Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum Raise Over $8.5 Million for Central Texas Flood Relief with ‘Band Together Texas’ Benefit
The nearly three hour show was broadcast live across multiple platforms.
Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum backstage at the Moody Center, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025; Photo by Bralyn Kelly Smith
Artists, actors and athletes from Texas joined country superstars Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum on Sunday evening (Aug. 17) for “Band Together Texas” at Austin’s Moody Center. The event paid tribute to the lives lost in the Central Texas floods while also celebrating the everyday heroes and first responders who saved so many others. Benefiting The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country and the Central Texas Community Foundation, it has already raised more than $8.5 million (and counting!).
The sold-out show lasted nearly three hours and was broadcast live on iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, YouTube, Facebook, and nugs.net, encouraging fans to contribute to ongoing relief efforts.
Matthew McConaughey made a special appearance to open the show with a monologue detailing the importance of the event.
“The devastating floods that took so many lives, businesses and homes last month broke a lot of hearts. As that day gets further away into the distance of our rearview mirror, it’s only natural that our concern and attention recede just like those flood waters—but we must remember, for the families who suffered, they are just beginning the lengthy journey to rebuild their lives,” he shared. ”Tonight is about restoration… we are here to revive–Because even in the hardest times, we have to believe in the power of joy. So while we honor the heavy truths that brought us here, we will also celebrate the light that must continue to shine.”
The show officially opened with Lambert and McCollum performing the George Strait classic “True.”
“Thank you Austin, Texas for showing up tonight. Thank you, everybody, for tuning in and showing up for us. We are banding together as Texans tonight,” Lambert told the crowd. “It’s going to be a magical night of music, and for an amazing cause. My buddy Parker and I, we called each other right away and we asked, ‘What can we do? We can sing, so let’s go sing.’ And that’s what we’re doing tonight!”
Throughout the evening, Lambert and McCollum welcomed a slew of artists to the stage, including Wade Bowen, Dylan Gossett, Jack Ingram, Ronnie Dunn, Lukas Nelson, and Pat Green. Additionally, actor Dennis Quaid; former UT Longhorns coach Mack Brown and players Emmanuel Acho, Colt McCoy and Vince Young; MLB star and Houston native Roger Clemens; television host and Dallas native Chris Harrison; and Austin-based fashion designer Kendra Scott shared stories honoring courage and strength in the Hill Country.
“I’d like to give a shout out to Miranda Lambert, she’s the whole reason all of this is going on,” McCollum said from the stage. “She texted me right away and asked, ‘What can we do?’ I said, ‘I’ll do anything I could ever possibly do to help these people.’ So, good on all of y’all for being here on a Sunday night. I’ve never been more proud to be born and raised in the great state of Texas than I am tonight.”
The evening also highlighted the bravery of first responders. Scott honored Razor Dobbs, public information officer for the Center Point Volunteer Fire Department, along with Fire Chief Charles Holt. Harrison extended recognition to the Texas Game Wardens who were in attendance.
Making a surprise appearance at “Band Together Texas” was Jason Aldean, who performed at the Moody Center the night before. He generously donated his stage and production crew for the event and took the stage to perform “She’s Country” and a duet of “Amarillo Sky” with Lambert.
“Thank you guys so much. Yeah, I had to stay an extra day here in Austin, I can’t think of a better cause to be here for than this,” Aldean stated. “Huge thank you to Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum for doing this tonight.”
“Jason was here last night, as you already know, but he left all of his stuff for us to use, and stayed an extra day to sing a song for us, so you’re an honorary Texan tonight, friend,” Lambert declared.
The show concluded with an all-star performance of “On The Road Again.”
“Band Together Texas” Set List:
“True” – Parker McCollum & Miranda Lambert
“Bluebird” – Miranda Lambert
“The House That Built Me” – Miranda Lambert
“A Beautiful World” – Wade Bowen
“Nothin’ But Texas” – Wade Bowen
“Tree Birds” – Dylan Gossett
“Don’t Cry A Tear” – Lyle Lovett
“South Texas Girl” – Lyle Lovett
“Waltz Across Texas” – Lukas Nelson & Pat Green
“Just Outside of Austin” – Lukas Nelson & Pat Green
“Solid Country Gold” – Parker McCollum
“Handle on You” – Parker McCollum
“Tin Man” – Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall, Jack Ingram
“Times Like These” – Jack Ingram
“Keep On Keepin’ On” – Jack Ingram
“Keep On Moving” – Jon Randall
“Girls From Texas” – Jon Randall
“Buy Myself a Chance” – Randy Rogers & Brady Black
“In My Arms Instead” – Randy Rogers & Brady Black
“Hallelujah” – Ryan Bingham
“Nobody Knows My Trouble” – Ryan Bingham
“She’s Country” – Jason Aldean
“Amarillo Sky” – Jason Aldean & Miranda Lambert
“Neon Moon” – Ronnie Dunn
“Believe” – Ronnie Dunn with The Levites
“Dirt Cheap” – Cody Johnson
“Til You Can’t” – Cody Johnson
“How Great Thou Art” – Cody Johnson
“On The Road Again” – All Sing
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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