Miranda Lambert & Parker McCollum Raise Over $8.5 Million For Central Texas Flood Relief

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

Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum and a host of notable Texas artists, actors and athletes rallied together for the “Band Together Texas” benefit at the Moody Center in Austin on Sunday night, (Aug. 17) raising over $8.5 million for The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country and Central Texas Community Foundation.

The concert to honor the lives lost in the Central Texas floods and celebrate the everyday heroes and first responders who saved countless others was a sold-out affair, spanning nearly three hours and livestreaming 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 the show 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.”

Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum backstage at the Moody Center. Photo: Bralyn Kelly Smith

Lambert kicked off the music with a duet with McCollum on the George Strait classic “True,” then she performed “Bluebird” and “The House That Built Me,” before introducing friend 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.

“I’d like to give a shout out to Miranda Lambert, she’s the whole reason all of this is going on,” McCollum said 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.”

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; TV 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.

Jason Aldean, who performed at the Moody Center on Saturday, (Aug. 16) extended his stay to join 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.”

“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,”  Ronnie Dunn said before offering up a show-stopping performance of “I Believe” with The Levites Music Group choir.

After Cody Johnson’s performance of his No. 1s “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 singalong of “On The Road Again” to wrap the night.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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