louis jay meyers (june 21, 1955 – march 11, 2016) was an american festival organizer and co-founder of south by southwest. he was born in austin, texas. meyers was the event’s primary music booker until he sold his share in the event after the 1994 conference. meyers was also an multi-instrumentalist and producer. from 2005 to 2013, meyers was executive director of folk alliance international.