[1]
The 50-year-old started singing at high school but it was not until he joined country music clubs that he discovered his passion.
"Every song has a meaning. It's about someone or something," he said.
With his wife Norma as his manager, Mr Pulham had toured with a range of different artists, including Melissa and Graeme Partridge and the Australian yodelling queen Angela Hayden.
A CD was released last year which had been selling well, Mrs Pulham said.
One of his proudest moments was in 2007 when he added a Gold Guitar for best solo male vocalist to his collection of awards.
As a fabricator-welder by trade, he would love to be able to make a living from his music, but at this stage it was not enough to pay the bills.
However, his talent and contribution to country music will soon be known internationally when his favourite shirt is hung alongside his photo in the Pioneer Music Museum in Anita, Iowa.
"It's a big thing for a guy from Dunedin," he said.
National Traditional Country Music Association president Bog Everhart nominated Mr Pulham for the honour after hearing him sing in Christchurch this year.
The organisation had been inducting groups and individuals since 1976.
Mr Pulham's shirt will join Johnny Cash's harmonicas and June Carter's auto-harp finger-picks. Old-time country music is "nothing plugged in", he said.
It usually involved a singer, acoustic guitar, violin and double bass.
The couple, and their 21-year-old son, will travel to the US on August 23 for the 33rd annual Old-time Country and Bluegrass Festival and contest.
Mr Pulham was invited to perform - an opportunity he could not miss.
After the festival, they will travel through the US, visiting places such as Nashville, Graceland in Memphis, Colorado and Las Vegas.
"For me, it's going to be an absolute buzz," he said.
Links:
[1] http://www.odt.co.nz/files/story/2009/07/dunedin_musician_merv_pulham_is_excited_to_be_indu_346636934a.JPG
[2] mailto:ellie.constantine@odt.co.nz