The Mavericks are heading back on tour following the death of frontman Raul Malo, but the band says this next chapter is all about honoring his legacy, not replacing him.
According to a new announcement, the Grammy-winning group will hit the road this summer with guest vocalists James Otto and Emily West joining the band for a series of tribute performances dedicated to Malo’s music and memory.
Both singers previously performed with The Mavericks during the emotional tribute shows held for Malo at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium shortly before his death in December 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,” Mavericks keyboard player Jerry Dale McFadden said in a statement announcing the tour.
Emily West also shared her thoughts on joining the tribute run, saying she’s honored to celebrate “the incomparable Raul Malo and his timeless works of art.”
The upcoming tour will also feature the return of original Mavericks member Robert Reynolds, who helped found the band alongside Malo back in 1989. Reynolds stepped away from the group in 2014 while battling substance abuse issues.
Raul Malo passed away in December 2025 after battling cancer. Widely praised for his unmistakable voice and genre-blending style, Malo helped turn The Mavericks into one of the most unique bands in country and Americana music, mixing country, Latin, rockabilly, Tex-Mex, and pop influences into a sound that stood completely on its own.
The band says this tour is ultimately about healing through music and keeping Malo’s spirit alive through the songs fans have loved for decades.
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