"I played at Merryland from 1959 until it closed, April 1988.
However, I was off from 1974 to 1975 due to increased responsibilities
at my other (day) job. During that time, Mike Mixon played."
-Gary Tatman

Photo courtesy Marty Dumic.

Photo courtesy Kathy Peterson.

Quote from:
Merryland Magic - A Love Story
"One reason why those Saturday nights were magical was that the organ music was live. Gary Tatman played the organ, and he played those ballads, waltzes, polkas, and tangos brilliantly. The most enchanting part was when Gary announced the last dance of the evening: "Couples." That was when you would hustle to find a girl to ask to skate with you. And then, if successful, you would roll smoothly onto the floor with her on your arm. Gradually, almost subliminally, the lights were lowered and changed to a soft, romantic blue, an almost religious experience. You were immersed in glorious organ music combined with the mesmerism of soft, blue colors."
- R. Harper Hazel
http://rharperhazeltales.blogspot.com/2013/05/merryland-magica-love-story.html