This Bluesman’s Dedicated to the Ones He Loves

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.

His guitar playing reflects his upbringing in central Texas: Not only can one hear the resonating influence of such Lone Star bluesmen as Freddy King and Albert Collins, but also “there were always guitars around the house when I was a kid, little toy guitars,” he recalled during a recent phone conversation. “My mother has a picture of me from 1957 with a little Roy Rogers guitar.

“When I first started listening to music, it was country music. There was ‘Buck Owens’ Ranch’ and ‘The Porter Wagoner Show’ and all those shows on TV Saturday mornings. But when my mother bought my first guitar for me, the lady she bought it from also gave me a stack of singles. And in that stack was Freddy King’s ‘Hideaway,’ Albert Collins’ ‘Sno-Cone’; there was Bill Doggett stuff, Ray Charles, Jimmy Reed.

“When I heard that I said, ‘This is the stuff!’ ”

He has been a serious fan and student of the blues since he was 10, and it shows in his mean tonal attack, his taste and his vast knowledge of electric blues-guitar styles. His devotion to the music remains apparent when he gets to talking about his heroes, and he seems to kick himself mentally if he ever forgets to mention even one, as if he had just insulted the person.

“I like Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, Magic Sam and all those Texas guys--Albert Collins, Freddy King, Lightnin’ Hopkins. T-Bone Walker! How can you forget him?! I like jazz stuff like Kenny Burrell and Billy Butler, who played with Bill Doggett. How could I leave out someone like Robert Junior Lockwood? Louis and David Myers. Luther Tucker.

“I’m just a big fan of all that stuff. I hope I’ve created my own little sound, but I’ve sure listened to all that stuff. I loved it back then, and I love it today.”

Funderburgh says he was already a fixture on the Dallas nightclub scene by the time he was 16 (although he added: “If I could go back and listen to what I was doing back then, I may not enjoy it too much”).

In the ‘70s, he released a few singles on his own and recorded with a group called the Bee’s Knees before signing with the Black Top label, which was just getting off the ground in New Orleans. (“Talk to You by Hand,” by Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets, carries serial number BT-1001; it was the label’s maiden release.)

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In 1982, Funderburgh met a kindred journeyman blues artist, singer-harpist-drummer Sam Myers, who had been in the legendary Elmore James’ band and had released a few of his own singles in the ‘50s. The duo cut an album in 1984, and the leather-lunged Myers joined the Rockets full time in 1986.

“It just seemed like it made sense for both of us,” Funderburgh recalls. “He was kind of in between work, and I needed a singer and harmonica player, so I called him up and asked him if he wanted to move to Dallas and start working together. We’ve been together ever since. I think Sam brings authenticity to the band. He’s the real deal, and he has a wonderful voice.”

Rockets who have passed through over the years include a scruffy-looking bass player with a wicked sense of humor. After leaving the band to pursue a career in animation, Mike Judge became a huge success with “Beavis and Butt-head” and the Fox network’s new hit series, “King of the Hill.” Did Funderburgh ever think Judge’s cartoons would become a national sensation?

“No, and if you asked him he’d probably say the same thing,” Funderburgh answered with a chuckle. “His success is absolutely phenomenal, and it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. He was a great musician and a very funny guy to have in the band.”

Next up for Funderburgh is a second duet album with Myers (minus the other Rockets). “My Love Is Here to Stay” is due for release next month.

* Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets featuring Sam Myers play Saturday at Lookers, 24921 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. The Jive Kings open at 9 p.m. $10. (714) 488-3106.