Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum Help Raise $8.5 Million for Central Texas Flood Relief at ‘Band Together Texas’ Benefit
By Website Content Manager
The benefit concert, which lasted close to three hours, was streamed live on several platforms.
A star-studded lineup of artists, athletes, and actors joined country favorites Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum on Sunday night (Aug. 17) for Band Together Texas at Austin’s Moody Center. The benefit honored victims of the devastating Central Texas floods while spotlighting first responders and everyday heroes who saved countless lives. Proceeds from the event support The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country and the Central Texas Community Foundation, with more than $8.5 million already raised — and donations continuing to grow.
The sold-out concert ran nearly three hours and was streamed live on iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, YouTube, Facebook, and nugs.net, giving fans everywhere a chance to take part in the relief efforts.
Matthew McConaughey opened the evening with a heartfelt monologue, reminding attendees not to let the tragedy fade from memory. “The devastating floods that took so many lives, businesses and homes last month broke a lot of hearts,” he said. “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.”
Lambert and McCollum kicked things off with a rendition of George Strait’s True. “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 told the crowd. “It’s going to be a magical night of music, and for an amazing cause.”
The pair welcomed an impressive list of performers, including Wade Bowen, Dylan Gossett, Jack Ingram, Ronnie Dunn, Lukas Nelson, and Pat Green. Notable appearances also came from actor Dennis Quaid, former UT coach Mack Brown and Longhorns greats Emmanuel Acho, Colt McCoy, and Vince Young, as well as MLB legend Roger Clemens, TV host Chris Harrison, and designer Kendra Scott — each honoring stories of courage and resilience from the Hill Country.
From the stage, McCollum praised his co-host: “I’d like to give a shout out to Miranda Lambert, she’s the whole reason all of this is going on. 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 night also shined a spotlight on first responders, with Kendra Scott honoring Center Point Volunteer Fire Department’s Razor Dobbs and Fire Chief Charles Holt, while Chris Harrison recognized Texas Game Wardens in attendance.
A surprise highlight came when Jason Aldean, who had performed at the Moody Center the night before, returned to donate his stage and crew. He joined Lambert onstage for She’s Country and a duet of Amarillo Sky. “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 said. Lambert responded by calling him an “honorary Texan” for his generosity.
The evening closed with an all-hands performance of Willie Nelson’s On The Road Again, sending the audience home on a note of unity and hope.