During the sixties, Buchanan operated his own record label and recording studio in Toronto. Trend Records was Canada's first independent, fully integrated record company. In 1969 he produced the landmark 'Sussex' by Bent Wind, the most collectable album ever produced in Canada. In the 70s he ran a DJ agency and a record store in Midland, Ontario. By 1983, he was in Edmonton working as Canadian marketing director for Japanese sound equipment manufacturer Toa Electronics. Inspired by MTV and advances in projection technology, he launched a road show featuring a dance host playing music videos and pumping the crowd up on a giant screen. He asked dance music buyers to try it once, instead of a band or disc jockey. 'Videomax' was soon booked solid.
In 1987, a partnership was made with Canada's music television network, MuchMusic. The idea was to promote the new network's image, style and reputation throughout the country by offering Much-branded video dance entertainment to anyone who wanted to hire it. The program was an instant success and in the intervening years, more than 15,000 'Much Video Dances' have been held, entertaining more than five million people.
In 2003, Merv sold Videomax in order to spend more time with his family and other interests. He is currently setting up RSD's new North American sales and marketing office in Peterborough, near Toronto, Ontario.
RSD's North American sales office has been established at 727 Lansdowne West, Peterborough, Ontario.
(Lee Baldock)
