Big Dog Mercer, fronted by Joliet resident Marty Mercer, competes in round one of the Chicago Blues Challenge at the Chicago Blues Festival June 9.
Marty Mercer is a musician. It is his business.
The Joliet resident was a machinist by trade, but like many, lost his job when the economy went downhill.
"Back in 2009 when the economy tanked, I fell back on music and I have been doing music ever since," he said.
He fronts the band Big Dog Mercer, which has been in existence for 10 years. The current members, Marty Mercer on guitar and vocals, Mike Boyle on bass and Dan Wile on drums, have been together for two years.
Last year, they competed in the Chicago Blues Challenge and made it to the final round. They lost out in going to Memphis to represent Chicago in the International Blues Challenge by only three points.Big Dog Mercer plays what Mercer describes as high energy blues rock.
"My drummer calls it a blues band with big teeth," Mercer said.
Mercer is a guitarist and songwriter.
"I love blues; all of our music is definitely blues based," Mercer said. "I wrote all of the songs that are in the band.
"I can't control what I write it just comes out.
Locally, Big Dog Mercer played as part of the Joliet Area Historical Museum's Rooftop Music Series on June 6 this year. They also plan weekly at the Cantigny VFW in Joliet as part of the Best of the Burbs jam session.
Each week, Mercer hires a different musician to feature at the session.
"My band backs up all the different guests artists that I hire," Mercer said.
The band will also be playing from 9 p.m. to midnight June 15 at Heroes West, 1530 Commerce Drive in Joliet. They will be playing at 6 p.m., June 27 in Shorewood.
The next round of the Chicago Blues Challenge will take place at Buddy Guy's Legends on Nov. 11. Although the competition is judged by officials, Mercer encourages his fans to come out.
"They can show up and they can cheer us on," he said. "If the crowd goes nuts for us, they can certainly help us out."
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