Augie Meyers

Augie Meyers entered the world of keyboards through distinctly odd circumstances. Raised by his grandparents after contracting polio that limited his mobility, he nonetheless roamed freely until they secured a six-foot rope from his leg to a piano, an arrangement that sparked his immediate engagement with the instrument. He later broadened his command to the Vox organ and the piano-key accordion. Beginning in the 1950s he performed with several established San Antonio groups, where he formed a lasting alliance with singer and guitarist Doug Sahm. The pair launched the Sir Douglas Quintet at their producer’s urging to emulate the prevailing British Invasion style, though the band quickly revealed greater depth. Following a string of hit singles they created the Texas Tornados, and both outfits remained regional favorites that continued without interruption until Sahm succumbed to a heart attack in 1999. The event left a deep mark on Meyers, yet he resumed work as a keyboardist alongside John Hammond. He joined Hammond’s touring ensemble and appeared on the album Wicked Grin while also contributing session performances for Bob Dylan and Tom Waits.