunity to have known, Become friends with and played music with Merle David. Thanks for having this website!!
Admin reply: Hello Chuck, Thanks for sharing.
Bill
Added: March 22, 2012
Submitted by Name: Angela From: Missouri E-mail: Contact
Comments: I used to go dancing at the New West Club in Ft Worth in the 80's and listened to Merle David every night. He was AWESOME on both fiddle and steel guitar! I miss those days of great music and dance.
Admin reply: Hello and thank you for your kind words.. Take care
Bill
Added: March 18, 2012
Submitted by Name: Robin B. From: West Texas E-mail: Contact
Submitted by Name: Dusty Stewart From: Dickinson, Texas, 77539 E-mail: Contact
Comments: Hello, Bill, and the David Family !!! It is indeed my pleasure to have known, and worked with Merle, in the 60`s & 70`s, He was the greatest Musician, I ever knew in my life !!! Enough Good Words, cannot be said about Merle !!! God Bless You All R.I.P.
Admin reply: Hello and thanks for stopping by... I mentioned your name to Mother and she said she remembers you playing with dad.. Thanks for contributing.. Take care..
Added: January 22, 2012
Submitted by Name: DJ Texas Ted Branson From: Austin, Texas E-mail: Contact
Comments: What a joy to find this great website and I want to thank John Case for guiding me here! Never got to meet Merle but have enjoyed his music and give him airplay often...I will be doing a radio birthday tribute to him on Under the X in Texas KOOP radio 91.7 FM Feb 14th...lol to all!
Admin reply: Thanks for stopping buy.. That's mighty nice of you to do that for my dad.. Thanks for sharing... Take care..
Name: Joe Portman
From: Elmendorf TX
E-mail: Contact
I had the great privilege, and pleasure, to work with Merle in a small club in Odessa Texas back in about 1976 or so. Over the years I kept up with him and the last time I saw him was mid/late 80s I think and he was playing with Tommy Allsup in Fort Worth Texas. he was, in my mind, one of the greatest musicians I’ve ever had the pleasure to encounter. His mastery of the fiddle was unparalleled. When he would loosen the ball and play all four strings, it was a thing of beauty. It was also a pretty damn good steel guitar player. I learned a lot from Merle, and I often wondered what happened to him. I am saddened to hear that he left so long ago. his talent will be missed.