The Funky Biscuit All Stars with Special Guest Hector Anchondo

303 SE Mizner Blvd ,Boca Raton FL 33432

04 January, 2021

Description

The Funky Biscuit All Stars with Special Guest Hector Anchondo The Funky Biscuit Presents Monday Night Biscuit Jam UNDER 21 WITH PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN The Funky Biscuit All Stars with Special Guest Hector Anchondo Mark Telesca, Richie Schmidt The legendary Funky Biscuit All Stars perform at The Funky Biscuit with hosts Mark Telesca & Richie Schmidt & Special Guest Hector Anchondo Ticket prices are for TABLES of 2 seats, 3 seats, 4 seats & 6 seats. A limited amount of General Admission Standing Room tickets are available.Each Reserved Seat is subject to a $25 food or beverage minimum.Hector AnchondoFor Héctor Anchondo, the third time really became the charmed one. Anchondo entered the 2020 International Blues Challenge in the solo/duo category and came away with the top prize: winning the solo/duo category. He also took home the Memphis Cigar Box Guitar Award for best guitarist in the solo/duo competition, where he performed representing the Blues Society of Omaha. It was Anchondo’s third year performing at the IBC as the BSO’s artist. In 2015 the Héctor Anchondo Band made the semifinals (from about 250 artists down to 50 semifinalists) and in 2016 the Héctor Anchondo Band went all the way to the finals, playing in the top eight bands chosen by judges from the week of performances. Being a winner in the International Blues Challenge is a prestigious honor. For Anchondo, it was the culmination of over two decades of work. “Winning this feels like reward for having stuck with music for 24 years,” Anchondo says. “I had flashbacks of all the journeys, sleeping on floors, years of sleeping in the van, overnight drives, no pay, credit card debt for the cause, broken-down vans, the list goes on.” Anchondo’s dedication to music comes from his heart. He spent time in a popular rock band called Anchondo, but all the while the blues was calling him. Finally, Héctor says, “I decided to make the change to what my heart really wanted. At one point in my old band, I started playing more guitar and there were some folks that became upset because I wasn’t sticking to just the songs. That broke my heart and I decided that I was going to do what my heart was asking and switch to the blues and really let my guitar loose.” He was serious enough about following his calling to move to Chicago for a year, learning from the old- school blues traditions there. “When I started playing all blues, I wanted to make sure I had an authentic sound. So, not only did I move to Chicago to soak up the blues, I also refused to listen to any other style of music for an entire year other than blues. I started on blues then moved to more rock-based. Switching genres later in life, it was important to me to make sure I had a real sound.” “I’m proud that I never gave up,” Anchondo reflects now. “There were times of self-doubt and even a couple times where I questioned if I should change my path. My love of music and performing kept me focused on the blues path. My goals are to keep pushing myself to be a better musician, to push to keep growing so I can pay my bandmates more. Most of all, to keep making people happy so they can forget about all the day-in and day-out complexities that make up our daily lives.” Anchondo is endorsed by Delaney Guitars and GHS Strings, and his guitar rack includes a custom guitar recently completely for him by Mike Delaney. “I’ve been lucky enough to be part of both families ever since I made it to the IBC finals in 2016.” Anchondo plans to continue touring with the Héctor Anchondo Band while also “doing more solo shows. Even a solo album is in the future. Some tours I’ll have some solo shows mixed in. Hopefully I’ll be able to have the guys play in those too, but in an acoustic setting.” For now, his wife and pre-school age children are able to travel with him most of the time, something he really appreciates because he put off a serious relationship and a family to focus on his career. Back in Omaha, he’s also the creative force behind his own festival, creating the In the Market for Blues Festival in 2015 with the help of local company E3 Music Management. His inspiration was the jam-packed Beale Street clubs with blues playing up and down the street during the IBC in Memphis. In the Market for Blues has grown exponentially each year with additional support from the BSO and other sponsors. The most recent event boasted over 40 local, regional and national bands at 12 downtown venues. Anchondo is still following his calling to the blues with heart and dedication. “I’m really exploring