Biography

Trey Merrill got his start in the entertainment world by working for "No Cover (Gulf Coast Music Magazine)" starting as a reporter and photographer and working his way up to Associate Editor. Shortly after this stint, he started touring with the gauntlet of Louisiana musical acts.

After studying both Drama and Communications at both LSU and UNO, he earned a Degree in Music Business & Video Production from the Art Institute of Seattle in 1993.

Upon graduation from the Art Institute, Merrill held stage manager and special forces positions for numerous music festivals including Seattle's Bumbershoot Music Festival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

While working for The Firehouse & Direct Box Rehearsal Hall (New Orleans soundstage owned by producer Kent Birkle and Harold Brown of 'WAR'), Merrill engineered such acts as Jimmy Buffett, The Goo Goo Dolls, The Meters, Harry Connick Jr, Cindy Lauper, etc.

A panelist for a number of music business conferences, He spoke on "Getting The Attention Of The Music Media" and was a Stage Manager of "Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville" during the Cutting Edge Music Business Conference (New Orleans 1994-95).

Merrill was voted into IATSE Local 39 (Stagehands) in January 1995 and became a member of IATSE Local 478 (Movie Mechanics) in the winter of 2005. He has held such diverse production positions including production & stage management, high steel rigger, guitar & drum tech, set carpenter and stagehand for such notable artists as The Rolling Stones, The Eagles, Pink Floyd, Lollapalooza, Ricky Martin and others.

in 2001, he produced the debut CD for the "Benjy Davis Project" and managed them for the next 4 years and through 3 more CDs. He was hired by Producer Greg Ladanyi to work with "The Terms".

His video production work for The Tricou House (711 Bourbon Street) is what eventually led to the establishment of his own production company, Gator Bait Productions and the interest of pursuing the film side of the business. Their "Girls of Mardi Gras" was the prototype for the Girls Gone Wild' series.

"Trey Merrill Presents" has promoted and produced a number of concerts throughout Louisiana. When not producing events, he works in the Art Department on feature films as well as in Music Supervision. He is the father of 3 grown daughters and collects rock and roll memorabilia.
- IMDb mini biography by: Milena Rimassa-Merrill