
Marty "Big Dog" Mercer, a towering figure in stature and the world of blues, is a force to be reckoned with in the music scene.
In 2016, his exceptional talent was officially recognized as he was inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame, a well-deserved honor for his nearly two decades of dedicated contributions to the genre.
With his signature Southpaw Blues style and a voice that seems to carry the weight of life's stories, Mercer is a true artist.
His lyrics are a heartfelt narrative of the human experience, and his guitar skills, both aggressive and soulful, add a layer of depth to his music that is simply mesmerizing.
Standing at a towering 6'10" and weighing 300 pounds, Mercer's physical presence matches his musical prowess.
His stage presence can not be ignored, and his personality is as grand as his stature.
When he steps onto the stage, he owns it, and the audience can't help but be drawn into his world of Blues.
Performing almost 200 shows annually, Mercer and his band are a constant presence in the Midwest music scene and beyond.
They have a remarkable ability to capture the hearts of fans and garner praise from music critics. Each performance is an electrifying experience, where Mercer's passion for the Blues shines through every note he plays and every lyric he sings.
His dedication to the Blues goes beyond the stage. Mercer is a true ambassador of the genre, ensuring that the soulful sound of Blues continues to reach new audiences. His induction into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame was a recognition of his past accomplishments and a nod to his ongoing commitment to preserving and advancing this beloved musical tradition.
As Marty "Big Dog" Mercer continues to howl the Blues through his guitar and vocals, he carries the spirit of those who had come before him while inspiring a new generation of Blues enthusiasts.
His journey through the blues is far from over, and his legacy will resonate for years to come.
Timeline
2003 - Released first album titled "Swamp Boogie" (self)
2007 - Crowned Joliet, IL's "King Of The Blues" at Guitar Center
2010 - Signed a four-year recording contract with Electro Glide Records
2010 - Released second album titled "Attack of the Southpaw" (EGR)
2010 - Placed second in the Muddy Waters Slide Guitar Championship
2011 - Awarded "Best Blues Band" by SuburbaNites Magazine Awards
2011 - Released third album titled "Big Dog" Mercer (EGR)
2012 - Awarded "Best Blues Band" by SuburbaNites Magazine Awards
2012 - Tied for first place in the Chicago Blues Challenge at Chicago Blues Festival
2013 - Inducted into the Joliet Blues Hall of Fame
2015 - Awarded "Best Blues Artist" in the Kankakee Valley music awards
2016 - Released fourth album titled "It Ain't Easy" (self)
2016 - Inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame
2017 - Awarded "Best Blues Artist" in the Kankakee Valley music awards
2017 - Performed two shows at the Blues on the Bay festival in Warrenpoint, UK (N. Ireland)
2018 - Performed six shows at the Blues on the Bay festival in Warrenpoint, UK (N. Ireland)
2018 - Performed live on BBC during the Blues on the Bay festival in Warrenpoint, UK (N. Ireland)
2019 - Performed 13 shows in Ireland, including eight performances at the Blues on the Bay festival in Warrenpoint, UK. (N. Ireland)
2020 - Nominated for "Artist of the Year" & "Best Blues Artist" for Region Music Awards
2021 - Awarded "Best Blues Artist" for Region Music Awards
2023 - Place second in the International Blues Challenge

Festivals
Arlington Heights Heritage Days Festival
Bensenville Days Festival
Big Red Barn Festival
Blues N Brews Fest on Rt 66, Joliet
Bolingbrook Promenade Concert Series
Brookfield 4th of July Festival
Cedar Lake Festival
Chicago Blues Festival
Chicago Oyster Festival
Chicago CiniFest
Frankfort Fall Festival
Frankfort Rib Festival
Frontier Days Festival
Harvard Blues Festival
Illinois Blues Festival
Illinois State Fair
International Guinness Blues On The Bay Festival (UK)
Joliet Blues Festival
Kankakee Blues Festival
Concert in the Park - Lake Geneva WI
Lansing Blues Festival
LaPorte County Fair
Lyon's Red, White, and Blues Festival
Long Grove Strawberry Festival
Make Music Normal
McHenry Blues & BBQ Festival
Merchant Street Music Festival
Naperville Rib Fest
Northwest Spirits and Wine Festival
Old Canal Days
Orland Days – Orland Park, IL
Palos Park Concert on the Green
Pasta Vino Little Italy Fest
Peoria Blues & Heritage Festival
Pierogfi Festival - Whiting IN
Pork N Blues Festival
Promenade Bolingbrook IL
Scarecrow Festival
Schererville Fest
Shorewood BBQ, Brews & Blues Festival
St John Festival
Summer Concert Series - Beecher IL
Summer Concert Series - Brookfield IL
Summer Concert Series - Frankfort IL
Summer Concert Series - Hoffman Estates IL
Summer Concert Series - Glen Towne Center IL
Summer Concert Series - Lake Geneva, WI
Summer Concert Series - Munster IN
Summer Concert Series - Olympia Fields IL
Summer Concert Series - Palos Park IL
Summer Concert Series - Roselle IL
Summer Concert Series - Schererville IN
Summer Concert Series - Shorewood IL
Summer Concert Series - Sycamore IL
Summer Concert Series - Zion IL
Summer Sounds on the Green - Hoffman Estates IL
Taste of Joliet
Taste of Orland Park
Taste of Westmont Muddy Waters' Tribute
West Loop Chocolate & Wine Festival
Windy City Blues Society Festival
Notable Venues
Arcada Theater - St Charles, IL
BB's Soup Blues & Jazz - St Louis, MO
Balmoral Racetrack – Crete, IL
Balmoral - UK
Blue Chip Casino – Michigan City, IN
Bladon Park - Belfast, UK
Club Cheri - UK
Drake Hotel - Chicago IL
Enler's Delta Blues Club - UK
Evanston Rocks – Evanston, IL
Fairmont at Millennium Park – Chicago, IL
Gilmore Car Museum - Fair Oaks, MI
Governors State University – Univ. Park, IL
Grand Victoria Casino – Elgin, IL
Hard Rock Cafe - Chicago, IL
Harlem Avenue Lounge - Berwyn, IL
Harrah's Casino – Joliet, IL
Historical Museum - Joliet, IL
House Of Blues - Chicago, IL
Horseshoe Casino - Hammond, IN
Johnny's Blitz - Westmont, IL
John Hancock Tower – Chicago, IL
Kingston Mines – Chicago, IL
Lagrange Country Club - Lagrange, IL
Lansing Library Concerts – Lansing, IL
Legends – Chicago, IL
McManus Bar - Ireland
Majestic Theater – Kankakee, IL
Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals - DesPlaines, IL
Millennium Park – Chicago, IL
Nan Rices - Newry, UK
Navy Pier – Chicago, IL
No. 7 Duke St. - UK
Rosa's Lounge – Chicago, IL
Rt 66 Speedway – Joliet, IL
Rum Boogie - Memphis, TN
Rennaissance Hotel - Chicago IL
Shaw's - Chicago, IL
Smoke Daddy – Chicago, IL
Starved Rock State Park - Utica, IL
Whilstledown Hotel - UK
Ye Old Ship - UK
Wilmot Ski Resort – Wilmot, WI