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Led by singer-songwriter Raul Malo (born Aug. 7, 1965, in Miami), the Mavericks were formed in Florida in the late '80s. Malo, whose Cuban heritage also informs the band's musical mix of country and rock 'n' roll, had played in several different
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bands in high school, as did bassist Robert Reynolds (born April 30, 1962, in Kansas City, Mo.). The pair met at school and discovered they had similar musical tastes -- they both enjoyed the music of Roy Orbison, Patsy Cline, Elvis Presley, Hank Williams and Johnny Cash -- and decided to form a band. Reynolds persuaded his best friend, Paul Deakin (born Sept. 2, 1959, in Miami) -- a drummer in other progressive rock bands who had done some session work -- to join the fledgling country band.
The Mavericks chose to play Miami's rock clubs because the country bars only wanted to book bands that played covers, and the band preferred to concentrate on original material. In the fall of 1990, they released an eponymous independent album, which worked its way onto playlists across Florida and made its way to Nashville, where it gained the attention of nearly every major record label.
In 1991, the group played a showcase gig in Nashville and scouts from all of the town's major labels were in attendance, but the band signed with MCA Records. Later that year, the Mavericks recorded their first major-label album. Before the sessions began, they added lead guitarist David Lee Holt, who had played with Joe Ely, Rosie Flores and Carlene Carter. Titled From Hell to Paradise, the record primarily consisted of Malo's original songs and was released in 1992. Although it was critically acclaimed, the album wasn't a commercial success.
The Mavericks' fortunes turned with 1994's What a Crying Shame. Produced by Don Cook, the album was more streamlined and focused. Shortly after its release, the group replaced Holt with Nick Kane. Throughout 1994, the band racked up hits such as the title track, "O What a Thrill" and "There Goes My Heart." By the spring of 1995, What a Crying Shame had gone platinum.
Music for All Occasions appeared in 1995, including the hit "All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down," which featured Flaco Jiminez. Trampoline followed in 1998, and the single "Dance the Night Away" emerged as a huge hit in the U.K. However, the Mavericks disbanded shortly after a greatest hits album in 1999. In the ensuing years, Malo released a solo album and produced albums for K.T. Oslin and Rick Trevino, while Reynolds joined an alt.country band called Swag. However, the Mavericks reunited -- with Eddie Perez replacing Nick Kane -- for 2003's self-titled release on Sanctuary Records.
