Joshua "Josh" Merritt (1987-2010) - A young and newer member of the Back Porch Pickers has come to the Smyth County Jam recently. Joshua (Josh) Merritt comes over from Thompson Valley in Tazewell County, VA. He has been playing banjo about four and half years, In addition to this he also plays guitar, bass and some mandolin. The first instrument Josh picked up was a banjo and he is coming along well with it. When asked what he liked to do when he was not playing music; he said ,"more music!" Apparently a dedicated young man!! Josh says his dad plays bass. Some of the musicians Josh admires are Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, Don Reno and Bela Fleck. Josh is employed by Quik-Crete in Tazewell,VA
In Memoriam
Joshua Daniel Merritt Joshua Daniel Merritt, age 23 of Boones Mill, VA, formerly of Tazewell, VA, passed away, Sat., March 20, 2010. He was born in Richlands, VA, and was the son of John Lee and Mary Sawyers Merritt, of Tazewell, VA.
He was of the Christian faith and a Bible scholar. He had attended Tazewell High School and was a former band member of the Back Porch Pickers. Joshua was a self taught musician, he sang and played the guitar and the base, but his true love was the banjo. His role models were Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, he wanted to play music in the same style. Joshua toured for a while, participating in many concerts, people were mesmerized by his talent, he played with his heart and soul and you could feel the love flow into his music. He later moved to Boones Mill and worked in the distribution center for Advance Auto at Warehouse #11. Those who remain to carry on his spirit in addition to his parents are: his son, Joshua Daniel Merrit, Jr. of Boones Mill, VA; his sister, Jonie Leigh Sutherland and husband, Jamie Carl, of Denton, NC; his brother, Larry Brian Sutherland and wife, Tina Marie, of North Tazewell, VA; paternal grandfather, John Joe Merritt of Tazewell, VA; several nieces, nephews, family and a host of friends also survive him.
Funeral services for Joshua Merritt were conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Thurs., March 25, 2010 at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell, VA, with the Rev. David Burgess officiating. Interment followed at the Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA. Pallbearers were: Jamie Sutherland, Larry B. Sutherland, Jonathan Sutherland, Isaac Sutherland, Shannon Rose, Jeremy Dripps, Jessie Akers and Ryan Puckett. Honorary pallbearer was John Miller. Friends called Wed. evening from 6-9 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Tazewell, VA, served the family of Mr. Merritt and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at http://www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com.
