Merl Lindsay

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Merl Lindsay (1916-1965) was one of the premier Western Swing muscians from the 1930s to the mid 1960s. Lindsay was born Merle Lindsay Salathiel in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and died there October 12, 1965.

Lindsay began his music career in 1936 playing fiddle in his father's (C.D. Salathiel) ballroom—Salathiel's Barn. In 1937 he formed his first band, the Barnyard Boys. In 1947 he created a larger band and added a female singer. The new band he called Merl Lindsay & The Oklahoma Night Riders. During the 1940s, Lindsay owned a ballroom in Compton, California, and broadcast over a four station radio hookup in Hollywood and Long Beach.

In 1957 he joined Red Foley's television show, Ozark Jubilee, for a few months taking over the house band—the Ozark Jubilee Band.

During the later years he toured the US and performed at his ballroom, Lindsayland, in Oklahoma City.

Many famous Western Swing muscians performed with Lindsay's bands over the years. One of his female singers was Wanda Jackson. Doyle Salathiel, his brother, played with Lindsay's bands as well as others and was himself a composer. Doyle wrote the words for the band's signature song, Water Baby Blues. His nephew, Max Salathiel, an accomplished Oklahoma City guitar player, also worked with his band in the 1950s.

Lindsay wrote many songs that became hits both for himself and other Western Swing artists. Among them: