‘Band Together Texas’ Rallies Over $8.5 Million in Funds for Central Texas Flood Relief

Notable Texas artists, actors and athletes joined Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas Sunday night for their “Band Together Texas” benefit concert, honoring the lives lost in the Central Texas floods, and celebrating the every day heroes and first responders who saved countless others. The event, which benefitted The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country and Central Texas Community Foundation, raised over $8.5 million and counting.
 
The sold-out evening spanned nearly three hours and was livestreamed via iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, YouTube, Facebook and nugs.net, with a call to action directing fans to donate to continued relief efforts. 
 
Actor Matthew McConaughey opened with a monologue underscoring the importance of the event: “The devastating floods that took so many lives, businesses and homes last month broke a lot of hearts. As that day gets further away into the distance of our rearview mirror, it’s only natural that our concern and attention recede just like those flood waters—but we must remember, for the families who suffered, they are just beginning the lengthy journey to rebuild their lives.
 
​​"Tonight is about restoration… we are here to revive--Because even in the hardest times, we have to believe in the power of joy. So while we honor the heavy truths that brought us here, we will also celebrate the light that must continue to shine.”
 
“Thank you Austin, Texas for showing up tonight. Thank you, everybody, for tuning in and showing up for us. We are banding together as Texans tonight,” Lambert addressed the audience following her duet with McCollum on the George Strait classic, “True,” marking the first live performance of the evening. “It’s going to be a magical night of music, and for an amazing cause. My buddy Parker and I, we called each other right away and we asked, ‘What can we do? We can sing, so let’s go sing.’ And that’s what we’re doing tonight!”
 
Following Lambert’s performance of “Bluebird” and “The House That Built Me,” she introduced her friend, Red Dirt singer Wade Bowen, for a touching in memoriam honoring victims lost in last month’s floods. As Bowen sang an acoustic rendition of “A Beautiful World,” names, images and videos of flood victims flashed across the screen as the crowd remained silent, in a powerful moment that could be felt by viewers at home and in the arena alike. 
 
“I’d like to give a shout out to Miranda Lambert, she’s the whole reason all of this is going on,” McCollum shared as he took the stage to perform “Solid Gold Country” and “Handle On You.” “She texted me right away and asked, ‘What can we do?’ I said, ‘I’ll do anything I could ever possibly do to help these people.’ So, good on all of y’all for being here on a Sunday night. I’ve never been more proud to be born and raised in the great state of Texas than I am tonight.”

The full lineup of Texas talent joins together on-stage at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas on Sunday night, Aug. 17, for a triumphant final sing along of “On The Road Again” | Photo Credit: Jeff Johnson

Between the 29 songs played throughout the night, actor Dennis Quaid; former UT Longhorns coach Mack Brown and players Emmanuel Acho, Colt McCoy and Vince Young; MLB star and Houston native Roger Clemens; television host and Dallas native Chris Harrison; and Austin-based fashion designer Kendra Scott took pause to reflect on moments of remembrance, bravery and resiliency in the Hill Country.
 
Acho, who spoke with camp counselors from Camp Mystic on a recent episode of Uncomfortable Conversations with Emmanuel Achobrought 19-year-old counselor Ainslie Bashara on-stage in a touching moment celebrating her heroic actions which saved 16 lives.
 
Honoring first responders, Scott paid tribute to public information officer for the Center Point Volunteer Fire Department, Razor Dobbs, and the Fire Chief, Charles Holt; while Harrison acknowledged the Texas Game Wardens in attendance. 
 
Reigning ACM Artist of the Decade Jason Aldean, who performed at the Moody Center on Saturday, Aug. 16, extended his stay, joining as a surprise guest after generously donating his stage and production crew. Taking the stage with an uptempo performance of “She’s Country,” Aldean then welcomed Lambert on-stage for a duet of “Amarillo Sky.”
 
“Thank you guys so much. Yeah, I had to stay an extra day here in Austin, I can’t think of a better cause to be here for than this,” Aldean shared. “Huge thank you to Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum for doing this tonight.”
 
“Jason was here last night, as you already know, but he left all of his stuff for us to use, and stayed an extra day to sing a song for us, so you’re an honorary Texan tonight, friend,” Lambert added.
 
Later, Brooks & Dunn’s Ronnie Dunn let music speak where words failed. “I tried to come up with something to say earlier. It was profound, it would do what it needs to do, but I don’t think there’s a song on Earth – no words, no rhyme, no reason – that can heal the pain, the suffering, the sorrow brought on by what’s happened here. So, I’m just going to share a story with you,” he concluded, before delving into his show-stopping performance of faith-based “I Believe” with The Levites Music Group, a choir comprised of members Shedrach Rowry Jonathan Davis, Kevin Overton-Hadnot, De’Juana Shaw, Kraven Rowry and Agnes Henry.
 
After Cody Johnson’s performance of his No. 1 hits “Dirt Cheap” and “Til You Can’t” – as well as a cover of “How Great Thou Art” –  the all-star roster of Texas talent including Lambert and McCollum, Ryan Bingham, Wade Bowen, Ronnie Dunn, Dylan Gossett, Jack Ingram, Johnson, Lyle Lovett, Lukas Nelson, Jon Randall and Randy Rogers joined together on-stage for a triumphant final sing along of “On The Road Again.”
 
