Information/Write-up
Diane Merritt emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s as a Canadian country and folk vocalist whose career bridged regional television exposure, touring, and national recording activity. Born in Russell, Manitoba, she later relocated to Ontario, spending formative years in Hamilton and becoming active on the Southern Ontario club, broadcast, and television circuit.
Merritt first gained public visibility through regular appearances on CHCH-TV in Hamilton, notably on Music Go Round, a program that served as an important showcase for emerging performers. Alongside her television work, she built a live following through nightclub engagements, concerts, and radio appearances across southwestern Ontario—an essential proving ground for Canadian country artists during the period.
A significant step in her development came when Merritt began touring with the Varga Brothers, who played a key role in shaping her early repertoire and introducing her more fully to country music. Through this association, she expanded her profile with guest appearances on Canadian television and radio programs, including CFTO-TV productions and country-oriented broadcasts originating from Kitchener, Ontario. Her exposure also extended into the United States through appearances connected to the WWVA Jamboree in Wheeling, West Virginia.
In 1972, Merritt recorded her debut album, Angel of My Dreams, for Arc Records. Produced by Ben Weatherby and backed by The Mus-Tangs, the LP presented her from what the label described as the “sweet side of country,” combining contemporary Nashville material with a polished studio sound. The album featured musicians including Mickey McGivern, with choral background vocals by The Sugar Shoppe, placing Merritt within a professional Canadian studio environment at a time when female country vocalists were gaining increased visibility.
During the same period, Merritt released several singles between 1972 and 1973 on both Arc Records and Columbia Records. These included “Angel of My Dreams,” “I Love You,” and “Baby, Baby, Baby,” the latter backed with “Lonely Woman.” Much of her recorded material from this era was written by Ernie Varga, who—along with Fred Carter—also handled production on her Columbia releases. The singles reflected a stylistic range that moved fluidly between country, folk, and pop-oriented presentation, aligning her sound with contemporary radio formats.
In addition to her solo releases, Merritt recorded several tracks that appeared exclusively on multi-artist country compilations. Most notably, she contributed three songs—“Burning a Hole in My Mind,” “I Don’t Want to Play House,” and “What Kind of Girl Do You Think I Am”—to the LP Country Hits, which also featured Dick Nolan, Len Carlson, Neville Plumbs, and Billy Adams, backed by Mickey McGivern and The Mus-Tangs. These recordings did not appear on her Arc album or Columbia singles and represent otherwise unavailable material from her early-1970s studio work.
-Robert Williston
Musicians
Diane Merritt: vocals
Mickey McGivern: lead guitar
Billy Adams: rhythm guitar
Buddy Saul: steel guitar
Jerry Lee Legacy: bass
Billy Wilson: drums
The Sugar Shoppe: choral background vocals
Production
Produced by Ben Weatherby
Notes
ANGEL OF MY DREAMS is Diane Merritt’s first recording. Diane regards the album as the start of a new career — a career that really counts in a field where expectations run high and reputations are gained or lost in a twinkling.
Miss Merritt is right on all counts! Her debut in the world of recorded music is indeed the beginning — ANGEL OF MY DREAMS the first card played in a magnificent gamble.
This gamble could hardly lack the backing of one who rarely made bad bets: THE MUS-TANGS who masterfully back her on it, the entire Arc Records staff from sound studio to pressing and selling, and most of all Diane Merritt to win. From all quarters it’s unanimous! “A big hand for the little lady.”
Diane Merritt who inspires such confidence is twenty-one years old. She was born in Russel, Manitoba, spending her high school days in Sudbury. “The angel of everyman’s dream” Diane has been in the music limelight for only two years.
Rising to prominence as a member of CHCH-TV’s very popular “Music Go Round”, guesting on that show and others, notably with Moose Letrick over CFGM, Ontario’s Country King, Diane is widely heard (mostly at clubs) and in concert.
Now touring with the Varga Brothers (it was Ernie Varga who introduced her to Country music), Diane is heard regularly on the Main Event Show — CFTO-TV; What’s Happening also CFTO-TV; Wayne and Shuster; Windsor, West Virginia and the highly rated Country Buck TV Show which originated from Kitchener, Ontario.
This album introduces Diane Merritt to the nation from the “Sweet Side of Country”. Diane’s style, her voice, her super-charged presence — all the great gifts this lovely girl possesses in abundance — have gained for her an enormous audience. ANGEL OF MY DREAMS is a debut album no one will want to miss. It’s a “dream” of an album.
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