National anthem: Rockin’ with Roli

Those at American Airlines Center today are in store for a national anthem delivered Jimi Hendrix style by Dirk Nowitzki’s brother-in-law. Roli Mayer, married to Dirk’s sister Silke, is trotting out a borrowed guitar for his biggest gig to date.

Unless you’re Keith Richards – and Roli has done his share of Rolling Stones covers – it’s not often that you get to strut your stuff before 20,000. Roli is in town with many of Dirk’s relatives celebrating the holidays.

I listened to Roli warm up this morning and it should be a rockin’ good show. Dirk normally fidgets during the Star Spangled Banner. I’ve got a feeling he’ll be paying closer attention to this one, while trying to hide a smirk.

“Don’t remind me,” Dirk quipped minutes before the opening tip.