Anson Funderburgh (born November 15, 1954, Plano, Texas[1]) is a blues guitar player and band leader. He has led Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets since 1979. Their style incorporates both Chicago blues and Texas blues. In 1981, Funderburgh released the Rockets' debut album Talk to You By Hand from the New Orleans, Louisiana, based Black Top Records, 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.
In 1981, Funderburgh released the Rockets' debut album Talk to You By Hand from the New Orleans, Louisiana, based Black Top Records, 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 outfit appeared on the bill 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. 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 has played live at the Zoo Bar, in Lincoln, Nebraska. In 1990 the band was on the bill at the Long Beach Blues Festival. In addition in 1990, they appeared on Show #109 of the NBC television program, Sunday Night.
In 1989 and 1990 the band's bass player was Mike Judge, future animator and creator of Beavis and Butt-head and King of the Hill.
Their song "Can We Get Together" featured in the film "21 Grams" (2003).