‘Peter Cottontail’ Singer, Merv Shiner, Dies At Age 102

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Merv Shiner

Country singer Merv Shiner, who originated the children’s Easter favorite “Here Comes Peter Cottontail,” died last week in Florida at age 102.

His memorial service will take place Saturday (Nov. 4) in Tampa.

Shiner was a cast member of the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree. He also appeared on the Grand Ole Opry and starred on several early country television shows. He recorded for Decca, RCA and MGM, among other labels. Between 1949 and 1969, he placed four singles on the country popularity charts.

Mervin J. Shiner was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in 1921 and made his professional singing debut on local radio stations. His mother, Jennie Newton Shiner (1887-1953), was an accomplished singer, and she urged him to pursue a show-business career. She also performed with him. Billed as “Mervin Shiner and His Mother,” the duo began broadcasting in Pennsylvania in 1936.

He worked in a Los Angeles defense plant during World War II, then reunited with his mother and landed a spot on Dave Miller’s country TV show in Newark, New Jersey in 1948. He also guested on several early country television programs in New York City. These appearances brought him to the attention of future Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Vaughn Horton (1911-1988), who arranged a recording contract with Decca Records.

Shiner debuted on the country charts in 1949 with “Why Don’t You Haul Off and Love Me,” which became a top 10 hit. The song was also successful for Bob Atcher and for Wayne Raney, who co-wrote it.

Later in 1949, Decca producer Paul Cohen brought Shiner a new song and asked him to learn it. Shiner was reluctant, since he considered himself to be a country singer, not a kiddie music maker. But Cohen was certain that “Peter Cottontail” was a hit.

Shiner’s version of the song debuted on the country hit parade in early 1950 and eventually sold a million. “Peter Cottontail” was also popularized by Gene Autry, Jimmy Wakely, Johnnie Lee Wills, Fran Allison, Rosemary Clooney, Roy Rogers, Hank Snow, Frank Luther and Guy Lombardo. As a result of the hit, Shiner was invited to appear on the Opry, where he was introduced by Hank Williams. By 1953, he was a regular on the World’s Original Jamboree in West Virginia.

He signed with RCA Victor Records. The label issued “Mr. Sandman,” “You’re Free to Go” and several other singles, but none charted.

In 1954, he appeared on Pee Wee King’s television show in Cleveland, Ohio. Shiner was also a guest on Jubilee U.S.A., the landmark network country TV show from Springfield, Missouri hosted by Red Foley.

In 1965, Merv Shiner was featured in the movie Second Fiddle to a Steel Guitar alongside Merle Kilgore, Dottie West, Jimmy Dickens, Minnie Pearl, Lefty Frizzell, Kitty Wells, Faron Young, Webb Pierce, Connie Smith and a bevy of other country headliners. Shiner reemerged on the country charts as an MGM artist in the late 1960s. Both “Big Brother” (1967) and “Too Hard to Say I’m Sorry” (1969) were co-written and produced by Jack Clement.

Shiner ran his own song firm in Music City, Ly-Rann Publishing. He co-wrote Jan Howard’s 1969 hit “We Had All the Good Things Going” and his songs were also recorded by Billie Jo Spears, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride and others.

In 1970-71, Merv Shiner was the A&R director at the Nashville office of Certron Records. The label released his version of the Crosby, Stills & Nash pop hit “Teach Your Children,” as well as his albums Life Is Lovin’ What You’re Made For (1970) and Greatest Christmas Kiddie Hits (1970). Certron also marketed the music of Johnny Paycheck, Elton Britt, Bobby Helms and Pozo Seco (featuring future solo star Don Williams).

Shiner recorded for a number of independent labels in the 1970s and 1980s. He retired in 2004. In later years, he sang with his wife Marilyn and played the Martin Guitar he’d had since 1937. In 2021, the Nashville local of the Musicians Union recognized him with a proclamation on his 100th birthday. He was the local’s oldest member, according to Local 257 president Dave Pomeroy.

Mervin Shiner died on Oct. 23. He is survived by his wife Marilyn, by son Michael and by three granddaughters.

Saturday’s memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. at the First Reformed Church of Tampa (8283 W. Hillsborough Ave.). Burial will be in the family plot in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Robert K Oermann
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