| Anson Funderburgh | |
|---|---|
Anson Funderburgh performing in 1976 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | James Anson Funderburgh |
| Born | November 14, 1954 Plano, Texas, United States |
| Genres | Blues |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Labels | Black Top Records Bullseye Blues Records |
| Associated acts | The Rockets Sam Myers The Fabulous Thunderbirds |
| Website | Ansonandtherockets.com |
Anson Funderburgh (born James Anson Funderburgh, November 14, 1954,[1][2] Plano, Texas, United States)[3] is an American blues guitar player and bandleader of Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets since 1978.[4] Their style incorporates both Chicago blues and Texas blues.
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In 1981, Funderburgh released the Rockets' debut album Talk to You By Hand from New Orleans, Louisiana's based Black Top Records. The band consisted of Anson, with Darrell Nulisch on vocals and harmonica. The album included a cover version of Earl King's song, "Come On". Talk to You By Hand was also the first ever release by the record label. The band appeared at the 1984 San Francisco Blues Festival. When Nulisch left the band in 1985, Funderburgh invited the blues harmonica player Sam Myers from Jackson, Mississippi to fill in the spot.[4] The first Rockets' recording featuring Myers was My Love Is Here To Stay which came out in 1986. He stayed with the band until his death on July 17, 2006, appearing on eight albums with them.
As well as the studio recordings, Funderburgh and his band have played live at the Zoo Bar, in Lincoln, Nebraska. In 1990 the band played the Long Beach Blues Festival. The same year, they appeared on Show #109 of the NBC television program, Sunday Night.
In 1989 and 1990 the band's bassist was Mike Judge, future animator and creator of Beavis and Butt-head and King of the Hill. [5]
Their song "Can We Get Together" was also featured in the film, 21 Grams in 2003. In 2011 The Mill Block Blues CD is released. The CD features Anson Funderburgh in an exciting new role. Not only is Anson laying down more classic Texas Blues guitar licks all over this CD, but he's also lending his experience as arranger and producer to this album. And that results in a landmark album that every blues lover needs in their collection. The CD is also unique in that a portion of the sales of the album will be donated to help fellow musicians in need via the HART Fund. The HART Fund (Handy Artist Relief Trust) is a service provided by the Blues Foundation which provides for acute, chronic and preventive medical and dental care as well as funeral expenses for blues musicians. [6][7]