Band Together Texas was made possible with the generous support of partners including WoodNext Foundation, Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, John Paul & Eloise DeJoria Family Foundation, Woodforest National Bank, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Four Seasons Hotel Austin, H-E-B, Kendra Scott, Moody Center, Poncho, Tecovas, Uber and Whataburger.

Miranda Lambert & Parker McCollum Announce Livestreams for “Band Together Texas” Flood Relief Benefit Concert

Band Together Texas, the star-studded benefit concert spearheaded by Texas natives Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum, will now deliver the show’s powerful message and all-star lineup to fans unable to join in person via livestreams across iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, YouTube, Facebook and nugs.net. Set for Sunday, August 17 at Moody Center in Austin, the event supports Central Texas flood recovery efforts with proceeds benefiting The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country and Central Texas Community Foundation
 
The full show will be available to listen to live on all 150 iHeartRadio country stations as well as SiriusXM’s The Highway and Outlaw Country channels, while fans can also tune in to a video livestream on YouTube via Lambert and McCollum’s official channels, on Facebook via Lambert and McCollum’s pages and on nugs.net. At-home streaming is made possible through the support of H-E-B, bringing the event to audiences across Texas and beyond.
 
Band Together Texas will feature performances from an all-star roster of Texas talent in addition to Lambert and McCollum – including Ryan Bingham, Wade Bowen, Ronnie Dunn, Dylan Gossett, Jack Ingram, Cody Johnson, Lyle Lovett, Lukas Nelson, Jon Randall and Randy Rogers Band. 
 
In addition to the musical performances, notable Texans lending their support to the event include actors Matthew McConaughey and Dennis Quaid; former UT Longhorns coach Mack Brown and players Emmanuel Acho, Colt McCoy and Vince Young; MLB star and Houston native Roger Clemens; television host and Dallas native Chris Harrison; and Austin-based fashion designer Kendra Scott. 
 
The evening will also feature tributes to first responders and flood victims, including stories of rescue and resilience.
 
Band Together Texas is made possible with the generous support of partners including WoodNext Foundation, Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, JP’s Peace, Love & Happiness Foundation, Woodforest National Bank, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Four Seasons Hotel Austin, H-E-B, Kendra Scott, Moody Center, Poncho, Tecovas, Uber and Whataburger.

Miranda Lambert & Parker McCollum Announce “Band Together Texas,” A Benefit Concert for Central Texas Flood Aid

Texas natives Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum present Band Together Texas, a star-studded benefit concert on Sunday, August 17 at Moody Center in Austin, benefiting The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, the leading charity behind the ongoing flood relief efforts, and Central Texas Community Foundation
 
The July 4 flooding was one of the deadliest natural disasters in Texas history, claiming the lives of more than 130 adults and children. As of today, over 100 individuals remain missing. Entire communities were inundated, homes and livelihoods were swept away, and families are still reeling from the devastation. Band Together Texas aims to rally critical support for flood-impacted communities and their ongoing needs as they recover and rebuild.

“One of the things I love about both our artist community and our community in Texas is that we show up for one another, especially in times of such great need like folks in my home state are facing after the flood,” shares Lambert. “There is so much devastation and loss, yet what’s given me hope are the stories of those that have come to the aid of so many. That’s what we want to do with Band Together: Texans helping Texas. We hope it is a night that helps with healing while raising awareness and funds for The Community Foundation of Texas Hill Country and the Central Texas Community Foundation.”
 
Band Together Texas will feature performances from an all-star roster of Texas talent in addition to Lambert and McCollum – including Ryan Bingham, Wade Bowen, Kelly Clarkson, Ronnie Dunn, Dylan Gossett, Jack Ingram, Cody Johnson, Lyle Lovett, Lukas Nelson, Jon Randall and Randy Rogers Band. 
 
In addition to the musical performances, notable Texans lending their support to the event include actors Matthew McConaughey and Dennis Quaid, former UT Longhorns coach Mack Brown and players Emmanual Acho, Colt McCoy and Vince Young, MLB star and Houston native Roger Clemens plus television host and Dallas native Chris Harrison, with more to be announced. 
 
The evening will also feature tributes to first responders and flood victims, including stories of rescue and resilience shared on stage by emergency personnel. 
 
“The flooding in the Hill Country of Texas is truly heartbreaking,” adds McCollum. “This place and these people are my community. There is a long road ahead rebuilding and even though so many families are facing the unimaginable, we’re Texas strong. Miranda is inspiring in both her music and how big her heart is, and I’m honored to be joining her for this benefit concert to support our fellow Texans and share a night of healing through music.”
 
Band Together Texas proceeds benefit The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, a Kerrville-based 501(c)(3) public charity that supports both urgent relief and long-term rebuilding following the floods, and Central Texas Community Foundation
 
Tickets for Band Together Texas at Moody Center will first be made available via presale registration open now through Monday, July 21 at 5 p.m. CT at bandtogethertexas.com. Presale passwords will be issued Tuesday, July 22 via registered email. Presale starts Wednesday, July 23 at 10 a.m. CT. Any remaining tickets will be available at general on sale beginning Friday, July 25 at 10 a.m. CT.
 
Band Together Texas is made possible with the generous support of partners including H-E-B, Kendra Scott, Poncho Outdoors, Tecovas and Whataburger. 
 
Stay tuned for additional announcements. To learn more about Band Together Texas, please visit bandtogethertexas.com.