Eric Rhoads' Blog
Radio Pioneer Tom Merriman Dies
November 11, 2009: Tom Merriman, who founded TM Studios and influenced radio and TV worldwide with his innovative jingles and spots, has died. He was 85.
TM Studios' tribute to Merriman notes that he wrote the first jingle ever recorded in Dallas -- for KLIF -- and was one of the original owners of KLIV. In 1952, Merriman joined Gordon McLendon's Liberty Network as music arranger, soon becoming bandleader, and in 1967, he partnered with Jim Long to found TM Productions, and later owned Commercial Recording Corp. The TM Companies eventually grew to include programming, full-time formats, and music libraries.
Merriman, a Julliard-educated musician, also wrote and produced music for Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, among others, and mentoring countless young musicians.
All of us at Radio Ink extend our condolences to Merriman's family, friends, and associates.
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(11/12/2009 9:55:20 AM) I believe Tom was part owner of Commercial Recording Corporation, located on Routh Street in Dallas, with John Coyle prior to forming TM with Jim Long, who also worked for CRC with Tom prior to both departing. Coyle continued on with CRC, but CRC went into bankruptcy in 1969 and the master jingle tracks and library tracks were sold at auction. |
| - cliffhunter |
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(11/11/2009 6:50:18 PM) Oh, and he didn't own KLIV (San Jose), he owned KVIL (Dallas). |
| - David Jackson |
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(11/11/2009 6:48:38 PM) The actual Tom Merriman tribute site is: http://www.tommerrimantribute.com/ |
| - David Jackson |
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(11/11/2009 6:46:48 PM) The link to the Tom Merriman tribute not only doesn't work ... it doesn't make sense. DJ |
| - David Jackson |
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