Ashley Khamtrashyan
Assistant Editor
Imagine being a communications manager full-time at Texas A&M University-San Antonio with a band gig on the side.
That’s Brance Arnold, 47, who started his job for the division of Marketing and Communications in 2022. It’s during this time of the year, however, that Arnold trades his suit and tie for a cowboy hat and boots at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.
Well, the boots, anyway.
“I don’t really do the cowboy hat,” Arnold said.
However, he was rocking a black “Hard Rock” shirt Feb. 21 during his performance with his ‘80s band, Sonic Radio, at the Wine Garden in the Stock Show and Rodeo.
“It’s not typical for a communications manager to play music,” Arnold said. “I don’t really publicize it too much.”
Since playing at the rodeo since 2006, Arnold said he is always excited to see the audience’s reactions.
“I’ve been doing this so long, there’s always a little bit of nerves, but for the most part I am always excited before a show,” Arnold said.
With Arnold as guitarist and backup singer, Sonic Radio includes Arnold’s high school friend Christopher New, 46, a full-time mail carrier, as vocalist.
“Music is therapeutic to the both of us,” New said.
Arnold plays with two bands doing two different genres.
His last few hour and a half shows at the rodeo will be at 5:45 p.m. and at 9 p.m. on Feb. 23 at the Bud Light Stage and at 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Wine Garden.
“We take like ‘80s songs and turn them into old songs, almost,” New said. “We slow it down, and make it different.”
Some songs such as “The Joker” from The Steve Miller Band and Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive” were played.
“You feed off the crowd a lot, too,” New said. “We’re going to have fun with it.”
Not only is Arnold rocking with Sonic Radio, he also plays guitar with a blues group called Chacho and Brance.
However, Arnold does not only play at the rodeo. His bands have performed in Mexico and many places in Texas.
“We try to avoid local bars,” New said. “They just do not know how to appreciate good music.”
Arnold said it is inspiring to play his guitars. That’s plural.
“I have been playing guitar since I was 13,” Arnold said. “I have a total of 17 guitars.”
Some of his music influences came from the band Iron Maiden.
Despite Arnold getting ready for his gig Tuesday night, he was still eager to discuss A&M-San Antonio and students’ success stories.
“Good presentation is one thing my two jobs have in common,” Arnold said.
Still, it was easy to see, Arnold is passionate about his guitar.
