In the wake of the devastating Texas floods, country music legend Reba McEntire has stepped forward with both her voice and her heart. On July 8, Reba announced a $2 million donation to aid victims across the state and released a powerful charity single titled “When the Water Rises.”
Reba, visibly emotional at a press conference in Dallas, said the song was written after visiting flood zones and meeting families who lost everything. “I’ve sung about heartbreak before,” she said through tears. “But nothing compares to what these folks are going through.”
The ballad debuted at #1 on iTunes Country, with haunting lyrics like:
“Mama’s quilt’s floating / Daddy’s boots lost in the mud / But we still got our hands to hold / And that’s enough to rebuild love…” The song has already gone viral, with thousands calling it a “hymn for the hurting.”
Reba confirmed that 100% of the proceeds will go toward emergency shelters, grief counseling, and school supplies for displaced children. She’s also auctioning off personal items, including her iconic 1993 CMA red dress, raising an additional $500,000 for relief efforts.
One viral clip shows an elderly couple listening to the song outside their flooded home, holding hands. The woman quietly says, “We’ll be okay. Reba believes in us.” The moment captured the healing power behind the music.
Fellow country stars have praised Reba’s response. Miranda Lambert wrote, “This broke me. Thank you, Reba, for reminding us what country music is really about — heart and healing.”
A benefit concert is already in the works, with Reba reaching out to artists like Garth Brooks and Kacey Musgraves. But to Reba, the real mission is simple: “Texas didn’t wait to need help, so I didn’t wait to give it.”
As her song echoes through both radios and recovery sites, one thing is clear — when Texas needs strength, Reba shows up. And the world listens.
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