The Mavericks and Friends Celebrate a Legacy at Indian Ranch August 22, 2026
There was an unavoidable sense of history hanging over Indian Ranch on August 22 as The Mavericks and Friends took the stage. Following the death of Raul Malo, the band’s longtime frontman, singer and irreplaceable voice, the evening became something more meaningful: a celebration of the music he helped create and the legacy he left behind.
Malo’s absence was impossible to ignore. For more than three decades, his rich, soulful tenor had been at the center of The Mavericks’ sound, giving the band’s blend of country, rockabilly, Tex-Mex, pop and Latin music its distinctive character. But rather than attempt to replace Malo, The Mavericks and Friends approached the evening as a tribute, enlisting a couple of new voices, namely James Otto and Emily West. Otto doubled on guitar as well, adding volume to the Mavericks’ already full sound.
At Indian Ranch, that musical diversity became a strength. The songs provided a framework for different performers to step forward, bringing their own personalities while respecting the spirit of the originals. While Otto’s lead vocal is noticeably different than Malo’s, the band carried the songs and one could appreciate them in a completely different way. West added a whole new element to the familiar music.
Along with Otto and West, the lineup included drummer Paul Deakin, guitarist Eddie Perez, keyboardist Jerry Dale McFadden, and returning co-founding bassist Robert Reynolds. They were ably joined by a horn section as well as accordion player Percy Cardona, who captured the audience when taking his place at the front of the stage.
The result was a concert that was both celebratory and bittersweet. Familiar songs carried additional emotional weight, particularly for longtime fans who had followed Malo and the band through the years. For me, the new voices made the songs sufficiently different enough to feel like I was hearing them for the first time. The band was locked in and their enjoyment of playing onstage again was obvious.
Indian Ranch, with its relaxed outdoor setting and devoted summer concert audience, proved to be an appropriate place for such a gathering. There was plenty of energy in the crowd, but also a sense of appreciation. A steady drizzle may have kept some away, but those who attended were treated to a unique event, familiar songs with a new filter.
The Mavericks and Friends ultimately became more than a concert title. It described exactly what the night represented: musicians, friends and fans gathering around a remarkable body of music. Raul Malo may no longer be standing at center stage, but his influence remains woven into every melody, every harmony and every song. Time will tell how they continue to evolve, and they have a solid base of fan support to build on.
McKinley James opened the main show with a blistering set of blues and roots rock. James, along with drummer Jason Smay, have toured with ZZ Top and others during his short career. They ripped through a set of originals which gave notice of future highlights. James also joined the Mavericks for a few songs during the main set.
Boston based singer-songwriter Brady Wells and his band started the day on the second stage with a set of soulful country and pop songs to an appreciative audience.
https://www.themavericksband.com/
Enjoy some of our previous coverage here: Interview: Raul Malo: The Mavericks are as “Creative as We Want to Be”
Setlist:
Back in Your Arms Again
Stories We Could Tell
Come Unto Me
What a Crying Shame
Here Comes the Rain
There Goes My Heart
Please Heart Forgive Me
Born to be Blue
The Only Question Is
As Long as There’s Loving Tonight
Harvest Moon
Summertime
All That Heaven Will Allow
Tell Me Why
I Should Have Been True
Recuerdos
Every Little Thing About You
Dance in the Moonlight
Dance the Night Away
All Night Long/ Let the Sun Shine In
All You Ever Do is Bring Me Down