After Raul Malo, The Mavericks Move Forward with New Tribute
It will be a long time before anyone is over the passing of singer, songwriter, and guitarist Raul Malo, if we ever will be. The frontman of The Mavericks and accomplished solo artist passed away in December of 2025 after a battle with Cancer, robbing the Earth of one of the greatest singing voices of any genre, and in any era.
Raul Malo’s voice and presence transcended genre and era, and was too much for any band to contain. But he humbly made The Mavericks the vessel for his music for the lion’s share of his career because he loved the camaraderie with his fellow bandmates, respected their musicianship, and didn’t need to have his name be the only one on the marquee.
When Malo passed, many wondered would it even be possible for The Mavericks to move forward in any capacity, or would that task be difficult to impossible without the presence of Raul? The ultimate answer in some respects is a combination of both.
On Tuesday (5-5), it was announced that The Mavericks will once again be going out on tour. But they’re not doing it in a new era moving on from Raul Malo. They’re doing it in tribute to Malo, and with the help of respected singers and performers James Otto and Emily West. Both filled in for Malo in front of The Mavericks at a set of tribute shows to Raul days before his passing in December of 2025.
“When we did our two tribute shows to Raul back in December at the Ryman Auditorium, James and Emily stole the show both nights,” says Mavericks keyboard player Jerry Dale, who along with guitarist Eddie Perez and drummer Paul Deakin make up the nucleus of the Mavericks band.
“It is with great joy that I join The Mavericks on tour this summer, alongside my longtime friend and powerhouse James Otto, honoring the incomparable Raul Malo and his timeless works of art. The music lives on,” Emily West says.
James Otto adds, “When I joined the band at The Ryman for a couple shows to honor Raul in December, I felt an undeniable musical chemistry but I never imagined it would turn into this opportunity. I’ve had friends in the band for over 20 years and have always loved and respected their music.”
Along with James Otto and Emily West, the new tour will also see the return of original band member Robert Reynolds who started out as the band’s bass player, and later moved to rhythm guitar. He left the band in 2014 due to substance abuse issues.
The Music Lives On Tour will hit 30 dates starting midsummer into the fall, with what they’re characterizing as their “first leg” of the tour. This will include stops in Missouri, Texas, the Northeast, Midwest, and Florida. Tickets go on sale Friday, May 8th at themavericksband.com/tour.
“I believe in my heart Raul would want the band and the music he spent a lifetime creating to play on,” James Otto says. “I’m really looking forward to playing all this incredible music and meeting all the fans out on tour. Viva Las Canciones de El Maestro.”
The Music Lives On Tour Dates
July 17 – Kansas City, MO @ Knuckleheads
July 18 – Kansas City, MO @ Knuckleheads
July 23 – St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant
July 24 – Des Moines, IA @ Hoyt Sherman Place
July 25 – Prior Lake, MN @ Mystic Lake Casino
July 31 – Durham, NC @ Carolina Theatre
August 1 – Charleston, SC @ Charleston Music Hall
August 2 – Knoxville, TN @ Bijou Theatre
August 6 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Tower Theatre
August 7 – Austin, TX @ ACL Live at the Moody Theatre
August 8 – Dallas, TX @ Majestic Theatre
August 21 – Beverly, MA @ The Cabot
August 22 – Webster, MA @ Indian Ranch
August 27 – Red Bank, NJ @ Count Basie Center
August 28 – Jim Thorpe, PA @ Penn’s Peak
August 29 – Lansdowne, PA @ Landsdowne Theater
August 30 – Hammondsport, NY @ Point of the Bluff Vineyard
September 10 – Orlando, FL @ Plaza Live
September 11 – Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Parker Playhouse
September 12 – Clearwater, FL @ Ruth Eckerd Hall
September 18 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues
September 19 – Helotes, TX @ Floore’s Country Store
October 29 – Morristown, NJ @ Mayo Performing Arts Center
October 31 – Tarrytown, NY @ Tarrytown Music Hall
November 6 – Royal Oak, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre
November 8 – Joliet, IL @ Rialto Square Theatre
November 12 – Shipshewana, IN @ Blue Gate Theatre
November 13 – Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theater
November 14 – Madison, WI @ Orpheum Theater
May 5, 2026 @ 6:21 pm
I was just thinking about him earlier today. I’d love to see some of this released as a live album at some point.
May 5, 2026 @ 6:25 pm
I went down and extremely deep Mavericks rabbit hole after his passing and watched a lot of live video on youtube. The band is absolutely incredible. There’s no replacing this generational talent but I’m glad the music will continue. It’s too good of a band to do anything but continue.
May 5, 2026 @ 6:54 pm
Raul Malo is irreplaceable. His was a once in a generation voice. There are very few vocalists that have the live ability that he had. I saw The Mavericks in Austin 6 years ago at The Moody Center. Our seats were in the balcony, maybe 6 rows ahead of the last row. He sounded amazing from there and I swear that I could feel that beautiful voice literally lift me from my seat by the chest when he sang How Can You Mend A Broken Heart a cappella. What an incredible experience that was.
May 5, 2026 @ 7:23 pm
Saw them half a dozen times. The takeaway was always joy. It was always joyous. Incredible band. Never had a bad time. Wish they were coming closer to me but I think this will be a bittersweet experience. Good for the band, though.
May 5, 2026 @ 7:36 pm
Malo cannot be replicated, but James Otto is a hell of a singer. I think he’ll do just fine in the role. Don’t know much about Emily West, curious to hear how she does. I might have to go see a show, even if my bucket list item to see a Malo-led Mavericks can no longer happen.
May 5, 2026 @ 8:04 pm
Hey having an act that’s big enough to play the music hall circuit is something. I don’t blame the guys for trying. They’ll find out soon enough if it works and has staying power. I hope it’s not a pure tribute act and they add some new mateiral over time.
Heck, Randy Travis does the circuit and–as far as I know–he sings only one word: “Aaaaaaaymen.”