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Merle (Red) Taylor
Born:  May 19, 1927
Died:  May 3, 1987
Brown County Jamboree

About The Artist

Merle 'Red' Taylor was born in 1928 in a town called Saltillo, Mississippi (north of Tupelo), and as a child, learned to play the fiddle. He began to learn the old-fashioned hoedowns so well, that he was called upon to play at the local square dances and other town get togethers.

When he was just fifteen, he got his own show over WELO in Tupelo. From there he moved to Blytheville, Arkansas as part of the "Butterball" Page troupe.

Later, he moved to Nashville where he worked as part of Cousin Wilbur's show.

Merle then enlisted in the military service and after his overseas stint, came back to Nashville where he hooked up with Little Jimmy Dickens and WSM's Grand Ole Opry.

Someone at Decca Records heard him and signed him to a long-term recording contract. His recent releases back in 1954 were said to be:

  • Most of All
  • You Can't Be A Bride Without A Groom
  • Suppose We Try
  • Gimme A Little Sugar!

Credits & Sources

  • Country Song Roundup No. 29; February 1954; American Folk Publications, Inc.; Derby, CT