Mervin Shiner

Mervin James Shiner
Mervin Shiner in 1950
Mervin Shiner in 1950
Background information
Born(1921-02-20)February 20, 1921
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedOctober 23, 2023(2023-10-23) (aged 102)
Tampa, Florida, U.S.
GenreCountry
OccupationsSinger-songwriter, musician
InstrumentsGuitar
LabelsDecca, Vocalian, Apex, Coral, RCA Victor, Certron

Mervin James Shiner (February 20, 1921 – October 23, 2023) was an American country singer, songwriter, and guitar player, known for his honky-tonk style.

Biography

Mervin James Shiner was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on February 20, 1921. He gained popularity in Pennsylvania with his mother as a country and gospel duo on a radio program.

In 1942, during World War II, wanting to find musical success in Hollywood as a solo artist, Shiner briefly moved away to Los Angeles, California, only to return shortly after.

Shiner pursued his music career in Hollywood and later returned to the East Coast, where he continued singing on radio shows and joined a local cowboy band. In 1949, he appeared on the television program "Hometown Frolic" and caught the attention of songwriter Vaughn Horton, leading to a recording contract with Decca Records.

Several of his songs, such as "Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me", which made the top ten on the country and western chart, plus the three million-seller, "Peter Cottontail", achieved success and opened doors for him, allowing him to perform with renowned artists such as Hank Williams and Minnie Pearl.

Shiner appeared briefly in a cameo appearance as himself in his only film appearance in 1950 film Holiday Rhythm. Shiner toured extensively, especially in Nashville, and throughout his career he recorded for various labels, including Decca, Vocalion, Apex, Coral, RCA Victor, and Certron Records.

Shiner died in Tampa, Florida, on October 23, 2023, at the age of 102.

Discography

Singles

Albums

References

  1. 1 2 3 Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 53. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  2. ↑ Mervin Shiner Hillbilly Music
  3. 1 2 Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 512.
  4. ↑ "Mervin Shiner". Discogs.
  5. ↑ "Merv Shiner". Dignity Memorial. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  6. ↑ "Mervin Shiner". Discogs. Retrieved 2026-10-13.