09/12/2025
THE MAVERICKS FINISHED AN EMOTIONAL TWO-NIGHT TRIBUTE TO RAUL MALO IN NASHVILLE THIS WEEK.
As Raul Malo continued his battle with cancer, The Mavericks took the stage at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Friday, December 5th, for the first of two deeply emotional tribute shows — a celebration of his extraordinary 35-year impact on music, and a gathering of artists whose lives and careers he touched.
A Night for a Trailblazer
An eclectic mix of country, roots, Americana, and Latin musicians came together to honour Malo, the golden-voiced frontman known for reshaping the boundaries of country music. Though diagnosed with an incurable form of brain cancer in September, his influence filled the room, even as he was unable to attend after being rushed to a Nashville ER the day before.
The evening — titled Dance the Night Away: A 35-Year Musical Legacy Celebrating The Mavericks & Honoring Raul Malo — was the first of two sold-out nights dedicated to both Malo and the band’s legacy. Halfway through the show, the National Music Council of the United States presented Malo with the prestigious American Eagle Award, acknowledging his lifelong dedication to preserving multilingual American music and supporting music education. Past recipients include Stephen Sondheim, Quincy Jones, and Kris Kristofferson.
A Musical Innovator
Born in Florida to Cuban parents, Malo co-founded The Mavericks and helped shape their distinctive sound: a blend of neo-traditional country, classic pop, rock, Tex-Mex, Afro-Cuban rhythms, jazz, and beyond. Their horn-driven theatrics, syncopated Latin grooves, and Malo’s signature vibrato made the band one of the most innovative forces in modern American music.
Friday night’s audience — and roster of guest performers — reflected the breadth of his influence.
A Letter From Raul
Although unable to be there, Malo sent a letter to fans that was read by longtime supporter and label head Scott Borchetta. The note captured the emotional weight of the moment:
“Music has been the guiding force of my entire life. In these past months, I’ve had to fight battles I never imagined. But on the hardest of days, music remained my companion. Your letters and your stories carried me more than you know… Thank you for giving my voice a place to live, even when my body cannot be the one delivering it.”
The Mavericks accepted the award on his behalf.
Friends, Peers, and Protégés Take the Stage
Throughout the three-hour show, artists from multiple generations performed in Malo’s honour:
• Jeff Hanna, Jim Lauderdale, and Steve Earle paid tribute as longtime friends and collaborators.
• Lauderdale, after singing “There Goes My Heart,” said: “You’ve created one of the greatest bands ever. You’ve created one of the greatest batches of songs ever sung.”
• Maggie Rose voiced the nerves everyone felt: “In my humble opinion, Raul Malo is the best singer Nashville has ever seen.”
• JD McPherson, Ray Benson, James Otto, Seth Walker, and many others echoed their admiration.
The Mavericks’ 10-piece band played with unmistakable fire — horns blazing, rhythms pulsing, the full weight of their connection to Malo on display. Audience members danced in the wings; shouts and applause shook the pews of the historic venue.
Stories, Laughter, and Heartache
Artists shared personal stories of Malo’s rebellious streak, his humour, and his unwavering commitment to artistic freedom. Rodney Crowell recalled Malo’s willingness to stand up to industry expectations, comparing him to Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.
A particularly emotional moment came when Robert Reynolds, the band’s original bassist, rejoined The Mavericks for the first time in years. He recounted meeting Malo in Miami decades ago — a moment that changed his life — and spoke with visible emotion about visiting his old friend after learning of his illness.
A Career Marked by Triumph and Courage
Malo’s cancer journey began in June 2024, shortly after the release of Moon & Stars. Initially diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, he underwent chemotherapy and surgery but pushed for The Mavericks to continue touring. They did so until September 2025, when Malo revealed that his cancer had progressed to leptomeningeal disease, affecting the membranes around his brain and spinal cord.
Despite the prognosis, he remained determined to create music, telling Reynolds:
“I may not sing again, but I can produce records and write songs.”
A Final, Joyful Crescendo
Reynolds returned to the stage with the band for a thundering performance of “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down.” The show built to an emotional climax with a full-ensemble performance of “Dance the Night Away” — the namesake for the tribute and one of the band’s most beloved tracks. With its bright samba rhythm and lyrics about letting go of life’s troubles, the song captured everything The Mavericks stand for: joy, resilience, and musical freedom.
As the band stood arm-in-arm to close the night, guitarist Eddie Perez spoke through emotion:
“Thank you so much. We are and always will be The Mavericks.”
A portion of the night’s proceeds will support Stand Up To Cancer. Night two continues at the Ryman tonight and is available to stream on Nugs.net.
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