ANSON FUNDERBURGH
ANSON FUNDERBURGH – a native of Texas, has spent the majority of his adult life playing the blues. Anson has earned the respect of artists like Delbert McClinton, Boz Scaggs, Jimmie & Stevie Ray Vaughan and Ronnie Earl. Over the years, these musicians have called on Anson to lend his tremendous guitar talents to their projects.
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 continued his association in the ’90s with Black Top releasing Tell Me What I Want to Hear (1991), Live at Grand Emporium (1995), and That’s What They Want (1997). After releasing nine albums on Black Top, in 1999 Funderburgh changed record labels with the release of Change in my Pocket for Bullseye Blues, a cd which won several W.C. Handy Awards.
Since the passing of long time musical partner Sam Myers, Anson has concentrated on raising a family, working local gigs and performing at a smattering of festivals around the world. Now Anson has caught a renewed dose of the performing bug and will begin to perform more regularly with the distinct possibility of regular tours in the coming years.
“Funderburgh remains a musician’s musician. He’ll explode into a fiery and melodic solo, and then seamlessly recede into a song at just the right moment to propel the rhythm…he makes sure the songs both breathe and burn…a band that truly understands the essence of the genre.” – Blues Revue
“None of the younger crop of blues guitarist come close as Anson does to achieving the classic Stratocaster tone defined by Otis Rush in the ’50’s and Magic Sam in the ’60’s. The Rockets have landed and Anson is at the bridge.” –Guitar Player