Crystal Wise
Pat Green
On the Fourth of July, floodwaters surged through the Texas Hill Country, swallowing campsites and cutting off roads in a matter of minutes. The Guadalupe River swelled beyond its banks, claiming at least 129 lives. Among the victims: John Green, his wife Julia, and their two young sons — the brother, sister-in-law, and nephews of Texas country artist Pat Green.
In the face of unthinkable grief, Green is responding the only way he knows how — by bringing people together.
This Wednesday, July 16, Green will host “Pat Green and Friends: Texas Flood Relief Livestream,” a non-ticketed concert broadcast live from Globe Life Field in Arlington. No audience will be in attendance, but a wide range of artists will take the stage or make appearances in a show streamed for free on YouTube and via the Givebutter platform. The livestream begins at 6:30 p.m. CT.
All proceeds from the event will go directly to families affected by the disaster.
The lineup, organized in partnership with the Texas Rangers and REV Entertainment, reflects the deep bench of talent willing to rally in a moment of crisis. Miranda Lambert, Jon Pardi, Dierks Bentley, Corey Kent, Casey Donahew, Josh Abbott, Eli Young Band, Joe Nichols, Kaitlin Butts, Ty Myers, Kevin Fowler, and Bob Schneider are among those confirmed to participate — with more names being added by the hour.
Over 170 people are still missing. Many of them were campers like Green’s family, who headed to the river for a holiday weekend and never returned. The search continues, even as communities across Central Texas begin the long process of mourning and rebuilding.
Green’s connection to Texas runs deep — not just in his roots, but in his sound. He got his start at Texas Tech in the early ’90s, playing beer-soaked gigs in Lubbock bars. With the help of producer Lloyd Maines, he recorded a series of independent albums, funded by loans from his parents. In 1997, Green’s stepfather fired him from his job as a fuel wholesaler, giving him, perhaps unintentionally, the push he needed to pursue music full time.
Momentum followed. Green landed a spot on Willie Nelson’s 1998 Fourth of July Picnic, and soon after, began packing venues across Texas. Even without a major label deal, he moved more than 250,000 albums and landed sponsorships from brands like Miller Lite.
By 2001, he signed with a major label and released “Three Days,” followed by “Wave on Wave” in 2003 — his biggest commercial success. The title track reached No. 3 on the country charts and became a staple of early-2000s Texas radio. Green’s following two albums, Lucky Ones and Cannonball, brought radio play and tour slots with acts like Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban.
By 2011, he had parted ways with the major-label system and returned to independent music. Songs like “Girls from Texas” and “While I Was Away” marked a return to form — storytelling steeped in place and lived experience. In 2015, “Home” debuted at No. 5 on the country album charts and featured collaborations with artists like Lyle Lovett and Sheryl Crow. His most recent album, “Miles and Miles of You,” arrived in 2022.
In a moment that’s tested the heart of the Hill Country, Green is standing tall.
The livestream is available at https://givebutter.com/X8we2r. There’s no cost to watch. Just a moment to witness, to give, and to honor the lives lost — not with silence, but with song.
