I'm not Anson Funderburgh, just a Fan who want's to pay tribute to one of my Hereo's!!! this is a page for the Fan's!!!! In recent years, Dallas-based guitarist Anson Funderburgh has taken his band the Rockets out of the clubs and onto the festival stages with his critically acclaimed recordings for the BlackTop label out of New Orleans. With Jackson, MS-native Sam Myers delivering the vocals and harmonica treatments, this band mixes up a powerful gumbo of Texas jump blues and Delta blues that can't be found anywhere else. Funderburgh and his Rockets are a particularly hard working band, performing across the U.S. and Europe nearly 300 nights a year.
Funderburgh was born November 15, 1954, and got hooked on the blues when he got his first guitar at age seven or eight. His first musical experiences happened in the clubs in Dallas. He developed his team approach to blues music while learning from the likes of Freddie King, Jimmy Reed and Albert Collins when these great bluesmen were passing through Dallas-area clubs, but Funderburgh had already taught himself guitar mostly from listening to classic blues records. He never had the chance to see Muddy Waters, but he did get to play with Lightnin' Hopkins in the late '70s. Funderburgh formed the Rockets in 1978, but didn't meet Sam Myers until 1982.
Funderburgh recorded with the Fabulous Thunderbirds on their Butt Rockin' album, and went solo in 1981, when the New Orleans-based BlackTop label released Talk to You by Hand, the label's first release. Funderburgh added Myers on harmonica and lead vocals in 1986. Myers had traveled for years on the chitlin circuit, where he had the chance to accompany people like Elmore James and Robert Junior Lockwood. Funderburgh admits that adding Myers on vocals and harmonica was a turning point for the Rockets, partly because of the image they project from the stage, a big towering Black man and three White guys backing him up. Funderburgh continued his association in the 90's with Black Top releasing Tell Me What I Want to Hear (91), Live at Grand Emporium (95), and That's What They Want (97). After releasing 9 albums on Black Top, in 1999 Funderburgh changed record labels with the release of Change in my Pocket for Bullseye Blues. At the beginning of the new millennium, Funderburgh is just coming into his prime by way of his songwriting talents, so his career deserves close watching in the coming years. The best is yet to come from this guitarist and bandleader. ~ Richard Skelly & Al Campbell, All Music Guide
Hey, thanks for the add. A really fine tribute to a great blues musician. Wish we could see him more up in the N.E. Here's a pic of the back of my main Strat that Anson signed for me at Sam's benefit show in Dallas a few years back. Best, Lil' Stevie
Hi, I thought I'd drop you a line to thank you for counting us among your MySpace friends. Have a great day and keep in touch! All the best to you and yours. /Black Coffee
This Saturday, January 24, 9:30pm, MILTON HOPKINS (9 yrs. with BB King's band and one of the last of the school of "real deal" legends of Texas Rhythm & Blues guitar) & "TEXAS JOHNNY BOY (vocals, harmonica, flute, tenor & alto saxophone) will be in downtown Dallas at a fine club called "PEARL" at 2038 Commerce St, 75201, ph# 214-655-8824. WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU AND YER FRIENDS AT THE PARTY!!
Clifford Antone change the World because of his thirst for the Blues, CJ was such a Straight up cat and not a bad Bass Player. JaBeaux will interview some Special Artists on Tuesday Night when he does the Blues Session which goes off at 9pm MST on KAFM Solar Powered Community Radio in Grand Junction, Colorado...kafmradio. org Duane Yates of the Fabulous Boogie Kings, Paula Nelson, Angela Strehli and Clifford's Sister Susan will be on the hook during the 10pm to 11pm MST segment. And ya' just never know who else will call in and share their stories of CJ...A Visionary who gave Austin and the World a Groove you just can't wipe off...When you get the Blues...It's in your Soul! Today is CJ's Birthday and JaBeaux has some Fireworks in store for all who Tune In and Turn It Up on Tuesday Night at 9pm MST!! The Boogie is On Buckaroos!! Clifford Antone was a Jewel to everyone he met and all of us miss this Crown Prince of the Blues World...His Mojo is still with us and JaBeaux will unleash the Boogie Woogie on Tuesday Night at 9pm MST on kafmradio. org
Hey Anson... metcha awhile ago in Charlottetown @ The Double Door... I used to play a funky white fiddle before a stroke ruined my bowstroke... ain't that a kick in the head? Well, I'm back poundin' the piano, tellin' stories & singin' the blues... peace to ya.... Dave Foraker