‘GuitarSlayer’ Justin Lyons: Meet the man reinventing Mavericks’ iconic intro

When he was rising up within the Oak Cliff space of Dallas, Justin Lyons wasn’t but often known as “GuitarSlayer.”

That will come later when his musical chops went world.

However he was an athlete. one, too. He notably excelled at basketball, sufficient to chase the dream.

“I used to be a Mavs fan, a sports activities fan, as a result of I performed basketball all the way in which to varsity,” Lyons stated. “I assumed I used to be going to be on the courtroom, be a Dallas Mav.”

Because it seems, his dream got here true. It simply occurred with him shredding a guitar as a substitute of shredding defenses like Luka Dončić.

In case you are unaware, Lyons is the guitarist virtuoso who has performed worldwide with a plethora of high artists. However he hasn’t forgotten from the place he got here.

He now has revitalized the Mavericks’ pregame introductions, including his stay guitar work to the basic intro music “Eminence Entrance.”

The Who’s anthem has been a staple earlier than the Mavericks’ beginning lineup is introduced earlier than tipoff because the final season at Reunion Area (2000-01). Utilizing the primary iconic notes from the rock band’s track was the brainchild of the late Matt Fitzgerald, a longtime Mavericks’ advertising govt.

In a 2019 interview The Who’s Pete Townshend, who wrote and sang the track, stated that the Mavericks’ determination to make use of Eminence Entrance was “an exquisite use of the track. I will need to have identified (about it), as a result of I will need to have given permission, however I had forgotten.”

However like all nice issues, it wanted some updating. And Lyons has supplied the right modern-age contact to the 42-year-old track that has been maybe essentially the most constant factor, apart from Dirk Nowitzki, since American Airways Heart opened in 2001.

“I like it,” stated Mark Cuban, who owned the Mavericks from the inception of the “Eminence Entrance” intro till just lately promoting majority stake to Miriam Adelson and Sivan and Patrick Dumont. “The vitality was off the charts and the gang loves it as a lot as I do.”

For Lyons, it’s been a terrific expertise. And he’s had just a few, from enjoying with the likes of Machine Gun Kelly, Lil Wayne and virtually being accountable for the Korean-pop explosion. He’s nonetheless often known as GuitarSlayer, a nickname born from his early days within the music enterprise when no guitar was protected. It was stated he was accountable for many devices “resting in items.”

And now, a technology of Mavericks followers are studying of him, even some who perhaps weren’t anticipating it.

“One of the unimaginable issues I’ve seen at a sporting occasion,” stated Dana Larson, the Bally’s Sports activities Southwest studio host. “And I’ve seen all of it. I bought chills.”

Earlier than the beginning of the Western Convention semifinals collection towards Oklahoma Metropolis, Lyons sat down with mavs.com to speak about how his well-received work at middle courtroom earlier than video games got here to be:

Mavs.com: So inform us the genesis of you getting concerned with the Mavericks to carry a brand new, vibrant component to their pregame introductions.

Lyons: “From my good man, Tee (Leach, CEO/Founding father of BHF Advertising Administration & Consulting). He’s the one who got here up with this wonderful imaginative and prescient. It began with the Dallas Stars and me doing the nationwide anthem there. And Tee was like, let’s attempt the Mavericks as effectively. From his connections and his folks and his relationships, he linked that dot. We got here right here and did it as soon as after which the talks started they usually had been like, yo, we will’t consider we didn’t have him right here earlier. So it form of began blooming from there. After which after I bought approached to do the Eminence Entrance, that was breathtaking.”

Mavs.com: You’re a musician, however Eminence Entrance was successful earlier than you had been born. How a lot do you know concerning the track or the way it was utilized by the Mavericks?

Lyons: “I received’t lie and say I paid shut consideration to it till it was introduced to me. After which I began taking note of the truth that we have now a younger staff now, so how can I affect it to have a youthful vitality, however nonetheless give respect to what has already been right here for 23 years.”

Mavs.com: So all of the acts you’ve performed with, what stands out about your profession to date?

