Genre-defying, Grammy Award-winning band The Mavericks will perform at Byham Theater on November 28 in support of their first ever-holiday album Hey! Merry Christmas!, which releases on November 2. Always a group to forge their own path, The Mavericks wrote eight original songs for Hey! Merry Christmas!featuring the group’s distinctive blend of rockabilly Latino, folk, swing, blues, jazz and more. The new collection also includes The Mavericks’ renditions of two yuletide favorites “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” and “Happy Holiday”. The new songs inject a fresh style and sound into the holiday season while seamlessly fitting into any rotation of Christmas classics. Listen to “the quintessential Christmas love song on the album” titled “I Have Wanted You For Christmas” via Billboard.
Led by the incomparable vocals of Raul Malo, drummer Paul Deakin, guitarist Eddie Perez and keyboardist Jerry Dale McFadden, The Mavericks will embark on their 30th Anniversary in 2019, but not before establishing some new holiday music traditions. Hey! Merry Christmas! was produced by Niko Bolas and Raul Malo and features longtime auxiliary multi-instrumentalists The Fantastic Five — Max Abrams (sax), Julio Diaz (trumpet), Ed Friedland (bass), Michael Guerra (accordion/percussion) and Lorenzo Molina Ruiz (trumpet). From the rollicking opening tracks “Christmas Time Is Coming ‘Round” and “Santa Does” to the gorgeous, jazzy ballad “Christmas For Me Is You” to the sultry blues of “Santa Wants To Take You For A Ride” The Mavericks help redefine what the sounds of Christmas can be.
2017 was a pivotal year for the beloved band as they also redefined their business. After years on major labels, with great success, The Mavericks chose to go out on their own and founded their independent label Mono Mundo Recordings (read the Forbes Feature for more insight). That decision was validated when their first independent album, 2017’s critically acclaimed Brand New Day, received two Grammy Nominations (Best Americana Album and Best American Roots Song, “I Wish You Well”), as well as widespread critical acclaim from press including Associated Press, Entertainment Weekly, NPR Music, Noisey and more. View Highlights.
The Mavericks have been hailed as one of America’s most original and best live bands. Their music has no boundaries and their audience, more than ever, has no limitations regarding age, race or gender. What they create is something that is universal, accessible, and most important, unites us. After almost three decades, The Mavericks continue to be a relevant and vital musical force that is needed more now than ever. No better time to unite than during the holiday season.