Biography:

Mervin James Shiner (February 20, 1921 – October 23, 2023) was an American country singer, songwriter, and guitar player, known for his honky-tonk style.

Mervin James Shiner was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on February 20, 1921. He gained popularity in Pennsylvania with his mother as a country and gospel duo on a radio program. Shiner pursued his music career in Hollywood and later returned to the East Coast, where he continued singing on radio shows and joined a local cowboy band. In 1949, he appeared on the television program “Hometown Frolic” and caught the attention of songwriter Vaughn Horton, leading to a recording contract with Decca Records.^[1] Several of his songs, such as “Why Don’t You Haul Off and Love Me“, which made the top ten on the Country & Western chart.^[2] and “Peter Cottontail,” achieved success and opened doors for him, allowing him to perform with renowned artists like Hank Williams and Minnie Pearl. He appeared as himself in the 1950 film Holiday Rhythm. Shiner toured extensively, especially in Nashville, and throughout his career he recorded for various labels, including Decca, Vocalion, Apex, Coral, RCA Victor, and Certron Records.^[3] Shiner died in Tampa, Florida on October 23, 2023, at the age of 102.^[4]

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