Randy Merrill, '97
SUNY Fredonia alumnus and Jamestown, NY, native Randy Merrill, ’97, was mastering engineer for three 2026 GRAMMY-nominated entries.
He was nominated as mastering engineer for two entries for Record of the Year – for Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra” and Chappell Roan’s “The Subway.”
In addition, Merrill’s work on “MAYHEM” by Lady Gaga was recognized in a nomination for Album of the Year.
Merrill graduated from Falconer Central High School in 1992, went on to study at Jamestown Community College and graduated from Fredonia's Sound Recording Technology program in 1997. To date, he has 33 GRAMMY nominations (including the 2026 nominations) and 9 wins.
The 68th GRAMMY awards broadcast is slated for Feb. 1, 2026.
There was another great connection to SUNY Fredonia among the winners. Nicole Zuraitis, who was a guest artist for the Fredonia Jazz Festival in October 2023 and performed with the Fredonia Jazz Orchestra in Rosch Recital Hall during her visit, was nominated with a group of artists for GRAMMYs in the category of Best Jazz Performance for “All Stars Lead to You – Live” and with a group of artists in the category of Best Jazz Vocal Album for “Live at Vic’s Las Vegas.”
