Marty "Big Dog" Mercer

A towering figure in stature and the world of blues, is a force to be reckoned with in the music scene.            
In 2016, his exceptional talent was officially recognized as he was inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame, a well-deserved honor for his nearly two decades of dedicated contributions to the genre. 

With his signature Southpaw Blues style and a voice that seems to carry the weight of life's stories, Mercer is a true artist.
His lyrics are a heartfelt narrative of the human experience, and his guitar skills, both aggressive and soulful, add a layer of depth to his music that is simply mesmerizing. 

Standing at a towering 6'10" and weighing 300 pounds, Mercer's physical presence matches his musical prowess.
His stage presence can not be ignored, and his personality is as grand as his stature.
When he steps onto the stage, he owns it, and the audience can't help but be drawn into his world of Blues. 

Performing almost 200 shows annually, Mercer and his band are a constant presence in the Midwest music scene and beyond.
They have a remarkable ability to capture the hearts of fans and garner praise from music critics. Each performance is an electrifying experience, where Mercer's passion for the Blues shines through every note he plays and every lyric he sings. 

His dedication to the Blues goes beyond the stage. Mercer is a true ambassador of the genre, ensuring that the soulful sound of Blues continues to reach new audiences. His induction into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame was a recognition of his past accomplishments and a nod to his ongoing commitment to preserving and advancing this beloved musical tradition. 

As Marty "Big Dog" Mercer continues to howl the Blues through his guitar and vocals, he carries the spirit of those who had come before him while inspiring a new generation of Blues enthusiasts.

His journey through the blues is far from over, and his legacy will resonate for years to come.

 

Timeline

2003 - Released first album titled "Swamp Boogie" (self)

2007 - Crowned Joliet, IL's "King Of The Blues" at Guitar Center

2010 - Signed a four-year recording contract with Electro Glide Records

2010 - Released second album titled "Attack of the Southpaw" (EGR)

2010 - Placed second in the Muddy Waters Slide Guitar Championship

2011 - Awarded "Best Blues Band" by SuburbaNites Magazine Awards

2011 - Released third album titled "Big Dog" Mercer (EGR)

2012 - Awarded "Best Blues Band" by SuburbaNites Magazine Awards

2012 - Tied for first place in the Chicago Blues Challenge at Chicago Blues Festival

2013 - Inducted into the Joliet Blues Hall of Fame

2015 - Awarded "Best Blues Artist" in the Kankakee Valley music awards

2016 - Released fourth album titled "It Ain't Easy" (self)

2016 - Inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame

2017 - Awarded "Best Blues Artist" in the Kankakee Valley music awards

2017 - Performed two shows at the Blues on the Bay festival in Warrenpoint, UK (N. Ireland)

2018 - Performed six shows at the Blues on the Bay festival in Warrenpoint, UK (N. Ireland)

2018 - Performed live on BBC during the Blues on the Bay festival in Warrenpoint, UK (N. Ireland)

2019 - Performed 13 shows in Ireland, including eight performances at the Blues on the Bay festival in Warrenpoint, UK. (N. Ireland)

2020 - Nominated for "Artist of the Year" & "Best Blues Artist" for Region Music Awards

2021 - Awarded "Best Blues Artist" for Region Music Awards

2023 - Placed second in the International Blues Challenge

Festivals

Arlington Heights Heritage Days Festival

Bensenville Days Festival

Big Red Barn Festival

Blues N Brews Fest on Rt 66, Joliet

Bolingbrook Promenade Concert Series

Brookfield 4th of July Festival

Cedar Lake Festival

Chicago Blues Festival

Chicago Oyster Festival

Chicago CiniFest

Frankfort Fall Festival

Frankfort Rib Festival

Frontier Days Festival

Harvard Blues Festival

Illinois Blues Festival

Illinois State Fair

International Guinness Blues On The Bay Festival (UK) 

Joliet Blues Festival

Kankakee Blues Festival

Concert in the Park - Lake Geneva WI

Lansing Blues Festival

LaPorte County Fair

Lyon's Red, White, and Blues Festival

Long Grove Strawberry Festival

Make Music Normal

McHenry Blues & BBQ Festival

Merchant Street Music Festival

Naperville Rib Fest

Northwest Spirits and Wine Festival

Old Canal Days

Orland Days – Orland Park, IL

Palos Park Concert on the Green

Pasta Vino Little Italy Fest

Peoria Blues & Heritage Festival

Pierogfi Festival - Whiting IN

Pork N Blues Festival

Promenade Bolingbrook IL

Scarecrow Festival

Schererville Fest

Shorewood BBQ, Brews & Blues Festival

St John Festival

Summer Concert Series - Beecher IL

Summer Concert Series - Brookfield IL

Summer Concert Series - Frankfort IL

Summer Concert Series - Hoffman Estates IL

Summer Concert Series - Glen Towne Center IL

Summer Concert Series - Lake Geneva, WI

Summer Concert Series - Munster IN

Summer Concert Series - Olympia Fields IL

Summer Concert Series - Palos Park IL

Summer Concert Series - Roselle IL

Summer Concert Series - Schererville IN

Summer Concert Series - Shorewood IL

Summer Concert Series - Sycamore IL

Summer Concert Series - Zion IL

Summer Sounds on the Green - Hoffman Estates IL

Taste of Joliet

Taste of Orland Park

Taste of Westmont Muddy Waters' Tribute

West Loop Chocolate & Wine Festival

Windy City Blues Society Festival

Notable Venues

Arcada Theater - St Charles, IL

BB's Soup Blues & Jazz - St Louis, MO

Balmoral Racetrack – Crete, IL

Balmoral - UK

Blue Chip Casino – Michigan City, IN

Bladon Park - Belfast, UK

Club Cheri - UK

Drake Hotel - Chicago IL

Enler's Delta Blues Club - UK

Evanston Rocks – Evanston, IL

Fairmont at Millennium Park – Chicago, IL

Gilmore Car Museum - Fair Oaks, MI

Governors State University – Univ. Park, IL

Grand Victoria Casino – Elgin, IL

Hard Rock Cafe - Chicago, IL

Harlem Avenue Lounge - Berwyn, IL

Harrah's Casino – Joliet, IL

Historical Museum - Joliet, IL

House Of Blues - Chicago, IL

Horseshoe Casino - Hammond, IN

Johnny's Blitz - Westmont, IL

John Hancock Tower – Chicago, IL

Kingston Mines – Chicago, IL

Lagrange Country Club - Lagrange, IL

Lansing Library Concerts – Lansing, IL

Legends – Chicago, IL

McManus Bar - Ireland

Majestic Theater – Kankakee, IL

Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals - DesPlaines, IL

Millennium Park – Chicago, IL

Nan Rices - Newry, UK

Navy Pier – Chicago, IL

No. 7 Duke St. - UK

Rosa's Lounge – Chicago, IL

Rt 66 Speedway – Joliet, IL

Rum Boogie - Memphis ,TN

Renaissance Hotel - Chicago, IL

Shaw's - Chicago, IL

Slippery Noodle - Indianapolis, IN.

Smoke Daddy – Chicago, IL

Starved Rock State Park - Utica, IL

The Alamo - Springfield, IL

Whilstledown Hotel - UK

Ye Old Ship - UK

Wilmot Ski Resort – Wilmot, WI