‘Robert Earl Keen & Friends: Applause For The Cause’ Raises $3 Million For The Texas Hill Country

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Pictured: Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country’s Austin Dickson, Buc-ee, Buc-ee owner Arch “Beaver” Aplin III and Robert Earl Keen gather together during ‘Robert Earl Keen & Friends Applause for the Cause Benefit’ at White Water Amphitheater in Canyon Lake, Texas. Photo: Erika Goldring

“Buc-ee’s Presents Robert Earl Keen & Friends: Applause For The Cause” on Aug. 28 was a raging success, raising three million dollars for the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country in the wake of the region’s devastating July 4 floods.

The star-studded benefit at Whitewater Amphitheater outside of New Braunfels saw a special set swap between Keen and Tyler Childers, a revisiting of The Marfa Tapes songs from Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall, and Jack Ingram, two touching tributes to Charlie Robison, and countless, whole-crowd sing-alongs. From the stage, Keen reiterated the charge he gave himself and everyone in his orbit since July 4: “Do as much as you can, for as long as you can.”

Cross Canadian Wagweed performs during ‘Robert Earl Keen & Friends Applause for the Cause Benefit’ at White Water Amphitheater. Photo: Erika Goldring

Financial services company Thrivent offered concertgoers a unique opportunity to write messages of gratitude for first responders and connected on-site directly with Texas Search and Rescue volunteers. Along with its clients, Thrivent has raised and donated nearly one million dollars to help support flood relief efforts in the region.

“Behind all the money collected and volunteer time on the ground, there is an immense sense of community and connection here,” says Thrivent Community Engagement Leader Amber Schraeder. “As the residents cried, we cried. As they prayed and hoped for recovery, we prayed and hoped with them. As the Hill Country recovers, we will be here to recover with them.”

Under the supervision of BetterUnite, Applause For The Cause raised 3 million dollars through ticket sales, merchandise purchases, a pre-party auction, and online donations throughout the live stream. For those who missed out on the live stream, Applause For The Cause can be re-watched on demand on Robert Earl Keen’s YouTube channel, merch can still be purchased here, and direct donations can still be made to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country here.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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