Musicians, celebs, and Houston heroes descend on Austin for Hurricane Harvey relief benefit



See more photos from the event that raised millions for Harvey relief... less KHOU-TV's Brandi Smith was one of the local heroes that made the trip to Austin for Friday night's "Harvey Can't Mess with Texas" benefit concert at Frank Erwin Center. Willie Nelson, Paul Simon, and James Taylor were the major acts on the bill along with major Texas celebs. KHOU-TV's Brandi Smith was one of the local heroes that made the trip to Austin for Friday night's "Harvey Can't Mess with Texas" benefit concert at Frank Erwin Center. Willie Nelson, Paul Simon, and James ... more Photo: Charles Reagan Hackleman Photo: Charles Reagan Hackleman Image 1 of / 38 Caption Close Musicians, celebs, and Houston heroes descend on Austin for Hurricane Harvey relief benefit 1 / 38 Back to Gallery

Friday night's "Harvey Can't Mess with Texas" benefit and televised broadcast at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin featured a star-studded lineup of Texas musicians and their famous friends, native celebrities, and two local Houston heroes.

The affair was for Rebuild Texas, the hurricane relief effort created by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation in collaboration with the OneStar Foundation.

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KHOU-TV's Brandi Smith rubbed shoulders with actor Luke Wilson. Willie Nelson covered Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Texas Flood" with Bonnie Raitt, and Jimmie Vaughan, and Matthew McConaughey charmed the Austin crowd.

The night's four hours of music began with Nelson christening the event (naturally) with "Whiskey River" in grand style.

Houston police chief Art Acevedo returned to Austin where he previously presided as chief to remind those watching about the first responders that served so tirelessly during Hurricane Harvey's strike on the Bayou City.

Smith's live, televised heroics during Harvey, most notably saving a truck driver from possible death, were revisited and she received a hearty ovation from the audience.

Legendary acts Paul Simon and James Taylor chipped in with short sets of hits and covers, including Simon covering "Waltz Across Texas" (made famous Ernest Tubb) backed by house band Asleep at the Wheel.

Taylor, looking spry, ran through Eric Von Schmidt's "Wasn't That a Mighty Storm" which was originally written about the 1900 storm that ravaged Galveston. His "Sweet Baby James" with Asleep at the Wheel layering twang over the back end was a revelation.

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Red dirty country outlaw Ryan Bingham reintroduced himself to the crowd, showing off his distinctive rasp that pushed him out in front of his contemporaries a decade ago. His huge white cowboy hat was only a little distracting.

Little Joe y La Familia brought some cheerful Tejano flavor to the proceedings, which did go through some somber stretches befitting the tragedies of Harvey.

McConaughey, Katy's Renee Zellweger, Wilson, Texas Longhorns royalty Vince Young, and Austin locals Andy Roddick and Brooklyn Decker made appearances on a smaller stage in the arena to remind viewers of how to donate to the cause.

The Dixie Chicks' Martie Maguire was nearly a constant onstage along with guitarist Charlie Sexton who acted as the local glue and musical director for the affairs on the main stage.

Lesser-known up-and-comers like Dallas' Leon Bridges, Nathaniel Rateliff, and Mexican pop act Ha*Ash checked in with solid sets. Rateliff and his band elevated the mood in the building with their bouncy hit "S.O.B." before bringing out Raitt for an on-point rendition of Leon Russell's "Delta Lady". Raitt and the rascally Rateliff appeared to have fallen in love musically as the night went on.

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A highlight of Simon's set near the close of the night was he and wife Brickell doing a sweetly antagonistic cover of Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn's "You're the Reason Our Kids Are Ugly".

Simon gave the crowd "America"," The Boxer", and "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard", sidestepping the obvious "Bridge over Troubled Water" thankfully.

Nelson's closing set, into the fourth hour of the evening, closed with the musical family reconvening onstage for his trademark "I'll Fly Away"/"Will the Circle Be Unbroken" grand finale, sending Texans off into the night on a high note.