Michael Merriman is a veteran producer/director with extensive commercial, documentary and music video experience.  Merriman has directed over 200 music videos for such artists as Brooks & Dunn, Sheryl Crow, Travis Tritt, Trace Adkins, Toby Keith, and Tim McGraw, to name a few.  Merriman’s music videos have received numerous “video of the year” nominations from the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.  In 2002 the Academy of Country Music awarded Merriman music video of the year for Brooks & Dunn's “Only In America”. In the Fall of ’02 he was a finalist for the Country Music Association’s Music Video of the Year for Travis Tritt’s “Modern Day Bonnie & Clyde”, starring Billy Bob Thornton.

 

In 2002, Merriman was also nominated in six categories for Country Music Television’s video awards show, including video of the year and director of the year, (which he was awarded in 1995).

 

In 2003, he turned his focus to the commercial world.  Merriman’s most recent commercial credits include national/regional campaigns for Toyota, Proctor and Gamble, CMT network, ASCO and The Tennessee Lottery.

 

In addition to his work in commercials and the field of music, he has completed multiple television documentary projects for PBS, including “The Art of the Tretyakov from Moscow", “The Circuit Rider”, multiple documentaries on Elvis Presley and most recently a musical event for PBS honoring Johnny Cash.  For CMT, he directed “Kindred Spirits”, a one hour television special honoring the songs of Johnny Cash, featuring artists such as Keb Mo, Rosanne Cash and Bruce Springsteen.  He has directed and collaborated with Academy Award winning actor Billy Bob Thornton as well as celebrated talents such as Ashley Judd, Dan Rather and Sir David Frost.

 

Born in Cocoa Beach, Florida, Michael was raised in Texas.  He began his career as an art director after receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts from WTAMU.  After 12 years as a creative director in various advertising agencies he made the leap into directing in 1988.