Anson Funderburgh

Born in 1954, Anson Funderburgh hails from Plano, Texas where as a youngster he picked up his first guitar at the tender age of three. By the time he was in high school, Anson was bitten by the blues bug while listening to 45 RPM singles by the likes of Jimmy Reed, Freddie King & Lightnin’ Hopkins. In 1978 he started Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets with vocalist & harmonica player Darrell Nulisch. The Rockets were the first band to record for the New Orleans-based blues and soul imprint Black Top Records. Not only did The Rockets record several of their own releases for this renowned label, Anson lent his talents to countless Black Top releases by celebrated artists such as Snooks Eaglin, Grady Gaines, Clarence Holliman & Carol Fran and James “Thunderbird” Davis. By the time 1986 rolled around, Darrell stepped away from the music business and was replaced by the legendary Sam Myers. For the next 20 years Anson & The Rockets, along with Myers, toured continuously all over the world and went on to win ten Blues Music Awards from the Blues Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee. Myers performed with The Rockets until his death in 2006. After Sam's passing, Anson took a break from non-stop touring but continued to perform periodically as The Rockets with featured guest singers & harmonica players including James Harman, John Nemeth and the late Lee McBee. Eventually, Washington DC-based Big Joe Maher joined forces with The Rockets as drummer and lead vocalist. Over the years, Anson has caught the attention of some of the most influential musicians in the business, performing and recording with the likes of Delbert McClinton, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Boz Scaggs and Jimmy Buffett. His unmistakeable style, tone and sensibility has made him one of contemporary blues music’s most important guitar players. Currently, Funderburgh is part of the Golden State Lone Star Revue featuring Mark Hummel & RW Grigsby from California and Mike Keller & Wes Starr from Texas. In 2012, Funderburgh was performing on Delbert McClinton’s Sandy Beaches Cruise where he crossed paths with Eric Lindell. In the ensuing six years, Anson has been a featured guest with Lindell’s band, touring and recording together. Zenith Sunn is the pair’s latest undertaking and first full-fledged collaboration.