John Merchant plays the music of his own generation and brought his love of traditional country music, 60s pop, 70s radio staples (like personal favorites Bobbie Gentry and Fleetwood Mac), into his rock n roll home. From the rock/metal/hair artists of the 80s, he researched and backtracked, truly finding his calling in blues based rock n roll like Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, the Faces, and the Who. 1980s hair metal pointed him to the glitter rock of Mott the Hoople, David Bowie, and the New York Dolls, as well as acts like the Ramones, Stooges, MC5, and Sex Pistols.

Playing music has allowed him to travel the country, make music in major markets like New York City, Nashville, Chicago, St. Louis, Memphis, and Key West, and share stages with acts like CCR, the Goo Goo Dolls, Swag, Robbie Fulks, Rachel Proctor, Deana Carter, and others as a member of Dutch Henry, and with artists such as Ray Wylie Hubbard and Peggy Young as a solo artist.