Clearwater residents will see a special musical reunion on Sept. 12 when The Mavericks & Friends take the stage at Ruth Eckerd Hall. The tour, organized by co‑founder drummer Paul Deakin, honors the late Raul Malo and marks the return of founding member Robert Reynolds, who has been clean and sober for several years.
Reynolds’ comeback
Robert Reynolds vanished from the public eye after being dismissed from the Mavericks in 2014 due to a severe opioid addiction. He spent a decade in a small Indiana town, restoring a house, painting, and living a low‑key life. After achieving sobriety, Reynolds rediscovered his musical spark, forming a local band and performing modestly.
“Addiction becomes a full‑time job,” Reynolds said in a recent interview. “I wanted to be on the survivors list.” His renewed focus led to a reconnection with Paul Deakin, who reached out after Reynolds’ brother passed away. The two quickly rebuilt their friendship, and Deakin later invited Reynolds to join the tribute tour.
Tribute to Raul Malo
The Mavericks lost their charismatic lead singer Raul Malo to intestinal cancer in December 2023. Deakin’s “The Music Lives On” tour celebrates Malo’s legacy with a rotating lineup of guest vocalists, including James Otto and Emily West, who will share Malo’s most beloved songs.
Reynolds will appear on every show, contributing acoustic guitar and bass on early‑era Mavericks tracks. He emphasized that he is no longer the “young rock ’n’ roll guy” of his past, but a dedicated family man with a part‑time job as a music instructor at a local charter school.
Local impact
The concert provides a cultural boost for Clearwater, drawing fans of the Grammy‑winning country‑rock band and supporting the city’s vibrant arts scene. Tickets are available now, and the tour is slated as a two‑year project, promising additional performances in the region.
Community members who have followed Reynolds’ journey see his return as a testament to personal redemption and the power of music to heal. As he put it, “I’ll stay as long as they’ll have me, because I’ve found a way to balance my personal needs and still serve the music I love.”
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
