Louis Seborn "Bud" Merritt

I have wonderful memories of Louis. He was always so nice and helpful to me during the years that I worked for Calvin Gilmore Productions. He and Ann always had a kind word (or she made a delicious cake for us to enjoy backstage)and he loved the Opry. I know the cast will miss him and though I haven't been back to Myrtle Beach for some time, I have such wonderful memories of those days and the enthusiasm that Mr. "Hey-Hey" brought to every production. My love and sympathy goes to Ann and the...

I'm not sure what the Carolina Opry will be without Mr. Hey Hey on the front row. He certainly loved the show and the performers and was a true character in every sense of the word. It was, and is, his caliber of "fan" that makes The Carolina Opry what it is today. Our prayers are with Ann and the whole Merritt family.

Kim and Jimmy Williams

When we "the Carolina Opry" opened. Louis and Ann merritt were there every night( as paying customers)Not long after, they were givin a lifetime free pass whenever they wanted to come. Bud made each and everyone of us feel special. He would grasp your hand with both of his and tell you how much you meant to them and how much he loved you. And this is the way he was throughout the 20 years I have known him. I consider him and always will as Bud Merritt, The Carolina Oprys oldest living cast...

Louis and Ann Merritt will always be remembered by us as two of the most generous people we have met.
Everyone they met became a friend, and the Merritts lavished kindness, genuine concern, and some of the best home cooking you could ever find! We will miss Louis's enthusiam and energy. He made our world a better place. Ann, we share your loss and pray that you will find comfort from the Lord and the many many folks you have blessed.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the whole family. We will sure miss Mr. "Hey Hey"

Mike and Rachel Rogers

Louis Merritt was not only a huge supporter of the Carolina Opry, he was also a special friend. From the very beginning, he and Anne were a second family to me. They always made sure that I never needed for anything when I first moved to Myrtle Beach in 1986. They took me under thier wing as one of their own.
The front row of the Carolina Opry will never be the same without the sound of that familiar shout of "HEY HEY".
Louis, we will miss you more than ever. Your gentle...

Louis was the best. I have been with the Carolina Opry many years and we loved after each song hearing Louis yell out "Hey Hey". We will miss him dearly. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ann and the family. There'll never be another Mr. Hey Hey. My wife Rita said in the early days when Louis was parking cars at the theatre in Surfside he would stop cars on hwy 17 so that she and other performers could turn into the parking lot. He was just the best, one of the good guys. We'll never forget...

I first met Louis in the spring of 1987 at The Carolina Opry. He was affectionatly known as "Mr. Hay Hay" due to his enthuastic cheer after songs he enjoyed in the show.

It was not long before Louis was helping park cars as guests arrived for the show. In those days there was just a gravel parking lot and not enough spaces for all of the attending guests.

In the early 90's he became part of a comedy skit entering as a "Barney Fife" type character. More recently...