Mercey Brothers
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1957 |
| Founder | Larry Mercey, Ray Mercey |
| Defunct | 1989 |
| Headquarters | Hanover, Ontario , Canada |
| Products | Country music recordings and performances |
The Mercey Brothers were a prominent Canadian country music ensemble active between 1957 and 1989. Throughout their career, they secured seven Juno Awards recognizing them as "The Top Country Group" and earned induction into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.
Early life
Hailing from Hanover, Ontario, the three Mercey siblings were born in succession: Larry, the oldest, arrived on December 12, 1939; Ray followed on November 21, 1940; and Lloyd was born December 12, 1945.
Larry initiated his musical journey early on, performing in 1956 on the CKNX Barn Dance radio program based in nearby Wingham.
Formation
In 1957, Larry and Ray established The Mercey Brothers, with Larry handling guitar and vocals while Ray played bass and contributed vocals. Their style and presentation were inspired by the Everly Brothers' popular sound.
After achieving second place on CBC Television's Talent Caravan in 1960, they secured a contract with Chateau Records in 1961 and found chart success with "Just the Snap of Your Fingers."
Trio
The lineup was completed in 1966 when Lloyd joined as both vocalist and drummer. Signing with Columbia Records led to four number-one hits on RPM charts, including "Whistling on the River." Their self-titled album released in 1968 featured tracks such as "Uncle Tom," "What’s a Guy to Do?" and "The Great Snowman."
In 1969, they issued singles like "Who Drinks My Beer When I’m Gone" and "Ordinary Peeping Tom" under the albums My Song For You (Columbia) and The Mercey Brothers (Harmony).
Transitioning to RCA Records in 1970, they produced multiple radio favorites. The group earned Juno Awards for Best Country Group or Duo consecutively from 1970 through 1974, with an additional win in 1976.
Their 1971 tour of England included a BBC television appearance. The RCA release Have Mercey showcased hits such as "Hello Mom" and "Who Wrote the Words." They also hosted a program titled The Mercey Brothers Show.
In 2021, Larry Mercey authored Have Mercy: My First 60 Years Making Music, offering insights into the band's history including early gigs in Saulte Ste Marie, Ontario.
Lineup changes
Ray Mercey departed from the band in 1980 to prioritize family matters. His role was subsequently filled by bassist Gord Ogilvie and lead guitarist Darrell Scott. Additional members over time included Dann Peer, Gord Heins, John Dymond, and Eric Mahar. The group dissolved in 1989, the same year they were inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.
Mercey Brothers sound
By 1973, The Mercey Brothers had established their own recording facility in Elmira, Ontario, which remained operational until 1980. This studio enabled them greater artistic control over their productions. Concurrently, they founded their own label named MBS (Mercey Brothers Sound), signing artists such as Terry Carisse, Marie Bottrell, and Joan Kennedy.
Albums
| Year | Album | Chart Positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAN Country | CAN | ||
| 1968 | Mercey Brothers | — | — |
| 1969 | My Song for You | — | — |
| 1970 | Mercey Brothers | — | — |
| Naturally | — | — | |
| 1971 | Have Mercey | — | 68 |
| 1972 | Mercey Brothers Country | — | — |
| 1973 | Mercey Brothers | — | — |
| 1975 | Did You Hear My Song | — | — |
| Best of the Mercey Brothers | — | — | |
| 1976 | Homemade | — | — |
| Mercey Brothers Radio Show | — | — | |
| 1977 | Comin' on Stronger | 4 | — |
| 1980 | Command Performance | — | — |
| 1982 | Mercey Brothers | — | — |
| 1984 | Latest and Greatest Volume 1 | 26 | — |
| 1985 | Love Is the Reason | — | — |
| 1988 | Latest and Greatest Volume 2 | — | — |
| 1990 | 30 Greatest: Their Hits and More | — | — |
Singles
"If I Believed in Myself" Jamie 20 — — You Know It Felt Good 23 — — Home Along the Highway 31 — — Comin' on Stronger 10 — — Stranger 9 — — Hell Bent for Mexico 13 — — I Wish You Could Have Turned My Head 15 — — Your Eyes Don't Lie to Me 27 — — Makin' the Night the Best Part of My Day 48 — — Sweet Harmony 20 22 — The Same Eyes That Always Drove Me Crazy 24 — — Maybe It's Love This Time 8 — — I've Already Left You (In My Mind) 12 — — The Day That You Walked In 29 — — Anytime Down 32 — — Leader of the Band 9 21 — Love at Last Sight 8 — — You Lifted Me High Enough 10 — — Love Is the Reason 7 13 — Take a Little Chance on Love 6 — — Pretty Diamond Ring 8 — — Heroes 9 — — Raised by the Radio 8 — —External links
| Year | Song Title | Highest Chart Positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN Country | CAN AC | CAN | |||
| 1966 | "Whistle on the River" | 1 | — | — | The Mercey Brothers (1968) |
| 1967 | "Uncle Tom" | 1 | — | — | |
| 1968 | "Absent Minded Me" | 27 | — | — | |
| 1969 | "Who Drinks My Beer When I'm Gone" | 1 | — | — | My Song for You |
| "Ordinary Peeping Tom" | 3 | — | — | ||
| 1970 | "My Song for You" | 2 | — | — | |
| "Goodbye" | — | — | 75 | ||
| "Pickin' Up the Pieces" | 4 | — | — | ||
| "Old Bill Jones" | 1 | 18 | — | The Mercey Brothers (1970) | |
| 1971 | "Knocking Down the Hard Times" | 36 | 26 | — | |
| "Hello Mom" | 1 | 1 | 36 | Have Mercey | |
| "Who Wrote the Words" | "1"|—| | ||||
| "The Day of Love" | "20"|—| | ||||
| "Kentucky Turn Your Back" | "3"|—| | ||||
| "The Day of Love" (re-release) | "33"|—| | ||||
| "It's So Easy to Please Me" | —|—| | ||||
| "Meant to Be with Me" | "39"|—| | ||||
| "Our Loving Times" | —|—| | ||||
| "I Heard Bells" | "21"|—| | ||||
| "California Lady" | "25"|"77"| | ||||
| "Did You Hear My Song" | —|—| | ||||
| "Lovin' You from a Distance" | "19"|—| | ||||
| "Old Loves Never Die" | "41"|—| | ||||
| "23"|—| | |||||