A few weeks ago, Robert Earl Keen was supposed to be retired — boots up, guitar down, and nowhere in particular to be. But when floodwaters tore through his hometown of Kerrville over the Fourth of July, everything changed.
Now, he’s coming out of retirement for “Applause for the Cause,” a one-night-only benefit concert at Whitewater Amphitheater in New Braunfels on August 28, starting at 3 p.m. Dozens of Texas and Americana artists — including Tyler Childers, Miranda Lambert, Cody Jinks, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and Ryan Bingham — are joining him to raise money for the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, which is helping families rebuild after the disaster.
“This is a star-studded lineup with music starting in the mid-afternoon and lasting far into the night,” Keen said in a press release. “We must help everyone as much as we can, for as long as we can.”
The damage across Kerr County and surrounding areas was severe — entire homes were swept away, and lives were lost. In the wake of the disaster, musicians across Texas stepped up to help.
Josh Weathers raised over $400,000 in a livestream. Pat Green — who lost several family members in the flooding — hosted a benefit concert at Globe Life Field in Arlington on July 16, raising more than $1 million.
“I’m trying to turn the sorrow into some bright light,” Green told Fox 4 News. “We all look after each other in this big place.”
Kat Hasty and Rich O’Toole raised $75,000 for relief efforts in San Angelo. Galleywinter reimagined its annual River Jam as a flood fundraiser. George Strait has a separate initiative in the works. But Keen’s event promises to be the most ambitious yet — a full day of music, community, and no shortage of Hill Country pride.
Buc-ee’s has signed on as title sponsor with a $1 million donation already pledged.
“The tragedies are beyond belief,” said Buc-ee’s founder Beaver Aplin. “Buc-ee’s teaming with Robert Earl Keen and friends for this benefit concert just seemed like the right thing to do. When we learned 100 percent of our commitment goes to the Community Foundation of the Hill Country, we were all in.”
Tickets go on sale Friday, July 18 at noon at whitewaterrocks.com. Reserved seats are $200, general admission is $99, and attendees will have the option to purchase a ticket for a first responder in the affected communities.
“I can’t just sit back and watch when my hometown is hurting,” Keen said. “This is where I’m from. This is who I am.”
The Applause for the Cause Lineup Includes:
- Robert Earl Keen
- Tyler Childers
- Miranda Lambert
- Jon Randall
- Jack Ingram
- Cody Jinks
- Hayes Carll
- Aaron Watson
- Jamey Johnson
- Cleto Cordero
- Catie Offerman
- Jamestown Revival
- Jason Boland
- Josh Abbott
- Kazimi
- Kelsey Waldon
- Kolton Moore
- Pug Johnson
- Radney Foster
- Randy Rogers
- Ray Wylie Hubbard
- Ryan Bingham
- Sarah Jarosz
- Terry Allen
- Vincent Neil Emerson
- William Clark Green
- Josh Weathers
- Kyle Park
- Rob Baird
- The Texas Trio
