Kerrville native Robert Earl Keen is circling the wagons to support Hill Country flood relief. After the July 4 storms, the Texas country legend quickly got to work on an all-star benefit concert on August 28 at New Braunfels Whitewater Amphitheater, enlisting Buc-ee's, Tyler Childers, Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram, and more to lend a boot.
More than just a concert, Buc-ee's Presents Robert Earl Keen and Friends: Applause for the Cause will be a mini music festival with performances starting at 3 pm. All of the proceeds will benefit the Community Foundation of the Hill Country's Kerr County Flood Relief Fund.
"This is a star-studded lineup with music starting in the mid-afternoon and lasting far into the night," says Keen via a release. "We must help everyone as much as we can, for as long as we can."
Arch "Beaver" Aplin III, the founder of Buc-ee's, swiftly got involved in the project. The convenience store giant has already pledged $1 million to flood recovery and cleanup efforts.
"We are pleased to have the opportunity to support the relief efforts of so many for our beloved Hill Country. The tragedies are beyond belief," says Aplin in a statement. "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."
Miranda Lambert will be performing in a trio with Jon Randall and Jack Ingram. Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images
The full Buc-ee's Presents Robert Earl Keen and Friends: Applause for the Cause lineup includes:
- Robert Earl Keen with special guest Tyler Childers
- Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall, and Jack Ingram (performing as a trio)
- Cross Canadian Ragweed
- Aaron Watson
- Catie Offerman
- Cleto Cordero
- Cody Jinks
- Hayes Carll
- Jamestown Revival
- Jamey Johnson
- Jason Boland
- Josh Abbott
- KAZIMI
- Kelsey Waldon
- Kolton Moore
- Lloyd Maines and the Austin City Limits Band
- 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
Tickets go on sale Friday, June 18, for $99 general admission and $200 reserved seating. Music fans will also be given the opportunity to purchase passes for area first responders, whether they attend the show or not. The concert's planners say that more artists will be announced at a later date, and the show will be streamed via the Veeps platform.
Keen isn't the only Texas country icon to throw his support behind the cause. George Strait recently announced a benefit concert at Boerne's Estancia at Thunder Valley indoor arena on July 27. Pat Green, whose brother John and family were among the victims of the flooding, will host a streaming concert at Arlington's Globe Life Field on July 16.