• Raul Malo & Seth Walker
• 10:00pm

Raul Malo is an eclectic and commanding musician whose powerful voice and gifted writing has seen him create a intensely loyal following from his time with the seminal Mavericks and beyond. His newest release "Lucky One", is his first album of original material in seven years, and it is evident that Malo has shed his musical shackles.

“I have been fighting my whole life against people who want to pigeonhole music. We fought that in the Mavericks. I feel like I’ve got no restrictions anymore,” the Grammy winner says. “I’m not really writing for any specific genre. I feel like I can do whatever I want.”

Clearly, followers of Malo’s eclectic career — both with the Mavericks and after — know he’s always chafed at placing any confines on music. Or, as he laughingly confesses, “If most people do what I’ve done in my career, they’d be driving a taxi by now.”

However, a talent as mighty as Malo’s simply can’t be denied. His glorious voice has been rapturously described by The New York Times as “exceptional” and The Wall Street Journal as “exquisite.” Its crystal purity is simply unmatched by any other singer’s today. And a voice like his deserves a loving, sturdy melody to wrap itself around. Although completely contemporary, the music on "Lucky One" recalls the great tunes of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s, made famous by Malo’s musical heroes like Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Merle Haggard and Buck Owens.

The songs on his Fantasy Records debut range from the silly to the sublime, by Malo’s own design, and draw on his deep love of country, rock, jazz and Latin music. “Moonlight Kisses” features a playful male chorus and a snazzy tuba (!!), while songs such as “One More Angel” and “Rosalie” take on gut wrenching loss of life.

Malo wrote "Lucky One" over a two-year period at his Nashville home and was so happy with the result that several of his home demos appear as final versions on the CD. For the rest, he enlisted co-producer Steve Berlin, best known for his work with Los Lobos. "I trust Steve musically,” Malo says. “Art comes first with him. That’s the most important quality of all; nothing gets in the way of that.”

After close to 20 years of making music, Malo is having more fun than ever. “I get to play exactly what I want. I have a great band. I have great fans,” he says. “It’s really fantastic. And the creative freedom I have now, I wouldn’t trade that for the world.” The liberation that true talent and vision bring has led to the ultimate freedom so lovingly evident on Lucky One: “I know that at the end of the day I can go somewhere with my guitar and someone will come see me.”

ABOUT SETH WALKER

The driving delivery and infectious down-home style of Seth Walker’s voice and songs resonate with Blues and Roots music. Although he is heavily influenced by guitar players--B.B. King, T-Bone Walker and Snooks Eaglin to name just a few, Seth also has a great gift for songwriting in the blues idiom. “These songs sound like classics-- matter of fact, they are!” says Chris Tomlin, Gold Record recording artist.

Growing up in rural North Carolina surrounded by a musical, artistic family has lent itself to Seth’s natural ability to entertain audiences with his music and the ease with which he performs. W.C. Clark, considered The Godfather of Austin’s blues scene, is featured on Seth’s second album Meet Me in the Middle and believes the music is in his blood. “Seth is from a long line of great players and singers. He’s rich with soul, a tasteful player and a warrior in the field.”

Seth has honed his skills for the last ten years in Austin, TX, playing among the best blues musicians in the world. Having shared the stage with icons such as Ray Charles, B.B. King and Jimmie Vaughan, Walker has established himself in the music world as a unique and compelling performer. His eclectic blend of outstanding guitar talent and rootsy, soul filled vocals will thrill any music fan.Seth impressed Taj Mahal when he opened up for the blues legend in 2005. “He’s playing some hip music, with changes and soul,” he commented. “A little, white Ray Charles!”