Episode #39 - Sam Gunderson (Crunchy Water)

Sam Gunderson is one of Reston's original guitar heroes. His knowledge of music and love of grooves allows him to navigate easily between blues, rock, hip-hop, go-go, and more. Gunderson grew up listening to Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Randy Rhoads, while also learning at the feet of other local legends such as Jon Rustad and Mike Davis of The Iceboxers and Joe Lawlor of Egypt. Gunderson jammed with keyboardist David Linsenmayer early on in elementary school, but it wasn't until they met drummer Gabe Kader and bass player Lefty Furr that they were able to form a real band. Those four came together, naming themselves Crunchy Water after the Dweezil Zappa song, and started writing the songs that would be the backbone of their sets at Jam for Man and beyond. At the same time, Gunderson joined Kader's brother, Tarik, in the diverse go-go band Split Decision. After high school, Gunderson formed the band Cactus Groove and has continued to play with those musicians off and on for decades. Gunderson eventually moved farther down south to Birmingham, Alabama, and continues to learn from the rich blues tradition there, while also marrying and forming a band with his wife, the SBG's. You can stay current on Gunderson's many projects and shows at https://www.facebook.com/samgun00/.