Led by vocalist Raul Malo, The Mavericks have melded country music with 50’s pop, Latino, Tejano, and Americana music since their founding in 1989. Last year, Malo publicly shared his cancer diagnosis with fans. Keeping followers updated on social media, The Mavericks announced in February that the CMA Award-winning frontman was experiencing complications from a December cancer surgery. Unfortunately, those complications mean that the band must pull out of a scheduled tour appearance next year.
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Raul Malo Needs Hernia Surgery, The Mavericks Announce
Returning to the stage with The Mavericks this year, Raul Malo hoped to set sail on the Sandy Beaches Cruise out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in January 2026. Sadly, the band announced in a July 30 social media post that Malo’s cancer treatment schedule has made that impossible.
“Next January, RM will undergo hernia surgery to repair complications from a previous operation,” the post read. “The recovery time following this procedure will require us to take the first couple months of 2026 off for him to rest & recuperate, and hopefully be the final hurdle in his cancer treatment.”
The post continued, “This decision was not made lightly, and we apologize for any disappointment or inconvenience this may cause. Your continued support means the world to us, and we are deeply grateful for your understanding during this time. Thank you for your patience and kindness. We hope to sail with you all again soon.”
[RELATED: The Mavericks’ Raul Malo Hospitalized After Cancer Surgery Complications]
Malo’s Health Issues Continue
Taking some time to reflect on playing 22 cities in 30 days, The Mavericks frontman Raul Malo also shared another health update. The band will take a long break to allow Malo time to recover from colon surgery scheduled next week.
“As always we will keep you all updated as we roll along in this journey,” he wrote on social media July 28. “And thank you to all that came out to see us. You made the miles worthwhile.”
Although doctors “successfully removed a tumor from the liver” in December, Malo’s recovery has not come without setbacks. The “What A Crying Shame” crooner shared another health update in June, revealing that complications from the December operation left him wearing a hernia belt “to help keep my insides in place.”
Still, he remains optimistic. “16 rounds of chemo have done what they’re made to do…kill cancer,” Malo wrote. “I’m not out of the woods yet but I’m on my way.”
Featured image by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Association
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