The Mavericks Honor Raul Malo With The Music Lives On Tour
(MPG) The Mavericks will honor their beloved leader Raul Malo with a return to the stage for The Music Lives On Tour, featuring lead vocals from acclaimed artists James Otto and Emily West.
The tour follows The Mavericks' two-night tribute at The Ryman last December, where Otto and West were among several standout performances honoring the band's decades-long history and the lasting impact of their fearless leader. Kicking off in July, the band will take their tribute tour across the country for the rest of 2026. Tickets are on sale this Friday, May 8th.
Longtime band member and drummer Paul Deakin on the announcement: "James Otto and Emily West are undeniable talents. We were fortunate to have them on our tribute show at the Ryman and they both gave standing ovation performances. Add to that their love and respect for Raul, and The Mavericks made them our top choice to come on the road with us for this first leg of The Music Lives On Tour. We are lucky to have them and we are looking forward to many memorable, joyous nights on stage with them celebrating Raul and the legacy of The Mavericks."
Guitarist/vocalist Eddie Perez adds, "We're so excited to welcome our dear talented friends, James Otto and Emily West into The Mavericks family, and we are all looking forward to celebrating this music with you all again this upcoming year!" And keyboardist Jerry Dale said, "When we did our two tribute shows to Raul back in December at the Ryman Auditorium, James and Emily stole the show both nights!"
Emily West on joining The Mavericks: "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."
James Otto adds, "I'm honored to have been asked to join The Mavericks for The Music Lives On Tour. 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." He continues, "I've had friends in the band for over 20 years and have always loved and respected their music. Their eclectic, outside-the-box energy has always appealed to me. Raul Malo's voice is iconic and his stellar songwriting and musicianship made him a legend. I am humbled to lend my talents to the band and share the stage with my golden-voiced friend Emily West to celebrate Raul and The Mavericks' musical legacy. I believe in my heart Raul would want the band and the music he spent a lifetime creating to play on. 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."
An irreplaceable talent, Raul Malo's spirited performances garnered a massive and loyal following, and his powerful songwriting and musicianship earned multiple Grammy, ACM, and CMA awards. Over a career of more than three decades, he created the kind of multicultural American music reaching far beyond America itself. After he was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2024, Malo continued to tour with The Mavericks for the next year and spoke about his journey on NPR's Weekend Edition. He passed away on December 8, 2025 while surrounded by his friends and family.
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
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