I was about three years old when I picked up a microphone for the first
time at my father's Pentecostal Church and I have been singing ever
since.  My father never embraced my music but he was happy for my
success!

My musical career begin while in grade school when I formed my first
musical group.  One of the members of that group, "Reno" Smith",
performed with me as a member of the Marcels.

My career has been quite varied including singing lead for The
Electrons and our hit '45 record "It Ain't No Big Thing" and then opening
my own night club following that success.

"Where Did I Go Wrong", a song I wrote and originally recorded as a
single, made the Top 10 in the United Kingdom.  It was later released on
my CD "Richie Merritt - Then & Now".

My repertoire of songs is quite varied because of the groups that I have
been associated with over the years.  When I sang lead with High
Society we played primarily mellow jazz standards including Johnny
Mathis and some Mel Torme scat-style singing!  The Electrons and the
Vibrators were basically funk, soul and R & B whereas The Laurels and
The Memories were show bands and we did a mix of the '50's, 60's and
70's with the emphasis on Motown and choreography of The
Temptations, We opened for The Four Tops, Jackie Wilson and Marvin
Gaye just to name a few.

I joined The Clover's in 1993 when I signed a contract with them as their
new lead tenor.  We played Atlantic City six months a year, toured the
"shag circuit" in the Carolina's, appeared in Las Vegas and performed at
concerts throughout the United States. On September 29, 2002 we
(The Clover's) appeared on PBS's DOO WOP 51 and we were inducted
into the Vocal Group Hall Of Fame that same year.  This was the last
time the group took the stage until the group was re-formulated some
years later.  I joined The Marcels full time in late 2002 although I had
been appearing with them for some time for special performances.  We
(The Marcels) appered on PBS's "My Music on May 21, 2010.  Now
after almost nine years I have left The Marcels and will be spending
more time at home performing locally as Richie Merritt Live!!

Whenever you see me performing one thing each show will have in
common is that you will be provided with a fast paced, entertaining
evening that will bring back wonderful memories of days gone by!!
Richie Merritt Now!
* Personal Info *