The Mavericks To Honor Raul Malo With ‘The Music Lives On Tour’

/by

The Mavericks. Photo: Alejandro Menéndez Vega

The Mavericks will honor their beloved leader Raul Malo when they return to the road for “The Music Lives On Tour,” featuring lead vocals from 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 the performers honoring the band’s decades-long history and the impact of Malo. Kicking off in July, the Mavericks will take their tribute tour across the country this year with shows in Knoxville, Dallas, Orlando, Charleston, and more through Nov. 14. Tickets are on sale now here.

“James Otto and Emily West are undeniable talents,” says Mavericks drummer Paul Deakin. “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.”

“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,” says West. “The music lives on.”

“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,” shares Otto. “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.”

Malo passed away on Dec. 8, 2025 following a battle with colon cancer. Across his career, he earned multiple Grammy, ACM and CMA awards.

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

Lorie Hollabaugh
Latest posts by Lorie Hollabaugh (see all)