Lyons: “That’s a terrific query. I at all times take a look at each second as a second. Rising up proper right here in Dallas, in Oak Cliff, I really feel like I’m not even purported to be right here. I really feel very blessed and lucky to carry this place. I’ve been on many phases with loads of A-list artists. And I’m wanting ahead to what’s to come back as a result of I haven’t even scratched the floor but, particularly with my very own solo factor.

“However this journey has been a blessing. I do know I can play. I do know I’m actually good, simply due to the blessing that’s been bestowed to me. However I’ve at all times been a man who thinks, when it’s time, it is going to be time for folks to listen to and know what I’ve to carry.”

Mavs.com: So when do you know it was time to leap into Korean pop music?

Lyons: “ what? I didn’t even know Okay-pop was a factor till I bought referred to as about it. However right here’s essentially the most wonderful factor about that. We had been the group that emerged that music to a different degree. They employed six of us to come back over to flip their music to what now has been a world sensation. So I really feel very lucky to have blueprinted a selected sound with Okay-pop music. You by no means know when a chance will come alongside. Simply being prepared and staying prepared, ?”

Mavs.com: And there are whispers going round that you’re about to dive into a brand new style. Nation?

Lyons: “ what? That’s my subsequent section. I’ve truly simply completed engaged on a rustic album with an artist by the title of Hello Jackson (and the Nation Membership). And I’m planning on visiting Nashville for a pair months after this summer time as a result of I’ve carried out each style.

“I’ve carried out Gospel, R&B, Jazz, Blues, Okay-pop, punk-pop with Machine Gun Kelly, hip-hop with Lil Wayne. And now I need to faucet into nation. I need to be one of many ones that may say that he truly nailed each style authentically. I don’t need to keep in a single lane. Music is a language and I do my due diligence of learning all of it. So I need to be that one which went down in historical past as one which conquered each style of music.”

Mavs.com: Is it exhausting to grasp such totally different types of music?

Lyons: “For me, taking up a unique style, I research it, I do my analysis and my homework and I spend a lot time with it till it turns into part of me. After which I understand how to translate it and blend it into my very own taste.”

Mavs.com: Inform us about your mother and father. Had been they a giant affect on you changing into a musician?

Lyons: “My dad enjoying the guitar was a giant inspiration as a result of I used to be capable of see him play and listen to what I used to be taught by my mother. My mother is the one who spent the hours buzzing to me what to sing, what to play. And that’s why my ear is unimaginable like it’s and I give loads of that honor to my mother for that.

“However seeing my dad play – my dad is like my model of B.B. King. He sounds similar to B.B. King. And I really feel like I sound like a 3.0 model of my dad. So each time folks hear me, they’re listening to the influences of him as effectively, as a result of I hear it.”

Mavs.com: So if you get to middle courtroom and 20,000 pairs of eyes are on you, do you ever get nervous? Or are you past that at this level?

Lyons: “The butterflies come from simply executing it. Once I’m up there, lights out, I don’t see the rest. I’m simply within the emotion of the vitality. They (butterflies) shortly go away. After which when it’s over, I’m like, I wanna hold going.”

Mavs.com: It sounds such as you’ve bought loads of irons within the fireplace, so it shouldn’t be exhausting to maintain going.

Lyons: “With the entire stuff with the Mavericks, I’m doing my first solo present on the Twogether Land Competition that’s right here at Honest Park on Could 25^th. They’re anticipating 20,000 folks to attend. So this (acting at sold-out Mavericks’ video games) is the right preparation for it.

“And I’m additionally engaged on new music and a pair documentaries. Plus, the Lyon’s Den is my studio right here in Dallas. It’s proper on I-35 and Mockingbird. And I need to construct a fancy to develop different artists. I really feel like Dallas has wonderful artists right here, they only want the right growth so we will get some actual music and a few substance once more.”

Mavs.com: And if folks need to try your authentic work, the place ought to they go?

Lyons: I’m just about in every single place. Apple music, Spotify or on social media at guitarslayer.com (and likewise on X at @guitarslayer24).

Mavs.com: Lastly, you talked about how the youthful nature of the Mavericks helped encourage you to place a brand new vitality into Eminence Entrance. However what do you consider this staff?

Lyons: “This staff right here, I consider in. They’ve the fireplace of their coronary heart and the vitality that they want. And I feel the morale is basically good. I see them going an extended, good distance.”

X: @ESefko