Big party planned for Joliet's 'Big Dog' of the blues - Chicago Sun-Times

Marty Big Dog" Mercer

Updated: September 2, 2011 9:16AM

Marty "Big Dog" Mercer has been part of the Chicago Blues scene for more than a decade, was crowned Joliet's "King of the Blues" in 2007 by the area's Guitar Center and is a signed artist with Electro Glide Records.

Yet Mercer, a sought-out presence for local charity events ("He is known as "Big Dog" because of his "big heart") found success with just two guitar lessons.

"The guy spent my time and money showing me how good he was on guitar," Mercer said, "and I learned the first three chords to a Jimi Hendrix song."

Mercer grew up in a house filled with music. His father worked in media, so he brought home all the old records earmarked for the trash can. At home, 1970s and 1980s Top 40 and country music played from the radio. Mercer's oldest brother played trombone in the school band. Mercer fell in love with the original "Blues Brothers" movie.

"I remember really getting into the Maxwell Street scene with John Lee Hooker," Mercer said. "I liked the 'Haw! Haw! Haw!' part of that song,"

When he was old enough to play in the school band, Mercer wanted a drum set but his parents, who couldn't afford another instrument, handed him his brother's forsaken trombone. Mercer played for nine years until, at 17, he decided to switch to guitar.

"I quit because it wasn't fun anymore," Mercer said, "and because it's hard to impress girls as trombone player. It's easier with a guitar."

Mercer's father, who played guitar when he was a teen, had a Gretsch acoustic guitar, but Mercer was not allowed to touch it. So his father instead bought him a Sears & Roebuck acoustic guitar, strung upside down so the left-handed Mercer could play it.

"It was the biggest piece of junk," Mercer said, "but I loved that guitar and played it for years."

His earliest influences were Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top, Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin, Tony Iommi from Black Sabbath, Ritchie Blackmore from Deep Purple and Jimi Hendrix.

But when Mercer began focusing on blues, he added others to his list: Muddy Waters for his voice and slide guitar and Freddy King for his beautiful string bends, along with Chris Cain, Ray Charles and Albert King. Today, Mercer prefers the blues to all genres.

"The blues gives me the means to express everything I can't say in words," Mercer said.

Today, anyone who plays blues from their hearts inspires Mercer. Certainly heart is at the core of Mercer's personal style. He bases his songs on "life and the strange things that happen in it" and plays as many charity events as his schedule allows.

"There are some really amazing people in this world, so if having me there raises money for someone who needs it, why wouldn't I help out?" Mercer said.

Since sharing his music for another's benefit is a part of Mercer's musical style, it's unlikely to change soon, just like his love for the blues.

"It's honest," he said. "You can't lie or fake playing the blues. Well, you can, but people will see right through it."

02 Sep, 2011

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