Country music singer posts big update on his stage 4 cancer fight

Country music singer Raul Malo of the Mavericks has had a difficult fall, and year before that.

A month ago, Malo posted an update to the Mavericks’ Instagram account consisting of a video of him playing guitar along with an emotional message updating his fans on his health. “Things have taken a turn,” he wrote.

“I’ve developed something called LMD, which stands for ‘get this (expletive) out of my head,’” Malo wrote. “Treatment for this is radiation, which I will start tomorrow. We will probably jump into some chemo, and are even looking at alternative therapies. But it’s time to take your words to heart of resting and recovering, so that’s what I’m going to do.”

The message continued that all shows going forward would be canceled.

This week, the Mavericks and Malo’s family offered an update on his social media pages.

“Hey everyone, thanks so much for your prayers, concern, and outreach over the past few weeks,” was posted to the “Here Comes the Rain” singer’s Facebook page. “We truly appreciate everyone’s love and care for Raul and the Malo family in these times, along with the passion and desire to help with his condition.”

The post continued that for those wishing to send letters of support to Malo and his family should send them to:

Raul Malo

PO Box 331728

Nashville, TN 37203

The message also said that “official updates” on Malo’s health would come only from the Mavericks and Malo’s official verified social media channel or the official “Mavericks Fans Unite” fan group on Facebook.

Malo’s wife, Betty Malo, also recently posted a touching moment her husband and his mother shared at the piano.

Along with the video, posted to Instagram, Betty Malo wrote: “Yesterday marked Raul Malo’s last day of radiation — and he did it like the true champion he is! Once home, Raul went straight to the piano with his mom, just as they always do. They played, laughed and even shed a few tears. It was a moment of love, strength, and music — everything that defines him.”

LMD, also known as Leptomeningeal disease, is a condition where cancer cells spread to the meninges, which are the thin membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord, according to theUPMC Hillman Cancer Center. Patients with LMD typically don’t live past a year after diagnosis. However, some may live longer with aggressive treatment.

Malo, 60, has been publicly battling cancer since revealing his diagnosis in June 2024. He first underwent surgery to remove a tumor on his liver in late 2024 and returned to touring with The Mavericks in early 2025. Malo, however, was hospitalized only a short time after.

Malo has been actively updating fans on his cancer journey. Last month, he had to cancel performances in New Haven, Verona and Boston due to his condition.

“While Raul continues the long road to recovery, we hope you’ll still enjoy an incredible night of music with our great friends Dwight Yoakam and opener Philip Bowen,” a Sept. 11 post on Malo’s Instagram read. “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and deeply appreciate your continued support during this time. — The Mavericks”

Reporter David Cifarelli contributed to this article.