Don Merckle

A darkly honest and wry singer/songwriter out of Charleston, South Carolina, Don Merckle’s songs are firmly planted among the fertile mixed traditions of American music. He is a workman's poet, capable of delivering a rock and roll growl or a quiet dose of smoky barroom introspection with equal passion.

Don is a veteran of the indie music scene in the Southeast. He founded the popular Appalachian/Irish outfit Loch Ness Johnny in 1998, which he led for  many years.  He co-fronted the rambunctious Alt-Country band American Gun from 2005-2010, and in 2011 he founded the jaunty  Don Merckle & the Blacksmiths. At the end of 2019 he left the band to focus on his song craft. In his current solo work he is leaning into more stately and thoughtful singing which highlights the darkly emotional lyrical contours that are the hallmark of his best work.

Don has performed relentlessly across the southeast for over 20 years at clubs and festivals. He has shared stages with acts like Drivin' N Cryin', Lucero, Shooter Jennings, The Avett Brothers, Cracker, and more. His latest work has a sound and feel that ably captures the ineffable blend of American roots music and rock and roll at the heart of his songs, all delivered with the kind of effortless roots-rock sweep which has made Jason Isbell and The Avetts  into household names.