George Strait is doing his part to help those impacted by the devastating Texas floods, which have killed more than 120 people, including Pat Green’s brother and sister-in-law, with at least 160 people still missing.

To help with recovery efforts, Strait, along with his Vaqueros del Mar partner of 15 years, Tom Cusick, will host a special Strait To The Heart benefit dinner and concert in Boerne, Texas. The event will take place on Sunday, July 27.

“The destruction and loss in our community from the recent flood is hard to wrap your head around,” Strait says. “Our hearts and prayers are with you all. The goal with this event is to raise meaningful, immediate support that can be put directly into the hands of flood victims without delay, while also honoring the first responders that work tirelessly to save lives.

“Special thanks to our friends and fellow troubadours—William Beckman, Ray Benson, Wade Bowen, Dean Dillon, Riley Green, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Kyle Park, Hudson Westbrook and members of my Ace in the Hole Band—for joining me on stage to lend their talent and their hearts to this mission,” he adds.

Cusick also shares his hope that the money raised will help in the ongoing recovery efforts.

 

“The road ahead will be a long one; however the immediate need is so great that we didn’t want to wait,” Cusick says. “Together, we can show our neighbors that when hardship strikes, Texas and our country stand strong, and we stand together.”

Because of the intimate setting, the Strait To The Heart event is limited to 1000 guests. Tickets and tables are available for purchase, with prices beginning at $1000. Complimentary tickets will be provided for local first responders.

Kerr County was the hardest hit in Texas, which is where Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp, suffered dozens of fatalities. Recovery efforts are expected to take months.

The King of Country Music has been an avid supporter of first responders throughout his career. His song, “The Weight of the Badge,” honors police officers, fire fighters, EMTs and more.

“‘The Weight of the Badge,’ the idea for that song came about when I got the Texan of the Year award,” Strait says of the song, which he wrote with his son, Bubba Strait, and Dillon. “Me and Bubba, Tamara and Harvey, everybody, Norma, and even Jilliann, I think were there. I had security; I had an officer who was talking to Harvey and letting him play with his badge and hold it and pinning it on his shirt.”

“I just got to thinking about that because it really wasn’t that heavy until you put it on it and then it really gets heavy,” he continues. “So, that was one of those things I thought was a real important message especially these days and times. I love the way it turned out.”

Donations can be made to 501c3 Vaqueros del Mar Texas Flood Relief Fund, and distributed directly to affected families as well as established Hill Country funds. For more information, or to make a donation, email [email protected].