A quickly assembled benefit concert, officially titled Harvey Can’t Mess With Texas: A Benefit Concert for Hurricane Harvey Relief, starred Paul Simon, James Taylor, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Lyle Lovett, Edie Brickell & New Bohemians and others. The event took place Friday night (Sept. 22) at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin. (Watch the entire performance below.)
Matthew McConaughey served as host. “While we’re focused on Hurricane Harvey relief tonight, our thoughts and prayers go to all those affected by the recent storms and the terrible earthquakes in Mexico as well as on the as other places on our southeast coast.”
Taylor performed “Country Roads” and was then joined by Raitt for “You Can Close Your Eyes.” Simon played “America.”
The show was described as the largest benefit concert in Texas history. According to the website set up for the event, “Given the massive rebuilding work ahead, we expect that the money will be deployed to support the long-term work of recovery AND rebuilding, in addition to immediate relief efforts. Together we are committed to stabilizing families in every community – big and small – affected by Hurricane Harvey in Texas. The fund will support community partners in four focus areas – health and housing; schools and child care; workforce and transportation; and capital for rebuilding small businesses.”
Related: Pete Townshend played a benefit for Parkinson’s aid last spring
Another benefit for Harvey, titled Hand in Hand, took place Tuesday nigh (Sept. 12), with Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, Dave Matthews and other stars. Wonder opened the show with a cover of Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me” and prefaced his segment with a quip to the effect that those who are in denial of climate change “must be blind.”
The Texas benefit producers hope to raise $100 million toward the rebuilding effort.
Those who wish to contribute, may do so the following ways:
PayPal – Click here to donate. You will be redirected to PayPal. There are no transaction fees for this donation.
Text to Donate – Text RebuildTX to 91999 and follow the steps.
Wire or Stock – Contact OneStar Foundation at RebuildTX@onestarfoundation.org to make payment arrangements.
Check – Please make checks payable to the OneStar Foundation and mail to the following address, with “Rebuild Texas Fund” on the check: OneStar Foundation, 9011 Mountain Ridge Drive, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78759
Watch the benefit concert below. Willie Nelson begins at 11:50; James Taylor begins at 36:15, Paul Simon at 52:45.
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