when roadmaster's fourth album (fortress) failed to hit the charts in the early 80's mercury records dropped the band. nine months later myers was recruited by members of john mellencamp's band in bloomington, indiana to play bass for "john cougar," as mellencamp was then known. after only a few weeks of rehearsal with the band, myers' first gig with mellencamp was their appearance on saturday night live (snl) april 10, 1982. in 1983 myers, along with larry crane and mike wanchic on guitars, kenny aronoff on drums and percussion, and john cascella on keyboards recorded mellencamp's 1983 album uh-huh. this was the backing band mellencamp settled on and would retain for the next several albums. in 1988, rolling stone magazine called this version of mellencamp's band "one of the most powerful and versatile live bands ever assembled."