Lyle Lovett, Michael Martin Murphey to Headline Texas Flood Benefit Concert

Texas country music heavyweights Lyle Lovett and Michael Martin Murphey are joining forces for a special concert benefiting recovery efforts in the Hill Country and greater Central Texas following the July 4 floods.

“Song in the Storm: Heart of Texas Flood Benefit” will feature Lovett and Murphey, joined by special guests Andy Hedges and Jimmie Vaughan, at the Paramount Theatre on Aug. 12. Proceeds will support the Central Texas Flood Recovery Fund.

Murphey “went for people that have deep roots in Texas” as he put the show together, he told the Statesman Thursday. “I’ve just been so connected to Kerrville professionally ever since I was in high school.”

Murphey has deep ties to Kerrville Folk Festival. He played the inaugural event and has been a regular presence at the fest. He was also good friends with the festival's late founder Rod Kennedy. Kennedy helped Murphey promote his earliest “Cowboy Christmas” shows in Kerrville and Amarillo.

Murphey told the Statesman that he’s always had a heart for community service. His organization, Murphey Western Institute has supported recovery efforts for communities affected by natural disasters across the United States. Last year, Murphey and Lovett headlined the “Rangeland Fire Relief Benefit Dinner and Concert” for victims of wildfires that devastated the Texas Panhandle in February 2024. Kerrville Folk Festival, Murphey Western Institute and The Mitchell Foundation are all sponsors of the event.

“My inspiration is the courage of those (Camp Mystic) camp counselors and those girls who kept their calm and got out, knowing that some of their sisters didn’t,” Murphey said. “That was my emotional connection.”

Tickets to “Song in the Storm” are on sale now at austintheater.org.

Robert Earl Keen and George Strait to host flood benefit concerts

“Song in the Storm” arrives shortly after two other Texas country music stars, Robert Earl Keen and George Strait, announced plans for their own benefit concerts for communities affected by the July 4 floods.

“Robert Earl Keen and Friends: Applause for the Cause” will take place at the Whitewater Amphitheater in New Braunfels on Aug. 28 and feature performances by Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall, Jack Ingram, Randy Rogers, Terry Allen, Ray Wylie Hubbard and more, with all proceeds from ticket sales donated to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country.

Geroge Strait’s “Strait To The Heart” is a private dinner and concert limited to 1,000 guests that will take place in Boerne on July 27 with performances by Jamey Johnson, William Beckman, Ray Benson, Hudson Westbrook and more. Donations from his event will go to Vaqueros del Mar Texas Flood Relief Fund before being distributed directly to families affected by the floods.

More Austin Music Flood Benefits

July 25: “Together for Texas” benefit concert at the Far Out Lounge. Info: tickettailor.com

July 27: “Pickin’ for a Cause” featuring Strawberry Flats at Radio/East. Info: dice.fm

Aug. 1: "CenTex Strong Flood Relief Benefit Concert" at Come and Take It Live. Info: etix.com

Aug. 2: “Flood Relief Show” featuring DAIISTAR at Mohawk. Info: mohawkaustin.com

Aug. 3: “After the Flood” Benefit Concert at Kick Butt Coffee. Info: facebook.com

Sep. 8: “Deep in the Heart” Benefit Concert at ACL Live. Info: acllive.com