Merritt, though not as well known for its cowboy heritage as towns such as Calgary, Alberta, has its own history of cowboys and really big cattle ranches. Plus, Merritt is pretty far west - between it and the Pacific Ocean one will not find many more ranches, just mountains. As part of their country music heritage, Merritt has hosted an annual
Country Music Fest for many years, with a short hiatus from 2012 to 2014. The 2015 music fest takes place from July 30 to August 2, 2015. Through the year the city hosts many more country and country music related events and activities. Whether it's official or unofficial, Merritt is known as the
Country Music Capital of Canada.
The Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame is right in downtown Merritt, on Quilchena Avenue, surrounded by a "Walk of Stars" of the country music industry, a display of bronzed handprints of past Music Fest artists placed around the community, accompanied by many murals of country artists and country themes.
As of 2015 there have been a total of 93
inductees to the Hall of Fame, 53 Artists, 28 Builders and 12 Broadcasters. Wilf Carter (Montana Slim to those south of the 49th), one of the best known western crooners of the '30s and '40s and the “Father of Canadian Country”, was the initial inductee to the Hall of Fame, in 1984.
The Merritt location was created in 2012 as an arm of the Canadian Country Music Heritage Society in order to create a venue to display artefacts related to the inductees of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame and of the country music industry in general.
The Hall of Fame
Exhibits
At the Hall of Fame, the best of Canadian country music is celebrated! Learn who the inductees are, their contributions to the genre, and how the roots of country music continue to influence musical styles and move our souls. Canada's rich fabric of country music songwriters and performers have influence far beyond our national borders. While music is a universal language, Canadian country music in particular is a story worth telling and hearing... join us in the discovery!
Celebrities
Hundred's of International Country Music Artists have performed at the annual Merritt Mountain Music Festival over the last 12 years. Those stars have left their mark permanently by placing handprints (or, in one case, footprints) and signatures in concrete stars. In 2003, those stars became the basis for the Merritt Walk of Stars. By 2005 more than 100 bronzed stars, created from the concrete impressions, will be displayed throughout the community.
Walk of Stars
Hundred's of International Country Music Artists have performed at the annual Merritt Mountain Music Festival over the last 12 years. Those stars have left their mark permanently by placing handprints (or, in one case, footprints) and signatures in concrete stars. In 2003, those stars became the basis for the Merritt Walk of Stars. Today, more than 100 bronzed stars are proudly displayed throughout the community.
From the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame