Sam Myers

Sam Myers was a blues singer / drummer / harpist / harmonica player who was born in Laurel, MS, in 1938. He played in the Jackson, MS, area in the 1950s, backing up such "Delta blues" artists as Elmore James and even releasing a few singles on his own. He formed his own band in the 1960s and played what was called the "chitlin' circuit" throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Although he became well known in that area, he was unable to break out of Mississippi, and by the 1980s his career was waning. In 1985 he met guitarist Anson Funderburgh, in 1986 Myers was asked to join his already existing band called Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets and stayed until his death. The move revived Myers' career, and he toured nationally and recorded with the band, which won a W.C. Handy award in 1988 as Best Blues Band and another for Best Blues Album, "Sins". Sam Myers died in Dallas, TX, on July 17, 2006.