Miranda Lambert hosts all-star Texas flood benefit concert in Austin

An overwhelming sense of community defined “Band Together Texas,” a benefit concert at Moody Center on Sunday night that raised money for victims of the devastating July 4 flooding that tore through parts of Central Texas. The show was spearheaded by Miranda Lambert. Shortly after hearing about the disaster, the Longview-born singer recruited a roster of country music stars to come together for a huge fundraiser in support of ongoing flood relief efforts. Along with a stacked roster of music heavyweights, the night also featured Texas sports and silver screen royalty.

Every tier of Moody Center was filled to capacity, and for good reason. Every 20 minutes, a beloved Texas icon walked on stage — from actors Matthew McConaughey and Dennis Quaid to Longhorn football icons Colt McCoy and Mack Brown. Fans barely had time to breathe between the stacked lineup of country favorites, including Parker McCollum, Cody Johnson, Wade Bowen, Jack Ingram, Lyle Lovett and more.

On top of the thousands of in-person attendees, the benefit concert was also livestreamed online through iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, Facebook and YouTube. Fans were also able to listen live by tuning into iHeartRadio’s 150 country stations. Along with famous faces, the show included video testimonials from first responders and survivors who experienced the disaster firsthand.

While pop star Kelly Clarkson had to drop out of the lineup following the death of her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, from melanoma on Aug. 7, the benefit concert proved to be a heartfelt celebration of life for those impacted by the tragedy.

Here are five moments from “Band Together Texas” that embodied the spirit of Texas triumph.

Matthew McConaughey‘s Southern drawl ushered in the “Band Together Texas” benefit concert with a rousing speech on Texas resilience. Under the wide brim of a white cowboy hat, McConaughey said that our concern should not recede along with the floodwater.

“Know that your presence is a powerful reminder of the strength that it takes to keep moving forward in the face of unimaginable loss,” McConaughey said. “Look, I know that giving thanks at a time like this may seem inappropriate on the surface, but not only is this a reminder of how the best of us show up in the worst of times, to so many, this giving of gratitude is the only thing that will begin the healing process.”

McConaughey closed out his opening address with a reminder to “revive,” noting that even in the hardest times it is crucial to believe in the power of joy.

“While we honor the heavy truths that brought us here, we’ll also celebrate the light that must continue to shine because we don’t chase darkness with darkness, do we? No, we chase it with light,” McConaughey said. “And in the end, the light’s gotta win. The light’s gotta win.”

“When we stand by and support one another, that is how we heal.”

First to the stage were the two artists who made “Band Together Texas” possible. Miranda Lambert’s sweet soprano twang proved a perfect harmony to Parker McCollum’s rich undertones. The music kicked off with McCollum taking the lead on a cover of George Strait’s song “True.” 

Beneath a cowboy hat, Lambert’s long blonde hair swayed in time with the turquoise tassels on her jean top as she sang “Bluebird” from her 2019 album “Wildcard.” She poured even more soul into “The House That Built Me,” a 2010 hit about how memories of home can heal the soul. Her melancholy vocals dripped with empathy for those who lost their homes in the recent devastation.

Next to the stage was Wade Bowen who, partway through his sentimental serenade “A Beautiful World,” commanded the crowd to raise their phones into the air. Twinkling sparkles immediately lit up the auditorium like a bed of stars. The Waco native picked up the tempo for “Nothin’ But Texas” off his most recent album, “Flyin,” that came out in 2024.

After video interludes from flood victims sharing testimonials of survival and recovery, Lyle Lovett came onstage. Lovett’s mournful guitar strumming for his 2007 ballad “Don’t Cry a Tear” featured evocative accompaniment by Austin musicians James Harrah on guitar and Warren Hood on fiddle. The trio then played “South Texas Girl.” Then the evening’s parade of Texas celebrities pivoted to Longhorn football royalty when ex-quarterback Vince Young and distinguished former head coach Mack Brown introduced the next performer, Lukas Nelson.

In a surprise appearance, Lukas Nelson was joined onstage by San Antonio-born country music hit maker Pat Green, who lost family in the floods. The two honored country legend Ernest Tubb with a cover of “Waltz Across Texas,” the familiar tune eliciting goosebumps. Next was “Just Outside of Austin,” a song about our hometown that Nelson recorded with Promise of the Real in 2010 that recalls Simon & Garfunkel’s 1966 folk classic “Homeward Bound.” 

After McCollum, Jack Ingram and Jon Randall finished their respective sets, Austin jewelry mogul Kendra Scott hopped on the mic. She was joined by Razor Dobbs, the public information officer for the Center Point Volunteer Fire Department, and Center Point Fire Chief Charles Holt who highlighted the bravery of rescuers who risked everything to save lives in the floods. Scott then introduced Randy Rogers to the stage, who pulled out his 2008 hit “In My Arms Instead.”

The benefit concert came into its final stretch with Ryan Bingham, who captured the attention of an entire arena with just a harmonica and guitar. Surprise guest Jason Aldean garnered the loudest and most enthusiastic applause of the night. Alden had played his own show at Moody Center the previous night and stayed an extra day to lend his road crew for “Band Together Texas.” Much of the crowd stood up and danced along to Aldean’s 2009 smash hit “She’s Country.”

At the end of the night, all of the performers joined McConaughey onstage after his closing address for a collective performance of Willie Nelson’s 1980 classic “On the Road Again.” 

The heartfelt benefit concert proved a powerful reminder of the impact Texans can make when they come together for a cause.