Joe Merrick

By Ruth Thompson
Posted Nov. 29, 2013 @ 12:01 am
Updated Nov 29, 2013 at 8:00 PM

Scituate

Joe Merrick wears many hats.

The Marshfield resident is a renowned singer/songwriter whose talents as a multi-instrumentalist and music producer – he owns the Guilty Dog recording studio in Marshfield – stretch beyond the South Shore.

He has shared a mic with Steven Tyler of Aerosmith at a local charity event.

“I used to sing his songs in high school and suddenly I’m singing harmonies with him? Crazy,” Merrick said.

And he has also enjoyed two well-received performances opening up for Steve Miller over the summer at the Cape Cod Melody Tent, and the South Shore Music Circus.

However, perhaps one of Merrick’s most lucrative accomplishments was winning the ‘Ooh It’s Love’ contest sponsored by Ernie Boch, Jr., local philanthropist and owner of several auto dealerships, including Boch Subaru.

Merrick’s winning jingle enjoyed six weeks of media exposure on New England television and radio airwaves.

“Every day I get a Facebook message from someone new that sees or hears my song in the Subaru commercial,” he said. “The exposure has been amazing.”

Merrick’s songwriting style has been compared to Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20, James Taylor, Marc Cohn and the Allman Brothers.

He has recently signed a deal with Pen Publishing, The Music Library, and Audiosparx.

One of his songs, “Good Feeling For A Change” was licensed to use in an upcoming television show on Lifetime Television, as well as three MTV network shows.

A Guilty Dog recording was included on the HBO series “The Sopranos.”

Additionally, in what has turned out to be a whirlwind year for Merrick, he has also formed a “strategic partnership” with local video producer Michael Carroll to offer expanded services providing increased exposure to area performers.

“This is a visual world we’re living in,” Merrick said. “Musicians need more than just audio to spread the world – they need videos to reach social media.”

Having worked with musicians who have played upon international stages, Merrick has himself received songwriting awards from The Great American Song Contest, Song of the Year, and Billboard, among others.

He recently finished a live concert film documentary entitled “Live at Korzec’s Barn.”

“This was such a wonderful surprise and the response from everyone I know and even people I don't know has been amazing,” Merrick said of the commercial win. “I guess I'm the ‘Subaru guy’ for a while. Winning the contest has certainly helped me get my name out there and should help me make advances in promoting my music.”

For more information on Joe Merrick, visit his Facebook page under Joe Merrick Fan Page.

To view Merrick’s winning commercial on YouTube visit https://w ww.youtube.com/watch?v=k_wyw7U2Xuk
To see Merrick sharing a mic with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGdm2JwzOHE

Live Show: Joe Merrick and his band rock the stage, along with talented Boston folk-rock band American Beauties, to kick off the Big Freeze Winter Concert Series on Friday, December 6th from 9 p.m. until midnight at The Cavern at the Cavern, 56 Main Street in Plymouth.

This show's sure to be a fun, danceable, rockin' time, so please join us! - Wicked Local

Lisa Kashinsky
lkashinsky@wickedlocal.com
Posted May. 5, 2014 @ 9:00 am
Updated May 5, 2014 at 11:26 AM

Local singer/songwriter Joe Merrick is looking to expand his talents to television.

Merrick, who also produces and owns the Guilty Dog recording studio in Marshfield, is competing in The Voice Bootcamp Experience presented by Extra TV.

“Every time I see that show I always wonder if I should do it,” Merrick said of The Voice. “I don’t want to have a regret or wonder.”

At the urging of a friend, Merrick decided to go out for the contest. Marshfield video producer Michael Carroll recorded Merrick singing and playing the piano for the song “Hallelujah,” and then Merrick submitted it to the competition’s website for the voting round, where people select their favorite artist. Voting ends May 9.

The winner will get a lesson from The Voice vocal coach, a makeover from The Voice stylists and an audition with The Voice casting director.

“I’m ready for something as big as that,” Merrick said.

Merrick, a former Randolph resident who now lives in Marshfield, started his musical journey as a drummer.

“My voice was never something I strived for,” he said. “I just wanted to be a great writer.”

But lately, Merrick said people have been paying more attention to his voice.

“Lately people are telling me they like my voice,” Merrick said. “It’s giving me the courage and confidence to do The Voice."

The Voice competition isn’t the only thing Merrick is keeping busy with.

In April, Merrick performed in a band for Carole King at an event in New Hampshire. The band, which included Merrick’s friend from Randolph, drummer Dave DiCenso, played a set of American-themed songs and then performed with King herself.

“She was really nice, really down to earth,” Merrick said, adding that she “appreciates the musicians who have played with her” and thanked the band after the show.

In March, Merrick won two awards from Limelight Magazine – male vocalist of the year and song of the year for “We’d Be Lying,” which he co-wrote with Kiley Evans.

“When you win an award it goes a long way,” Merrick said. “I’m an artist, I’m sensitive and I’m insecure and when someone you think is great tells you you’re great, it helps you out.”

Merrick is also doing commercial work.

Since winning the ‘Ooh It’s Love’ contest last year – sponsored by Ernie Boch Jr., a local philanthropist and owner of several auto dealerships including Boch Subaru – Merrick has had the opportunity to sing on multiple commercials. He recently recorded his second commercial for Work Out World.
He’s also working on five songs for a new album, titled “Priscilla.”

Named both for the piano in his studio and for the ghost that’s said to haunt the building, the album will be a piano-centered record, Merrick said. The sound will be an “Elton John, Billy Joel type of thing,” he said.

All of the songs will be original compositions except a piano-based cover of “Stairway to Heaven,” Merrick said.

“Being a songwriter is my passion,” Merrick said. “I’ve been working on it more and more these days.”

To vote for Merrick in Extra’s The Voice Bootcamp Experience, go to https://extrathevoice.rally.org/joemerrick. Voting ends May 9.

Merrick’s music is currently available on iTunes and on his website, www.joemerrick.com. - Wicked Local