Raul Malo, the one-of-a-kind frontman for the Latin-country-rock band The Mavericks, died on Monday following a battle with cancer, his family announced. Malo was 60.

Ralo's wife Betty Malo shared the news of his death on Instagram.

• "No one embodied life and love, joy and passion, family, friends, music, and adventure the way our beloved Raul did," she wrote. "Now he will look down on us with all that heaven will allow, lighting the way and reminding us to savor every moment."

"Genre-bending" is music jargon commonly used to describe countless artists, but the term completely defined Malo's music. When they arrived on the scene from Miami in the early 1990s, there had never been a band like The Mavericks, because no band had dared to combine rock, country and Latin music into a singular cacophony of sound before.

• We all know a Mavericks song when we hear one, particularly because Malo's booming voice is unmistakable. One part rockabilly in the mold of Jerry Lee Lewis, one part Latin crooner reminiscent of Julio Iglesias.

Flashback: The Mavericks took Nashville by storm in the 1990s, inspiring a generation of songwriters and performers, and yet their sound has never been duplicated.

• After a hiatus in the early 2000s, they returned with a run of critically acclaimed albums beginning with "In Time" in 2013.

On a night of magical performances at the 2021 Americana Music Awards, The Mavericks brought the house down with their rocking performance of "La Sitiera," which Malo sang in Spanish.

• The band was honored at the ceremony with the Americana Trailblazer Award.
• Malo had swag on stage, but he was also beloved behind the scenes by music industry professionals for his warmth and kindness.

What he's saying: "Raul Malo is a true artist," Jed Hilly, executive director of the Americana Music Association, tells Axios. "Yes he had a great voice. Yes, his band was as good a live band as there is on the planet! And who the f**k has the balls to close a show solo singing 'La Vie En Rose.'"

• Hilly says he had breakfast with Malo a few months back and the two mainly talked about life, not just music. "He really is an extraordinary human. He made me stronger."

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Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, whose collegiate career was extended thanks to a landmark legal challenge, was one of four players named as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, given to college football's best player.

Why it matters: Pavia only played two seasons for the Commodores, but he's cemented himself as one of the best players in program history. He's the first Vandy player to be named a Heisman finalist.

By the numbers: Pavia threw 27 touchdowns and rushed for nine more to lead the Commodores to a 10-2 record.

State of play: In addition to Pavia, the other finalists are Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin.

• Mendoza, who led Indiana to the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff, is viewed as the favorite.

Flashback: Before arriving at Vanderbilt, Pavia played two seasons at the junior college New Mexico Military Institute and two seasons at New Mexico State.

• Combined with his first season at Vanderbilt, Pavia's college eligibility appeared to be complete after last year. But, Pavia filed a federal lawsuit challenging the NCAA rules that count junior college seasons toward an athlete's eligibility.
• He was granted a preliminary injunction, which paved the way for his magical season.

What's next: The winner will be announced at a ceremony Saturday night. It will air at 6pm on ABC.

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📖 The Green Hills library will be closed for a renovation beginning Jan. 4.

🏗️ An exclusive Belle Meade condo development is opening after a nearly 20-year wait. (Nashville Business Journal, subscription)

🚜 Gov. Bill Lee applauded the Trump administration's announcement of $12 billion in federal assistance for farmers. (Tennessee Lookout)

USPS Operation Santa is on track to deliver more gifts this year, but organizers say many wishes still need to be granted.

Why it matters: Even Santa needs help sometimes.

What we're hearing: "​​We receive far more letters than those adopted," USPS' Jonathan Castillo told Axios.

• "Our biggest need right now is more adopters to help fulfill all the wishes we continue to receive. For those able and willing, adopting a family letter is the best way to share the magic of the holidays with an entire household all at once."

How it works: People visit the Operation Santa website to create an account and read letters from children of all ages across the country. Verified users "adopt" letters and send requested gifts by a deadline to ensure they receive packages by Christmas Day.

• New this year is an expanded online gift catalog powered by Toys R Us. Through the Santa's Gift Shoppe feature, adopters can select and ship gifts directly to the recipient.

State of play: California, Texas and Florida have adopted the most letters so far this year, according to December data from USPS.

You've still got time: Dec. 13 is the last day to adopt letters and ship gifts.