When my friend Marvin Maxwell almost died in a wreck decades ago, the musicians in this town bound together to help him and his family in a time of crisis. That is the founding core principle for MERF. After my arthritis forced me into a double knee replacement, my community came through and saved me. I have performed many times for MERF over the years and MERF has been there for me ever since. I owe so much to this group of local musicians that have been there for me.