“One of the All Time Great Vocalists of Our Generation”: Tim McGraw Pays Touching Tribute to Raul Malo

Tim McGraw has taken to social media to pen a heartwarming homage to his friend and former tour-mate, Raul Malo, following The Mavericks frontman’s death on December 8th.

Malo and McGraw spent a lot of time on the road together in the 1990’s, with The Mavericks opening up on a number of occasions for the ‘Where the Green Grass Grows’ hitmaker.

Alongside a throwback photo of him standing with his wife, Faith Hill, and Malo, McGraw has expressed his gratitude for the time they got to spend together, donning Malo “One of the all time great vocalists of our generation. So unique and innovative and on top of that, a really great human being. We had so much fun touring together”. McGraw movingly concluded, “You will be missed so terribly, brother”.

Malo become renowned for his distinctive, enchanting vocals, which earned The Mavericks a slew of CMA and ACM Awards for Vocal Group of the Year and Top Vocal Group respectively. The Mavericks also took home the Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for ‘Here Comes the Rain’ in 1996.

Malo’s death was announced on Tuesday, December 9th by his wife, Betty, who shared, “At 8:52 pm on December 8th, 2025, my love… our boys’ father… a devoted son and brother… and a friend to so many, gained his angel wings. He was called to do another gig — this time in the sky — and he’s flying high like an eagle. No one embodied life and love, joy and passion, family, friends, music, and adventure the way our beloved Raul did. Now he will look down on us with all that heaven will allow, lighting the way and reminding us to savor every moment”.

The tributes have been flooding in for the beloved ‘Dance the Night Away’ crooner, with his fellow Mavericks band-members underlining that his legacy will be felt for years to come, “Though his earthly body may have passed, Raul’s spirit will live on forever in heaven, and here on earth through the music, joy, and light he brought forth. His contributions to American and Latin music will be everlasting, as his songs and voice touched fans and fellow artists around the world”.

Malo died following a fight with cancer, with the trailblazing artist being diagnosed with colon cancer last summer. Then, in September 2025, Malo revealed to fans that he was battling a rare form of brain and spinal cancer, LMD (leptomeningeal).

With McGraw continuing his popular Las Vegas residency this weekend, it would be a lovely touch if the Louisiana native decided to share a Mavericks cover in Malo’s honour, following this heartfelt social media tribute from the country icon.