🚨🎸 Texas Strong: George Strait Raises $6.25 MILLION (and Counting!) for Hill Country Flood Relief 🤯❤️🌊

Introduction

George Strait’s “Strait To The Heart” Benefit Raises $6.25 Million and Counting for Texas Hill Country Flood Relief

BOERNE, Texas — In the wake of catastrophic flooding across Texas’ Hill Country, George Strait and his Vaqueros del Mar partner Tom Cusick brought the community together for a night that blended prayer, generosity, and music into one powerful mission. On Sunday, July 27, the pair hosted “Strait To The Heart,” an intimate benefit dinner and concert at Estancia at Thunder Valley in Boerne, Texas — raising $6.25 million and counting to support families and communities impacted by the disaster.

The event drew a sold-out crowd of 1,200 guests, filling the venue with a shared sense of purpose. While benefit concerts often feel like big productions, the tone of this night was personal and deeply Texas — a gathering rooted in neighbors helping neighbors. The evening opened with the Texas Jamm Band, featuring members of Strait’s legendary Ace in the Hole Band, setting the stage with the kind of musicianship that feels instantly familiar to longtime fans.

From there, a lineup of artists kept the momentum moving, each performance serving as both entertainment and encouragement for those working to recover from the flood’s damage. Kyle Park, William Beckmann, Hudson Westbrook, and Ray Benson took turns bringing their own voices to the cause, reminding the crowd that Texas music has always been tied to Texas community.

When Strait and Cusick stepped onstage to welcome attendees, the room’s energy shifted from excitement to reverence. A prayer followed, along with remarks from Pastor Max Lucado, who offered a message designed to comfort those struggling to make sense of tragedy.

“I have a bookmark that a friend gave me that’s embroidered,” Lucado shared. “On one side, it’s nothing but irregular threads. Different lengths, different colors, a lot of knots. But if you flip it over, the message embroidered says ‘God is love.’ Facing a tragedy is learning to face it from the right side… during a time of tragedy, it’s essential that we do our very best… to see everything from God’s perspective.”

The remarks resonated because they didn’t try to explain away pain — they acknowledged it, while still pointing toward hope and action.

Cusick then introduced a special guest: Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who addressed both the emotional weight of the moment and the practical reality of response efforts. “There’s a saying that we’ve all repeated many times: pray as though everything is going to be taken care of by God, but act as though everything is up to you,” Abbott said. He also recognized the scale of rescue efforts already underway, noting that Texas first responders had rescued or evacuated more than 1,000 people. He urged the crowd to applaud those on the front lines: “Lives were saved because of those first responders. Give it up for our fearless first responders.”

To generate even more support for victims, organizers held a live auction ahead of additional performances — an energized stretch of the night that turned generosity into real-time impact. The stage then welcomed Wade Bowen, Randy Houser, Dean Dillon, Riley Green, and Jamey Johnson, creating a run of performances that felt like a Texas-wide musical embrace.

When George Strait began his own set, he opened with “The Weight of the Badge,” a fitting choice for a night focused on service and sacrifice. Then came one of the evening’s biggest surprises: Garth Brooks joined Strait onstage for “The Fireman,” a special moment dedicated to honoring first responders. Later, Jamey Johnson collaborated with Strait on “Give It Away,” and Strait welcomed longtime friend and co-writer Dean Dillon — along with his son Bubba Strait — for “Here For A Good Time,” adding a family touch to a night built around community.

By the end, “Strait To The Heart” stood as more than a fundraiser. It was a tribute to the Hill Country’s resilience — and a reminder that when Texans face hardship, they don’t just grieve. They show up. They lift each other. And they turn love into action.

Organizers noted that additional contributions can still be made through the official donation channel referenced by the event.

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