Betty Malo sues Mavericks members over band name and Raul Malo’s unreleased material

Betty Malo, the widow of Mavericks frontman Raul Malo, filed a lawsuit November 11, 2026, challenging three band members’ use of the group’s name. The Tennessean identifies the court as Davidson County Chancery Court in Nashville. Billboard, which says it obtained the complaint, names drummer Paul Deakin, keyboardist Jerry Dale McFadden and guitarist Eddie Perez as defendants. Raul died December 8, 2025, at age 60.

According to the complaint quoted by Billboard, the band’s operating agreement required Raul to remain a member of Mavericks LLC for the group to use The Mavericks name, unless Betty consented. The lawsuit describes Betty as the personal representative of Raul’s estate and a holder of 35% of the LLC’s financial rights. She alleges that she did not authorize the continued use of the name following her husband’s death.

The members dispute her interpretation of their authority. Billboard reports that their attorneys say an amendment adopted after Raul’s death removed the agreement’s restrictive language and permits them to perform under the name. Betty argues that the amendment is invalid and that the members lacked authority to make it. Taste of Country, citing The Tennessean’s account, reports her allegation that they changed the agreement in April without notifying her. Those competing positions remain allegations and arguments, rather than established court findings.

Betty is asking a judge to declare that the members have no right to use The Mavericks name, according to Billboard. She also seeks royalty statements and the return of unreleased materials or photographs using Raul’s name, image, likeness or voice. Taste of Country reports that she requests financial documents and compensatory damages. Its account gives no dollar amount. Neither November 13 report identifies a ruling granting those requests.

The band’s official website describes its guest-singer concerts as The Mavericks & Friends, presenting songs from across its catalog. The members say the project honors Raul while continuing the musical legacy he helped create. That statement explains their artistic approach; their reported legal defense concerns the amended operating agreement. Billboard said representatives for the surviving members had not answered its requests for comment on the lawsuit by November 13.

Sources: The Tennessean; Billboard; Taste of Country; Associated Press; The Mavericks.