When Central Texas was rocked by the July 4 floods, one man decided music would help heal. On August 28, Robert Earl Keen turned the Whitewater Amphitheater into a beacon of hope with Applause for the Cause, a one-night-only benefit concert that felt more like a family reunion.
The line-up was nothing short of legendary:
Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall, Jack Ingram, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Randy Rogers, Cody Jinks, Hayes Carll, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Ryan Bingham, Jamey Johnson, Tyler Childers (who joined Keen for a rousing closing set), and many more. A house band led by Lloyd Maines kept the hits flowing, ensuring smooth transitions under the starry Hill Country sky.
But this wasn’t just a concert, it was a statement of solidarity. The event raked in a staggering $3 million for the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, with $1 million donated upfront by Buc-ee’s founder Arch “Beaver” Aplin. With 5,600 fans packed in, making it the amphitheater’s biggest show ever.
To keep the momentum going, Keen’s merch sales on the road have already raised an additional $70,000 (and counting), all funneled directly into relief efforts. It’s proof that when Texas musicians and fans come together, something truly powerful happens.
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