鈥淚鈥檓 trying to keep things a little bit upbeat because I haven鈥檛 been upbeat for a while,鈥� Texas country music icon Pat Green said from a stage at Globe Life Field in Arlington.
Green, who lost family members in the Kerr County flooding, hosted a live stream concert on YouTube on Wednesday evening to raise money for flood relief efforts in Central Texas.
鈥淚 was given this thing with my voice where I can not only raise awareness, but try to change people鈥檚 minds and so I鈥檓 trying to turn the sorrow into some bright light,鈥� Green said in a press conference before the concert.
The event, Pat Green & Friends: Central Texas Flood Relief Livestream, began with some remarks from Green, followed by a video message from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
鈥淣o matter what our state faces, we know that Texans have an unbreakable spirit,鈥� Abbott said. 鈥淭exans will help each other through this. We will be our quintessential selves. Texas tough and Texas resilient.鈥�
Green performed songs in an empty stadium following the governor鈥檚 remarks. Throughout the live stream video messages of support and performances by artists such as Wade Bowen and Miranda Lambert were played.
鈥淎s we know everything is bigger in Texas, even our love so I want you to know we鈥檙e here, and we鈥檙e praying for y鈥檃ll, and we are proud to be Texans,鈥� Lambert said.
The benefit comes in the wake of the devastating July 4 flooding along the Guadalupe River, which has claimed at least 132 lives. More than 101 people are reported to still be missing.
鈥淵ou think of all those people that are out there that are wondering what鈥檚 happened,鈥� Green said. 鈥淭hey still don鈥檛 know what鈥檚 happening, or if it鈥檚 gonna have a resolution. I think about that, that鈥檚 why we鈥檙e here.鈥�
Among the victims were Green鈥檚 younger brother John, John鈥檚 wife and their two sons. Green said he received the news by phone and had to tell his mother. The couple鈥檚 daughter, whose name Green chose not to share, survived. Green said he is prepared to care for her moving forward.
鈥淥ne of my favorite memories of my brother John at Billy Bob鈥檚 was that every time we played Billy Bob鈥檚, me and the band would walk off stage and there would be no beer left at all because, well, that was his M.O,鈥� Green said after playing 鈥淭ake Me Out to the Dance Hall.鈥�
All concert proceeds will go to Kerr County Relief, Texas Search and Rescue (TEXSAR) and the Do It for Durrett Foundation through the Pat Green Foundation.
鈥淭he one thing I know about Texas is Texas stands up for Texas,鈥� Green said. 鈥淲e all look after each other. It鈥檚 a big place. We stand our ground.鈥�
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