Buddy Merrick & Praise

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Buddy Merrick & Praise was formed in 1993, shortly after David Griffin joined the Merrick family full-time. Grandson David learned to sing "across the miles" on the telephone as his Nana (Carol) would play Jesus songs for him on the piano. By the time he was 15, however, David found himself in a depressing situation, surrounded by drugs, sin and poverty in Arkansas. Since Buddy had been recording and singing for about ten years, it was only natural that a common love for Jesus and His music quickly bonded the three family singers.		The Group first recorded in 1994 with gospel music Hall-of-Famer and producer Ben Speer at Homeland Records' Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. From that session, two albums emerged, "Gospel Country" and "More Gospel Country," and along with them, the chart-busting hit, "Jesus is... (In Every Book Of The Bible) " written by Buddy Merrick. Even to this day, "Jesus is... " continues to receive heavy airplay on radio stations nationwide. The initial pressing completely sold out, and reorder sales of these two classic albums still remain strong across the country.
	In the Fall of 1994, Buddy Merrick & Praise first performed their Broadway-style show, "Welcome Home, America." based on the Persian Gulf War hit written by Buddy and Bill and Gloria Gaither and recorded on the album of the same title. The Praise program includes songs from all the Praise country gospel albums, plus drama, video, effects, audience participation and skits honoring the sacrifice of soldiers, sailors and airmen and women in all our nation's wars. The show's been performed, especially at VFW conventions, in major cities including Las Vegas, Dallas, Corpus Christi, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, and is still in demand today.	Equipped with a 50-foot motor coach and trailer, Buddy Merrick & Praise travel and sing across America, primarily in the East, South and Mid-West. Ordained by the Southern Baptist Convention in 1985, Rev. Merrick often adds Scripture and a little preaching in Praise concerts, an added dimension to this multi-talented trio, who were voted by readers of the Public Opinion newspaper poll as the "Best Local Musician or Band" for 1997.
	Among its hit songs are "Burnin Up The Barn," performed with stunning theatrical smoke and effects, and "Mama Cried" and "I Still Believe," co-written by Buddy and country star Daron Norwood, a fellow Texan. The album was mixed by Les Ladd, the Grammy award-winning engineer for the Oak Ridge Boys, and was recorded by Praise in studios adjacent to the Oaks' Nashville offices.
From this experience, Buddy Merrick & Praise began adding lighting and special effects to all their presentations, especially in their new 1997 country gospel program which highlights songs from their latest album, "Living On The Edge." Produced by the 1997 Singing News Producer of the Year Eddie Crook, the album features a definite Nashville country sound that has separated Buddy Merrick & Praise from the majority of other Southern Gospel groups. The title cut, written by gospel veteran Gerald Crabb, was released to radio stations and the album to stores across America in August, 1997, on both CD and cassette.

David's first two hits are sure to be "More Like Jesus," from the "Edge... " album and the big ballad, "Dying To Know Me" written by Phil Cross. With a single-minded determination to present God's songs as a professional gospel singer, David's enrolled as a full-time student at Hagerstown (Maryland) Community College, and plans to transfer to Nashville's Belmont University in 1999, following the award of his Associate in Arts Degree.

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Look for Buddy Merrick & Praise promotions in upcoming issues of The Singing News and other gospel publications and, of course, on the charts with "Living On the Edge." Please, call those DJ's and request the song! To book a concert, just ca11 (717) 375-4000 daytime, or toll-free (888) 878-8190 anytime.

The Bible says God inhabits Praise.

In their concerts, Buddy Merrick & Praise determine to show just that.

To God Be The Glory!