ABIGAIL JACOBSON
Asst. News Editor
Merrill graduated from Fredonia with a bachelor’s degree in sound recording technology in 1997.
Since his graduation, Merrill has worked many different jobs over the years. He found his passion for mastering in his early 30’s and he’s done it ever since.
“I…discovered that I wanted to pursue mastering and [sound recording technology],” said Merrill.
Merrill has been working at Sterling Sound in Edgewater, N.J. since 2013. In 2017, he began working as a senior mastering engineer.
While working at Sterling Sound, he’s been able to collaborate with many different artists. These artists include Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Lady Gaga and many more.
His favorite artists he’s worked with have been Taylor Swift, Paul McCartney and John Mayer.
Merrill won two Grammys at last year’s 2023 Grammy Awards. Both of these awards were for “Harry’s House,” an album by Harry Styles. They were in two separate categories: Album of The Year and Best Engineer Nonclassical.
As of the 2024 Grammy Awards, Merrill was nominated five times in two separate categories.
In the category Album of The Year, Taylor Swift’s album “Midnights” and Olivia Rodrigo’s album “GUTS” were both nominated.
In the category Record of The Year, Taylor Swift’s song “Anti-Hero,” Olivia Rodrigo’s song “Vampire” and Billie Eilish’s song “What Was I Made For?” were each nominated.
When Merrill found out that he was nominated, he was incredibly thankful. “It’s always a blessing to be nominated,” he said.
Merrill was able to attend this year’s Grammy Awards, taking home a Grammy award for Album of The Year for Taylor Swift’s “Midnights.”
“My jaw literally dropped. … I couldn’t believe it,” said Merrill after finding out he had won. “[I’m] so thankful [and] so grateful to all the artists that have trusted me with their music. … [and] everyone [who] has trusted me over the years to work on their art.”
Merrill mentioned his time at Fredonia and how it helped him work hard, attain basic life skills and learn to be diligent.
The faculty also helped Merrill during his time here.
He especially acknowledged his professors David Kerzner, who was the head of the sound recording technology program, and Dr. Kay Stonefelt, who was and still is head of the percussion area.
In addition to the faculty, the recording studios on campus also provided Merrill with an exciting environment that let him be creative.
Merrill gave advice to Fredonia students who are pursuing the same major or want to go down the same career path as him: “Make it a discipline to listen to music every day. Listen to different genres, even genres you don’t [particularly] gravitate towards and just make that a discipline.”
Not only should you listen to music every day, but according to Merrill, you should also listen to the music on different systems, such as headphones, stereo systems, in the car and other areas as well. By doing this, you can ensure the song sounds good on any type of speaker.
For Fredonia students as a whole, Merrill gave one piece of advice: “Don’t be afraid to try everything. When you’re young, just try different things and don’t be afraid of trying different opportunities.”
Merrill had worked many different jobs before becoming a senior mastering engineer, including being a recording engineer for different studios.
After that, he did more technical work and then he discovered a love for mastering, and that’s how he ended up where he is today.