About
Fleck introduced Meyer to Dobroist Jerry Douglas and violinist Mark O'Connor. After assisting Meyer on his first four albums, all four of them plus mandolinist Sam Bush became the group Strength in Numbers, generally classified as a bluegrass group, but going beyond that sound. That willingness to explore and create new and distinctive styles, as well as his musicianship, is what has always drawn other musicians and audiences to Meyer's music. During the 1980s, artists such as Garth Brooks, Emmylou Harris, the Indigo Girls, the Chieftains, Elton John, and others sought out Meyer for their albums. At the same time, Meyer became recognized among traditional Classical circles as a rare virtuoso of the small and ignored double bass repertoire, and earned an Avery Fisher Career Grant in 1994.