The National Music Council of the United States joins the entirety of the global music community in mourning the death of American Eagle Award honoree Raul Malo

The National Music Council of the United States joins the entirety of the global music community in mourning the death of American Eagle Award honoree Raul Malo.  The Award was presented to his bandmates in The Mavericks on his behalf at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on December 5, 2025, with music executive Scott Borchetta reading a moving letter of acceptance from the hospitalized honoree.  Malo passed away from cancer three days later at the age of 60.

In presenting the American Eagle Award, NMC chair Charlie Sanders was effusive in his praise of Malo for his vocal excellence as one of the finest singers ever to emerge from Nashville, his soaring brilliance as a songwriter, musician and producer, and his leadership of one of the most compelling and talented bands in American music history.  He likewise noted that “equally importantly, Raul served as his generation’s torch bearer for the American bi-lingual music tradition, melding the music of Miami, Texas, Cuba, Mexico and a hundred other border-based influences into a unique sound that will continue to excite listeners for generations to come.  He cared deeply about cultural preservation and music education, and has left a legacy that includes teaching millions of children in the US and around the world to appreciate the incredibly rich musical repertoire of Spanish-influenced Americana.”

An additional American Eagle Award ceremony honoring Malo and The Mavericks will be held on January 23, 2026 in Anaheim at the Winter NAMM Show.  So influential and extraordinary a talent was Raul, the NMC board determined that a second celebration in the Los Angeles area is entirely appropriate.

Our memories of him will remain a blessing, and we send our heartfelt condolences to all who loved him.