It is the kind of announcement no band ever wants to make.
An iconic country music group that first hit the scene in the late ’80s had to share some tough news with their loyal fanbase when they cancelled two upcoming tour dates. The reason? Their adored frontman is on the mend following stage four cancer surgery earlier in August and needs time to recover.
Fans of the beloved, genre-bending band The Mavericks are sending their best wishes to Raul Malo, 60.
In a statement posted to the band’s official Instagram account on Friday, The Mavericks announced they would have to call off two of their highly anticipated post-summer-break performances. The canceled shows were scheduled for Las Vegas on Sept. 4 and Santa Fe on Sept. 6.
The band shared that the cancellations are necessary as “Raul continues to rest and recover at home from surgery earlier this month.” The statement continued, “We apologize sincerely for any inconvenience this may cause, and appreciate everyone’s continued understanding this year.”
While concertgoers were certainly disappointed, the post was met with overwhelming understanding. The comments sections on both the band’s announcement and Malo’s personal Instagram, where he reposted it, were quickly flooded with messages of love, prayer, and healing from fans and fellow artists alike.
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“I’m glad that Raul’s health is being put above everything else,” one fan commented. “The way it should be.”
Fellow country-folk musician Drayton Farley added, “Raul is a force and a gentleman. Rest up!”
The supportive messages continued to pour in.
“We’ll be here when you’re good and ready to hit the road again. Until then, rest and focus on your healing. ❤️” One user wrote, while many others shared similar sentiments like, “Praying for your healing and recovery!”
Another fan shared a touching tribute, writing, “As you get your much needed rest to regain your strength, always know that your music is what heals so many people. You have a gift that comes from your heart. ❤️❤️”
The Mavericks have been a musical force for over three decades. Founded in Miami in 1989, the band quickly stood out for their unique blend of neotraditional country, rock ‘n’ roll, and Latin and jazz influences. They achieved commercial success with their major-label debut album From Hell to Paradise in 1992 and again with album What a Crying Shame in 1994, which featured multiple hits including “O What a Thrill.” The group went on to win a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1996 for their song “Here Comes the Rain.”
At the heart of that distinctive sound has always been Raul Malo, the band’s founder, lead vocalist, and the sole writer of many of their biggest songs. Beyond his work with The Mavericks, Malo has also pursued a successful solo career, further showcasing his incredible versatility.
While the early September dates are off, there is still hope for the rest of the tour. In their Instagram statement the band said, “At this time, we do anticipate the shows supporting Dwight Yoakam, Sept 11-13 to continue as planned.”
The band also confirmed that while the Santa Fe show could not be rescheduled, full refunds will be offered and they plan to return to the Big Blues Bender festival in 2026.
