Anson Funderburgh

Anson Funderburgh talks a lot more slowly than he plays. He's got the classic Texas drawl where it takes him an hour and a half to say "yuuuuuuuuuuuuuup." He's this week's Texas guitar hero on the move. The band used to do nearly 300 gigs per year, but now it's down to a mere 260 nights, which is still a mighty serious road trip. Back in the days when brevity was king, Funderburgh's band was called Anson & the Rockets.

Anson Funderburgh, who plays Lookers in Dana Point on Saturday night, personifies "journeyman blues artist." At 43, he has been a professional musician for two-thirds of his life, and, while he might not have the raw flash or personal charisma of certain better known bluesmen, he always is solid, reliable and happy to take his act to the next town.

Anson Funderburgh, who plays Lookers in Dana Point on Saturday night, personifies "journeyman blues artist." At 43, he has been a professional musician for two-thirds of his life, and, while he might not have the raw flash or personal charisma of certain better known bluesmen, he always is solid, reliable and happy to take his act to the next town.

A former produce market turned restaurant and nightclub, the George Street Grocery in Jackson, Miss., has shut its doors a few times since being built shortly after the turn of the century. Recently opened again, the modest, two-story red brick building is a survivor--much like the blues musicians who have played there over the years. But perhaps the best tale of revival and redemption coming from the George Street Grocery belongs to Anson Funderburgh and Sam Myers.

Critics carp so much about lack of feeling in music that sometimes the issue of imagination gets overlooked. Texas-based blues band Anson & the Rockets played with plenty of feeling at the Palomino on Friday--tons of it. But like so many in the contemporary blues scene, the band showed no imagination. Nada. Zilch. Goose egg. There's no doubt that this band deserves its rep as one of the top blues attractions on the circuit, and Friday's show before an enthusiastic crowd offered about as much fun as you can have in a 12-bar shuffle context.

A former produce market turned restaurant and nightclub, the George Street Grocery in Jackson, Miss., has shut its doors a few times since being built shortly after the turn of the century. Recently opened again, the modest, two-story red brick building is a survivor--much like the blues musicians who have played there over the years. But perhaps the best tale of revival and redemption coming from the George Street Grocery belongs to Anson Funderburgh and Sam Myers.

Guitarist ANSON FUNDERBURGH playing the Texas blues with singer SAM MYERS, a veteran of Elmore James' band, in Dana Point. See WHAT GOES ON.

Sam Myers, 70, a blues musician best known as a singer and harmonica player, died July 17 of throat cancer at his Dallas home, according to his sister, Eula Jones. He was diagnosed with cancer last year and had been unable to perform with his band, Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets, since late 2004. Myers, a native of Laurel, Miss., had been with the Rockets as their featured vocalist since 1986. Myers, along with the Rockets, collectively won nine W.C.

What's happening the next few weeks: * Blues Blast '99, the annual festival of the Phoenix Blues Society, gets underway Feb. 21, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., at Mesa Amphitheater, 201 N. Center St., Mesa. Scheduled performers include Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets featuring Sam Myers, Guitar Shorty, Big Nick and the Gila Monsters, Hans Olson, Chico Chism and Lisa Otey. $12 in advance; $15 day of show. (602) 644-2560.

No more pigskin excuses--Monday Night Football is history. But Blue Monday at Alexander's in Ventura lives. This week, it's yet another hot Texas blues band, Anson & the Rockets. To get technical, it's actually Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets featuring Sam Myers, which is longer than any of their song titles. The 8 p.m., $8 show is a thinly veiled effort to sell copies of the band's sixth release, "Tell Me What I Want to Hear."

Anson Funderburgh talks a lot more slowly than he plays. He's got the classic Texas drawl where it takes him an hour and a half to say "yuuuuuuuuuuuuuup." He's this week's Texas guitar hero on the move. The band used to do nearly 300 gigs per year, but now it's down to a mere 260 nights, which is still a mighty serious road trip. Back in the days when brevity was king, Funderburgh's band was called Anson & the Rockets.

Critics carp so much about lack of feeling in music that sometimes the issue of imagination gets overlooked. Texas-based blues band Anson & the Rockets played with plenty of feeling at the Palomino on Friday--tons of it. But like so many in the contemporary blues scene, the band showed no imagination. Nada. Zilch. Goose egg. There's no doubt that this band deserves its rep as one of the top blues attractions on the circuit, and Friday's show before an enthusiastic crowd offered about as much fun as you can have in a 12-bar shuffle context.

Walking onstage Saturday at the Cal State Long Beach Athletic Field, legendary blues singer Bobby Blue Bland looked out over the sea of faces and smiled. Hooting and hollering, the crowd acted as if it was honored to be in his presence. After 44 years of recording, Bland is only starting to get the kind of accolades he deserves, and he basked in the attention before singing his heart out for 80 minutes.

Today Chat--Noon: Sandra Betzina demonstrates projects for all levels of sewing proficiency, with an emphasis on home decorating and quilting. http://www.hgtv.com/HGTV/advice Chat--6 p.m.: Janet Jackson hosts her first online chat. Ask her about her career and how to get pre-sale tickets to upcoming concerts. http://www.chat.msn.com/msnlive/features/aom.asp Friday Jazz--3 p.m.: The Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival welcomes the winners of the annual Sisters in Jazz Collegiate Competition.