Robert Earl Keen, George Strait share details for Texas flood relief benefits

Texas musicians have rallied to support victims of the Fourth of July floods that devastated the Texas Hill Country and other parts of greater Central Texas. In Austin, last weekend’s For the Heart of Texas benefit show at the Long Center raised more than $150,000 for the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. Now, Texas natives Robert Earl Keen, George Strait and Selena Gomez are extending their reach to help victims.

Robert Earl Keen and Friends: Applause for the Cause

On Wednesday, Texas country heavyweight Robert Earl Keen, a Kerrville resident of over two decades, announced details for a star-studded fundraising event supporting relief efforts.

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

Keen was slated to play “REK’s Fourth on the River” in Kerrville before the flood hit.

“The whole stage got washed away. All the vendor booths got washed away. A lot of the production stuff got washed away. So, it was gone,” Keen told the American-Statesman on Monday.

On July 5, as tragic scenes from Kerrville were broadcast into homes across the country, Keen's team began devising the fundraiser. They "have been working tirelessly ever since,” he said.

The team has been careful to keep overhead costs minimal.

“Over the years, I’ve done a lot of fundraisers and benefits, and found that some of them are somewhat disappointing because people would throw huge parties for a fundraiser and spend most of the money on the party, and a small amount of money would go to the benefactor,” Keen said. “I learned to take care of the money and make sure it's not wasted.”

Buc-ee’s founder Arch "Beaver" Aplin has already pledged a $1 million donation as presenting sponsor of the event. Miller Pro AVL, C.C. Creations and graphic designer Dorothy Nottingham are also contributing to the event.

“The tragedies are beyond belief,” Aplin said in a news release. “Buc-ee’s teaming with Robert Earl Keen and friends for this benefit concert just seemed like the right thing to do.”

The benefit lineup also includes Wade Bowen, Cody Johnson, Shooter Jennings, Rob Baird and more.

“What I love about the music community and musicians is they do realize that they have the power to use their name and their effort, and it will bring people out,” Keen said. As the event came into focus, artists he tapped “saw this as the best use of their time.”

Tickets for “Robert Earl Keen and Friends: Applause for the Cause” go on sale Friday at noon and can be purchased at whitewaterrocks.com. Reserved seating is priced at $200, and general admission tickets are $99. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase a ticket for a local first responder to attend the event. First responder tickets can also be purchased and gifted without attending the event.

“When we moved to Kerrville, I was happy about being able to be part of a community, one that was solid,” Keen said. “When I saw it was time for me to really step up, I was surprised at how many people jumped at the chance to help.”

George Straight presents Strait To The Heart benefit dinner and concert

Texas country music icon George Strait is doing his part to raise money for the July 4 weekend flood relief efforts with “Strait To The Heart,” a private dinner and concert limited to 1,000 guests that will take place in Boerne on July 27. Performers will include Jamey Johnson, William Beckman, Ray Benson, Wade Bowen, Dean Dillon, Riley Green, Randy Houser, Kyler Park, Hudson Westbrook and members of the Ace in the Hold Band.

Tickets to the dinner concert start at $1,000 and complimentary tickets will be given to local first-responders. Donations from the event will go to Vaqueros del Mar Texas Flood Relief Fund, which will distribute money directly to families affected by the floods.

For more information on purchasing a ticket, contact vaquerosdm@gmail.com.

Selena Gomez responds to July 4 floods, makes donation

Texas-born pop star Selena Gomez shared her condolences for victims of the July 4 floods in a July 11 Instagram story.

“So many are hurting and have lost everything, including loved ones, in my home state of Texas,” Selena Gomez wrote on Instagram. “My heart breaks for those who have lost someone and anyone still missing. The people of Texas will need our help as they rebuild from this unfathomable disaster.”

Gomez said she will donate an undisclosed amount of money to the Kerr County Flood Relief fund. She encouraged her fans to do the same.

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