Merlin David

That Guy is Everywhere…….

Merlin is a friend, a dad and a community pillar. He is a hugger and loves his friendly selfies with people. He is President of the PVE Neighborhood Watch and supports city functions, community events and local schools (wrote the Lunada Bay school song). He and his family serenade locals with holiday songs he has written.

Whether he’s taking a selfie with Herbie Hancock, Emmylou Harris, Beatles’ engineer Geoff Emerick, his neighborhood morning walking partners or someone at the local Trader Joe’s, you are going to get the same person. He has an uncanny ability to seem to be everywhere, all the time.

From Shy Teen to Trail-Blazing Success

In 10th grade typing class, Merlin’s art was seen and heard. He wrote songs, began to sing and created visual examples of artistic expression through music and a typewriter.

Merlin formed a band on the East Coast where he was singer, songwriter and booking agent. He moved to Riverside, CA in 1988 and worked with a risk management company. He soon got back to his creative roots in the music industry. Moving, marriage, and family happened after 1993.

With life in full swing and Katie at his side, Merlin was hired by a music publication to take it to new levels. He shattered expectations, making it a nationally-recognized magazine.

In 2009, he was fully prepared to do something even bigger with the loving support and faith from his family. With all his experience, knowledge, resources, friends he pulled off the ultimate artist’s trick—he launched his own magazine.

As fierce as Merlin’s professional drive is, it takes a back seat to being friend, dad and community pillar. Whatever he does, he puts his heart and soul into it. He loves his town, to help people in need and loves his kids to a point where they sigh and say, “Daaaaaaaad.….c’mon!” He smiles and laughs.

Merlin David has become a cherished member of the community, school district, neighborhood and the music industry. His kindness is always on display and his involvement with community programs is substantial.

That is why Palos Verdes Magazine proudly celebrates Merlin David. -Erik Jay

Life Before PV
Merlin was born in Pune (formerly, Poona) India, a small town 120 miles south of Mumbai (Bombay). His family moved just before he was a teen to Takoma Park, Maryland—where he went to high school and lived until his late 20’s when he moved to California to create his own path. He was a shy teen, keeping to himself and his small group of friends. With an interest in tennis, running and biking (he’s biked most of the United States), he chose a quiet approach to social life. His natural artistic strengths took hold, ranging from photography to music.