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The Merry Melody Singers

A recording vocal group based in Nashville Tennessee, active from at least 1961 to 1966. They consisted of 3 members of the Jordanaires quartet (Gordon Stoker, Neal Matthews Jr., and Ray Walker), and usually at least one, and sometimes two female vocalists (Margie Singleton and/or Millie Kirkham).

According to rumor, Mercury/Smash records producer Shelby Singleton wasn’t fond of the 4th member of the Jordanaires, and he also wanted to provide some work for his wife at the time, Margie Singleton.

One of the first recordings they were heard on was Clyde McPhatter’s 1961 recording Next To Me/Little Bitty Pretty One. The Merry Melody singers are also credited as recording with a 16-year old Dolly Parton, Ray Stevens, Brook Benton, Patti Page, Donny Young (later known as Johnny Paycheck), Damita Jo, James O’Gwynn, Faron Young, and many others.

The Jordanaires also recorded under the name the Almanac Singers and the Valley Singers, all while they were signed under the name Jordanaires to Capitol Records.