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Dan Merrill's Upbeat Revolution
Dan grew up in southern Maine and has has been writing songs and performing since exiting high school in the late seventies. Sighting influences from JT to Joe Walsh Dan's music covers a great deal of musical territory.
Dan got his earliest music experience while singing tenor in his church's choir. Meanwhile, in grade school he developed an interest for the electric guitar, and, with some classmates formed a high school band called," Empyre". " We weren't a great band, but we had some kind of spark that people chimed into.." relates Merrill. Following the interest initiated in him by this band, Dan embarked on his professional music journey. During the 80's he toured New England and into the Canadian maritimes with a popular regional group,"Cornerstone". They played night clubs and colleges, made several TV appearances, and opened concerts for .38 Special, Foghat, Marshall Tucker, Jeff Healy. They also released a Cd, "Foundation", in 1990. With Cornerstone, Dan received the "Male Vocalist of the Year" award from the Maine Music Awards in 1987. "
Later, In 1990, at a time when the Cold War was nearing it's end, Dan was entering a new musical collaborative with a popular Russian songwriter (Victor Reznikov) from St. Petersburg. A chance meeting would bring the two musicians together to start a project steeped in cultural diversity and public interest. With Merrill writing english lyrics to the Russian composer's melodies, the two demonstrated an embracing of nations that would be mirrored by joint ventures to come. Through the political turmoil, the group (SUS) maintained it's stability, giving concerts and televised appearances to appreciative audiences in Russia. Even after Reznikov's unfortunate death in 1992, the goodwill continued with further SUS concerts and recordings in St. Petersburg.
In 1992, Dan began a new chapter in his career when he started exploring his potential as an acoustic solo act. "I really just got back to basics," he explains. "My guitar, my voice and my thoughts... it was the right place for me to be at the time." Dan played everywhere from coffee houses to colleges. He eventually would come to share stages with the likes of; John Hiatt, Warren Zevon, Chris Smither, Patty Griffin and Ellis Paul
Dan would stake his claim in the singer-songwriter field in 1995 by winning the New Folk Award at the renowned Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas. A remarkable feat, Dan was chosen out of a field of over 800 entries nationwide. Past winners of this award include; Lyle Lovett, David Wilcox and John Gorka.
In 1996 Dan released his first solo CD REVOLUTION, which was recorded in Nashville, TN. . Dan currently tours as a solo act, as well as with his trio, or with a full 5 piece band.
Dan Merrill
Discography
As a solo artist: 1996-Revolution, CD (ZMG Kenneport Records 52783) 1992-Bridges CD- WCLZ Maine acoustic sampler
As a featured artist with others : 2001 w/ Under The Songtree- "Live" Annitime Records . 1996 "Magic In Memories", Duet with Canadian artist, Joan Kennedy- from the Christmas compilation album, Uniting the Spirit, for the Canadian Special Olympics- ( This Cd, also featuring Crystal Gayle, Chet Atkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis was certified gold in 1997) , 1992 Christmas In Maine, Compilation CD- Duet with Maura Clarke. 1990 -As a member of the group Cornerstone: "Foundation", ( River Records RR5031CD)
As a back up musician: 2001- Matt Newberg " For A Five", 1997 - CD "A Light for Liza" Annie Clark, 1990 CD, "Homeless Of The Heart", with The Port City Allstars.
As Producer: 2001 "Destination Known"- Tom Cornwell. ( ZMG/Kenneport Records)
Awards
1995 New Folk Award -Kerrville Folk Festival, Kerrville Tx. 1987 Male Vocalist of the Year-Maine Music Awards
Festivals/ Venues
Kerrville Folk Festival- Texas, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, NY. Rockland Folk Festival, Rockland, ME. Maine Festival. Extravaganza ( Nashville's Premier music conference), Olympic Stadium- Moscow, Octyabrasky Music Hall- St. Petersburg, Kerov Theater -St. Petersburg Russia. Merrill Auditorium, Portland, ME. Bluebird Cafe- Nashville, TN, Old Port Festival-Portland, Me, Waldo Theater- Me, Deertrees Theater- Me.
Colleges Performances
University of New England-ME, University Of Maine Orono, SUNY - Geneseo NY, Ithaca College- NY, Nazareth College of Rochester NY, Siena College-NY , Colby Sawyer College-NH, Midway College-KY, Framingham State- MA , Fairleigh- Dickinson University-NJ, Sacred Heart University- CT, Simmons College- MA,
NACA ( National Association of Campus Activities) Regional Conferences: 1997 Southwest Region, Mainstage- Dallas, Texas. 1996 Great Lakes Region Spring Conference-Ashland, Ohio, 1994 East Coast Region Coffeehouse Conference-Lancaster, PA
Quotes
" ..a record of uncommonly good songs infused with feelings so genuine you'll wonder why you're listening to anything else." FACE Magazine Editor Bennie Green
" Bouyant Acoustic rock." Neil Fagan, The Performing Songwriter- Top 12 List
" Merrill's upbeat songs about family , relationships, and social change set him squarely in the new acoustic pop or folk rock genre of perfomers like John Gorka And Jonatha Brooke." Mary Beth Lapin, Casco Bay Weekly
"...empowering and affirming lyrics are backed by some pretty catchy musical hooks." Lucky Clark, Central Maine Newspapers
" On stage, however, Merrill is a revelation. He simply open his mouth, and that emotionally tortured yet unabashedly optimistic sound pours out. The performer is so much a part of him that he seems to pull it off effortlessly." - Andre Salles FACE magazine ( Live review)
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