Performer and Teacher Merri McKee’s Journey Through Life and Song has Touched Countless Lives
By Heather DeSousa
Prescott has long been a magnet for musicians, artists and creative souls, drawing in talent from across the country with its vibrant arts scene and supportive community. Among its many musical treasures is Merri McKee, a seasoned performer, dedicated teacher, and passionate advocate for women in music. Her journey through life and song has touched countless lives, both on stage and in the classroom.
Merri’s love affair with music began early. Her childhood was steeped in the sounds of opera, symphony and ballet. “Money was spent on culture, not toys,” she laughed, remembering piano lessons as a young child and guitar soon after. Choir became a regular part of her life from middle school on. Influenced by powerful voices like Ella Fitzgerald, courtesy of her mother, and folk icons like Joan Baez, Judy Collins, and Joni Mitchell, Merri’s musical roots are deep, eclectic, and enduring.
Her path as a professional musician has taken her far from her early days on the piano bench. From college years spent in Sacramento and San Francisco, where she recorded jingles and sang backup vocals, to a country band tour that swept her across the U.S. and Canada, Merri’s experiences are as varied as the genres she’s explored.
After college, she made her home in Tahoe for two decades. There she immersed herself in music, teaching choral music, art, and theater. Later, her travels took her across the country until she found her way to Prescott, a place that would become both home and a creative haven.
“When I first moved here, I didn’t realize how vibrant the music scene was,” Merri said. “I was overjoyed. I started playing Celtic music and even formed a Celtic band.” What makes Prescott special, she explained, is how condensed and connected the scene is. “Being a smaller city means you can hear all kinds of music in one place. It’s incredibly rich.”
There’s a moment Merri returns to often, like an old song you hear on the radio that comes in loud and clear. Sitting on the edge of her bed, sunlight streaming in, she remembers getting a call from the well-known band Cold Blood, asking her to fill in as their lead singer for a European tour.
“But I had a six-year-old at the time,” she said. “I couldn’t leave him for three months.” The choice was bittersweet. “I realized my name had spread far beyond local circles. That kind of recognition told me I was on the right path.”
Whenever she questioned her musical direction, something always seemed to pull her back. “Music would just swoop in and remind me, this is what I’m supposed to be doing.”
In a town where the ratio of male to female musicians is roughly 25 to one, Merri has found both challenge and purpose. “There’s a fine line between being in charge and being labeled as difficult,” she noted. “Especially when you’re leading a band in a male-dominated industry.” Still, she’s carved out space for herself and for others.
Petite in stature but powerful in voice, Merri’s vocals command attention. “I’ve studied voice for decades. Singing has always come naturally, but the study – that’s what makes the difference.”
Recognizing the need for more female representation in the local scene, Merri launched the Women in Music event at the historic Elks Theater in February 2024. “There are more women fronting bands here in Prescott than anywhere else I’ve lived,” she shared with pride.
The event was an instant success, selling out and requiring extra seating. More importantly, it sparked new collaborations among women who hadn’t known each other before. Bands were born and friendships were forged. “I wanted each performer to show up as her – not just the way audiences knew her from a band. The community rallied behind it.”
Merri hopes to bring Women in Music back to the stage soon. “Stay tuned,” she said with a twinkle. “There’s more to come.”
Merri’s impact extends far beyond the spotlight. At Grey Dog Music in Prescott, she teaches piano, guitar, and voice, instilling both technique and confidence in her students.
“Teaching keeps me reading music. Keeps me sharp,” she said. And her students? Many have gone on to become concert pianists, rock musicians, and composers. Her son, a professional composer, has toured Japan, Europe, and New York. “They stay in touch, and that’s so meaningful,” she said. “Teaching will be there long after I’m gone.”
Prescott’s music scene continues to evolve with more venues and opportunities opening up for solo artists, duos, and full bands. Merri marvels at how music transcends boundaries in this town. “It crosses politics, age, financial standing. Here, we look at each other as musicians and that’s it. That’s the beauty of it.”
Her advice to young female musicians: “Study. Even if you have a natural voice, study. Know your craft. It earns respect.”
Asked who she’d love to collaborate with, past or present, Merri doesn’t hesitate: Bonnie Raitt. “She’s educated, knows how to protect her voice and carved a niche that’s all her own. She’s the whole package.”
As Merri continues to perform, teach and mentor, she remains a cornerstone of Prescott’s music community, a woman whose life is defined by harmony, heart, and an unshakable dedication to her art.