Merl Lindsay
Merl Lindsay, born Merle Lindsay Salathiel in 1916 in Oklahoma City, was a leading American Western swing musician, songwriter, and bandleader. He began his music career in 1936 as a fiddle player in his father’s ballroom, Salathiel’s Barn, and formed the Barnyard Boys in 1937. In 1947 he expanded to Merl Lindsay and His Oklahoma Night Riders, adding a female singer.
In the 1940s he owned a ballroom in Compton, California, and broadcast on a four-station radio network in Hollywood and Long Beach. He also appeared in Western B-movies with Jimmy Wakely. In 1957 he joined ABC-TV’s Ozark Jubilee as the leader of the ten-piece Ozark Jubilee Band; when the show’s title changed, his group became the Country Music Jubilee.
Later he toured the United States and performed at Lindsayland, his ballroom in Oklahoma City. He worked with many famous Western swing musicians, including singers Wanda Jackson and Norma Jean. His brother Doyle Salathiel played with his bands and wrote the words to the signature song “Water Baby Blues.” His nephew Max Salathiel and sister Alojah were also involved in music.
Merl Lindsay was married to Doris Salathiel and had three children: Merlynn, Denzel (1952–2016), and Jackie Merle Phillips (1934–2000). He died of cancer on October 12, 1965, in Oklahoma City and is buried in Sunnylane Cemetery in Del City, Oklahoma. He wrote many songs that became hits for himself and other Western swing artists.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 06:32 (CET).