BLUES : A Match Made in Jackson, Miss.

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.

In 1982, Funderburgh was a young, guitar-slinging musical nomad from Texas. Myers was a local singer and harpman who was known for being a sideman to the great Elmore James during the 1950s.

All it took was a single night of jamming on the tiny George Street Grocery stage to light a fire to their careers. A few years later, Funderburgh and Myers were raking in four prestigious W.C. Handy blues music awards for their first album.

Funderburgh had heard Myers, who will turn 57 next week, on a couple of old, scratchy 45s. When a mutual acquaintance mentioned between sets that Myers wanted to sit in with Funderburgh and his band, the Rockets, the Texan was excited.

Partially blind, the bespectacled Myers stepped slowly onto the club’s tiny stage and broke into one of his compositions, “My Love Is Here to Stay.”

“The hair kind of raised up on the back of my neck,” said Funderburgh, 38, in a soft, North Texas drawl. “His voice has that great big growly sound, and he plays a great harmonica. Sam is the real thing.”

It took about four years for Myers to decide to leave Jackson, which is less than 100 miles from his Laurel, Miss., birthplace, and become part of Funderburgh’s frenetic, 300-show-a-year pace. But after joining the Rockets in 1986, success came quickly.

“I was shocked when we won those (W.C. Handy awards in 1988),” said Funderburgh by phone from Albuquerque, N.M. “I knew we worked hard on the album (“Sins”), but man, four awards was unbelievable.”

What Myers brings to the band is a kaleidoscope of blues experience. In addition to touring with James and Robert Junior Lockwood, Myers played several summers in Chicago and also experienced the rich musical night life of New Orleans.

A power-packed Midwest blues sound featuring a talented four-piece horn section is heard on the group’s most recent release of new material, 1991’s “Tell Me What I Want To Hear.” But the guts of the group’s sound comes from Myers and Funderburgh. Myers is a Delta blues shouter from the old school, similar to Muddy Waters.

“He really does add authenticity to our band,” Funderburgh said. “He is a guy who really lived that (1950s Southern-style blues) era.”

Funderburgh relies on lean, spare hooks and an uncanny feel for the right time to drop them into the song rhythm.

“I’ve never believed in using 10 notes when you can say the same thing with one or two,” Funderburgh said.

Also of note for blues fans, the former backup band for late blues legend Albert King has decided to re-form and go on the road with a tribute tour to their former leader. The Albert King Blues Band will play Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 8 p.m. at the Heritage Brewing Co. in Dana Point.

Among the special guests will be Otis Clay, J.J. (Bad Boy) Jones, the King Bros. Blues Band, Redbone, Delany Bramlett & Friends and Jerry McGee. The Albert King Blues Band is composed of former band members who had been with King for periods of time ranging from nine months to 15 years. Tickets are $5. (714) 240-2060.