Roy D. Mercer is a fictional character created by American disc jockeys Brent Douglas and Phil Stone on Tulsa, Oklahoma’s KMOD-FM radio station in 1993. Douglas, who voiced Mercer, used the character for comedic sketches involving prank calls. In these calls, Mercer would confront individuals or businesses with fabricated grievances, often demanding compensation and threatening an “ass-whuppin'” if his demands were not met. The character’s humor stemmed from his exaggerated Southern drawl and confrontational style, which resonated with many listeners.
The success of these prank calls led to the release of twelve albums under the Roy D. Mercer name through Virgin Records and Capitol Records. Titles like “How Big ‘a Boy Are Ya?” became popular, and the albums sold hundreds of thousands of copies, primarily through word of mouth.
Mercer’s catchphrases and humorous threats became a staple of the Phil and Brent morning show, contributing significantly to its 27-year run on KMOD-FM. The Roy D. Mercer character drew inspiration from an earlier persona named “Leroy Mercer,” created by John R. Bean in Tennessee during the early 1980s.
Many of the recipients of the calls are suggested by their friends who supply Mercer with information about the potential recipients. Three notable people that Douglas and Stone had called were Bill Goldberg (”Roy Vs. Goldberg”), cinematographer Barry Markowitz, as suggested by Billy Bob Thornton (“Yankee in a Strange Land”), and Chris Bray, production manager for Steppenwolf (“Tragic Carpet Ride”).
Bean’s character also made prank calls, threatening an “ass-whoopin'” in a similar Southern accent. These recordings were circulated on tapes and gained a cult following. Bean passed away in 1984, but his work laid the groundwork for future prank call comedians.
Albums
- 1996 How Big ‘a Boy Are Ya? Vol. 1
- 1996 How Big ‘a Boy Are Ya? Vol. 2
- 1997 How Big ‘a Boy Are Ya? Vol. 3
- 1998 How Big ‘a Boy Are Ya? Vol. 4 (Billboard Country # 19)
- 1998 How Big ‘a Boy Are Ya? Vol. 5 (Billboard Country # 13)
- 1999 How Big ‘a Boy Are Ya? Vol. 6 (Billboard Country # 16)
- 2000 How Big ‘a Boy Are Ya? Vol. 7: Hangin’ It Up?
- 2001 Roy D. Mercer vs. Yankees
- 2003 Roy D. Mercer Hits the Road
- 2004 Get Well Soon (Billboard Comedy # 7)
- 2006 Black & Blue (Billboard Comedy # 3)
- 2013 Red, White & Bruised (Billboard Comedy # 7)
In October 2012, the Phil and Brent Show concluded its long-standing tenure on KMOD-FM. Shortly thereafter, Phil Stone died from heart disease on November 21, 2012, at the age of 57. Following Stone’s death, the Roy D. Mercer character was largely retired. Brent Douglas continued to be remembered for his contributions to radio comedy until his passing on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 69.
The legacy of Roy D. Mercer endures as a testament to the impact of radio prank call humor. The character’s blend of Southern charm and confrontational antics left a lasting impression on listeners and influenced subsequent generations of comedians.
Further Reading
Sources
- Wikipedia “Roy D. Mercer” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_D._Mercer
- KOSU “Brent Douglas, voice of prank caller Roy D. Mercer, dies at 69” https://www.kosu.org/local-news/2025-02-11/brent-douglas-voice-of-prank-caller-roy-d-mercer-dies-at-69
- Fox 23 News “Radio legend Brent Douglas has passed away” https://www.fox23.com/news/radio-legend-brent-douglas-has-passed-away/article_45748a22-e680-11ef-9706-0753db34486c.html
- Oklahoma Magazine “Another Hilarious Chapter” https://okmag.com/blog/another-hilarious-chapter/
- KRMG “Brent Douglas of ‘Phil & Brent’ radio show passes away” https://www.krmg.com/news/local/brent-douglas-phil-brent-radio-show-passes-away/UHB6LJIK4VG5FLDDBVLSWR4QQY/