my guitar playing and letting go to try and become the best musician and entertainer that I can possibly be.” Of his 2020 IBC win he adds, “This win is for everyone that has stuck with and supported me, never gave up on me and believed in me.” With the IBC trophy in hand and 2020 appearances including The Chicago Blues Festival, The Big Blues Bender and the October Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise adding to his resume, Anchondo continues to build on a solid foundation of hard work and hard touring. In 2017 his release, Roll the Dice, spent 24 weeks on the Roots Music Report after his initial blues releases Young Guns in 2014 and Kicking Up Dust 2012 introduced his blues sound to the Midwest. Mark TelescaMark Telesca is an American songwriter, singer, guitarist, bassist, band leader and author. He has started off the New Year of 2020 with a new solo acoustic CD titled “ Higher Vibrations” along with a new book titled “Love Music-Hate Cancer” “Higher Vibrations” is a collection of 16 songs. Nine original songs composed by Mark. The remaining seven songs are a mix of Pre-WWII blues and spirituals. His finger style guitar playing and storytelling lyrics combined with his powerful vocal seems to be the perfect combination for making a strong connection with his listeners. “Love Music Hate Cancer” is his second self published book. In March 2017, Mark was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and underwent surgery and a series of chemotherapy treatments. He was confined to his home for the better part of that year. During this time he focused on composing music and writing his book. He has been in remission for over 2 years now and doing well! These days Mark is gigging almost every night promoting his music and book. He is also booking speaking gigs in colleges, libraries, hospitals and city centers. He is speaking about the life style changes he has made since his diagnosis and the healing power of music. You can catch him perform every Monday night at the Funky Biscuit in Boca Raton, FL where he is the host of their popular pro-jam. If you would like to see Mark as a solo artist, or playing with his band or attend one of his speaking engagements please refer to the calendar below. Richie SchmidtRichie Schmidt was born and raised in NYC, and was surrounded by musical influences from an early age. Singing in his church's “cherub” choir at age 5, he would follow on to the junior and adult choirs. From grade 2 to 6 he took violin lessons (at public school!). And when the church began to experiment with the new “folk” music style that was becoming popular, he began playing guitar. Some formal lessons followed at the local music store, and the guitar became a constant companion. With his transistor radio (tuned to WABC), he began listening and learning the songs of the time. A friendly competition with his sister Debbie (also a singer/guitarist) provided a “look what I just learned” leap-frog game of sharing songs and styles, accelerating his knowledge of the instrument, as well as his familiarity with the variety of 60s and 70s pop music. Other influences would add some spice to his skills. Under the direction of musicologist Peter Griggs he studied East Indian music and performed as a percussionist with the NYC Gamelan. A high school friend, Christopher Thall, was a prodigious talent who demonstrated learning techniques that opened up many avenues to musical approach and understanding. And Richie's fascination with musical instruments led him to acquire abilities on piano and flute, as well as banjo, mandolin and other stringed instruments. He began performing in rock cover bands in 1976, playing classic rock favorites at parties and high schools and eventually in clubs all around NYC and Long Island. In 1983, he fully dedicated himself to a life of music, leaving his home to join a traveling act. Early in these travels he met keyboardist Tess Smith. The two traveled with the touring band for a number of years, eventually settling in South Florida. In 1990 they were married, and began performing as the duo “Twocan Blue”. In 2002 Richie was invited to fill the guitar role for “The Fabulous Fleetwood's” the longest running “rockin' blues” band in the region. In 2008, he was the musical director for the stage re-creation of the concert movie “The Last Waltz”, and also performed in the role of guitarist Robbie Robertson. Continuing on a busy schedule of performances, he's frequently called on as a solo artist and side man, performing on stages large & small, with local musician friends, as well as many noteworthy artists. The Funky Biscuit All Stars with Special Guest Hector Anchondo Mark Telesca, Richie Schmidt