Mavericks Tame Rodeo Austin
Raul Malo’s caballeros take opening weekend to the cantina
By Raoul Hernandez, 11:00AM, Mon. Mar. 14, 2016
Even on a Sunday afternoon when the cowboys couldn’t rope the calves and the kindergartener-strapped muttons were busted – flat-out lethargic – not to mention the horse fillies failed to slalom the barrels, and no one could stay on the bull tonnage, Rodeo Austin still broke the bank. Paradise weather and the Mavericks saw to that.
Raúl Francisco Martínez-Malo Jr. and I share a birthdate and birth year, but the Miami-born crooner, 50, wears a scarf like nobody’s business. The hat, the build, the threat of “Guantanamera” breaking out at any second, all combined with the Nashville quartet’s crisp rockabilly, makes the Mavericks’ brand of country distinctly cantina-ish. If Jimmy Buffett surfed gulf & western, Malo’s happy crew practice Cuban Swing.
Rotating on a circular stage in the middle of the arena where the beasts had tamed the bipeds, the eight-man band brassed off with a dual horn section and an auxiliary accordionist that gave the band a Mariachi punch. Fifty minutes of carnival pop invigorated the hall, and finally brought everyone’s boots upright for closer “All You Ever Do is Bring Me Down.” Malo led the charge with a tenor slumming in pop music rather than opera.
“We haven’t played the rodeo in 20 years or something,” he began.
From the gut-bucket blues of “Do You Want Me To” and an Augie Meyers organ bleat goosing “Back in Your Arms Again” to the Roy Orbison heart palpitations on “Waltz Across to Texas,” Malo led like a Leo with a cry to match. Willie Nelson had opened Rodeo Austin the day before, Saturday, and the Mavericks stampeded through his hole in the fence. Thirteen more days invite you to do the same.
MARCH is Rodeo Austin music month!
Monday 14 Grouplove
Tuesday 15 Gary Allan
Wednesday 16 Andy Grammer
Thursday 17 Josh Abbott Band
Friday 18 Turnpike Troubadours
Saturday 19 Cam
Sunday 20 Tanya Tucker
Monday 21 Diamond Rio
Tuesday 22 Smokey Robinson
Wednesday 23 Brett Eldredge
Thursday 24 Eli Young Band
Friday 25 Josh Turner
Saturday 26 Kevin Fowler
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Raoul Hernandez, March 16, 2015
Raoul Hernandez, Jan. 4, 2013
April 17, 2015
July 5, 2024
Rodeo Austin, Mavericks, Raul Malo, Willie Nelson, Turnpike Troubadors } Grouplove, Smokey Robinson, Kevin Fowler, Roy Orbison, Augie Meyers, Tanya Tucker
