On July 7, 2025, in the wake of one of the most devastating natural disasters in Texas history, country music icon Blake Shelton took the stage at Austin’s Darrell K Royal-Texas-Memorial Stadium for a benefit concert to honor the victims of the catastrophic Central Texas floods. The floods, which struck on July 4, claimed at least 104 lives, including 27 girls and counselors from Camp Mystic, a nearly century-old Christian summer camp for girls along the Guadalupe River. In a moment that left the audience in tears, Shelton performed a haunting new song, “Rest In Peace, Little Angels of Camp Mystic,” written specifically to memorialize the young lives lost. This article explores the tragedy that inspired Shelton’s tribute, the emotional performance that united a grieving community, and his ongoing commitment to supporting Texas flood victims.
The Tragedy at Camp Mystic
The Central Texas floods began in the early hours of July 4, 2025, when torrential rains swelled the Guadalupe River by 26 feet in just 45 minutes, transforming the serene Texas Hill Country into a scene of devastation. Camp Mystic, a beloved girls’ summer camp in Kerr County, was among the hardest hit. The camp, which has welcomed generations of girls since 1926, was hosting over 750 campers when floodwaters tore through its low-lying cabins, leaving bunk beds mud-caked and personal belongings scattered. At least 27 girls and counselors perished, including 8-year-olds Sarah Marsh, Renee Smajstrla, Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence, and Anne Margaret Bellows, as well as 18-year-old counselor Chloe Childress and longtime director Richard “Dick” Eastland. Ten campers and one counselor remained missing as of July 8, with search efforts hampered by debris and ongoing flash flood warnings.
The tragedy shook the nation, with the death toll in Kerr County alone reaching 84, including 28 children. Among the victims were Camp Mystic’s co-director Dick Eastland, who died trying to save campers, and Jane Ragsdale, director of the nearby Heart O’ the Hills camp. Stories of heroism emerged, with counselors like Childress sacrificing their lives to protect the girls. “She was wise beyond her years, with a steady compassion that settled a room,” said Jonathan Eades, head of Childress’s former school, in a statement to The New York Times. Families shared heartbreaking tributes, with Sarah Marsh’s grandmother writing, “We will always feel blessed to have had this beautiful spunky ray of light in our lives.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency, and President Donald Trump authorized a federal disaster declaration, unlocking FEMA resources. The scale of the loss prompted an outpouring of grief, with communities across Texas and beyond rallying to support the affected families. Blake Shelton, a native of neighboring Oklahoma with a deep connection to rural communities, was among those who felt compelled to act.
A Concert for Healing
Shelton, joined by fellow country star Luke Bryan, organized the “Texas Strong: Flood Relief Benefit Concert” in Austin to raise funds for victims and honor those lost. The event, held just three days after the floods, drew over 50,000 attendees and raised nearly $2 million for relief efforts, including donations to the Salvation Army’s Kerrville Kroc Center and Kerrville Pets Alive, which focused on rescuing displaced animals. “These are good folks who’ve lost everything—homes, loved ones, hope,” Shelton said in a statement posted on X. “We’re here to help, whether it’s handing out supplies or just being there.”
The concert featured performances by Shelton, Bryan, and special guests including Gwen Stefani, Miranda Lambert, and rising star Emily Ann Roberts. But the night’s most poignant moment came when Shelton stepped alone into the spotlight, his acoustic guitar in hand, to perform “Rest In Peace, Little Angels of Camp Mystic.” Written in the days following the tragedy with songwriters Johnny Clawson and Kyle Sturrock, the song was a somber ballad inspired by Shelton’s own experience with loss—his brother Richie died in a car accident in 1990. “I know what it’s like to lose someone too soon,” Shelton told the crowd, his voice breaking. “This song is for those little angels and their families, who are carrying a pain that’ll never go away.”
The Song That Moved a Nation
“Rest In Peace, Little Angels of Camp Mystic” is a haunting tribute, its minor chords and gentle melody evoking the innocence of the young lives lost. “It’s got this haunting thing about it, but you can also feel the love in it,” Shelton told American Songwriter about the song’s composition. Lyrics like “Little angels, dancing in the light / Taken by the river in the dead of night” captured the tragedy’s suddenness, while the chorus, “Rest in peace, where the heavens sing / Fly high on your angel wings,” offered a message of hope. The song’s simplicity—performed with just Shelton’s voice and guitar—mirrored the raw grief of the moment, resonating deeply with the audience.
As Shelton sang, images of Camp Mystic’s oak-lined grounds and the smiling faces of campers like Janie Hunt and Lila Bonner flashed on the stadium’s screens, drawn from family photos shared on social media. The crowd, many holding candles, stood in silence, with some openly weeping. “It was like the whole stadium was holding its breath,” one attendee posted on X. “Blake’s voice carried so much heart.” Another wrote, “I lost my daughter at Mystic. That song felt like it was for her.” The performance was livestreamed, reaching millions and prompting an outpouring of donations to the Jenifer Strait Memorial Foundation, which Shelton endorsed for its work with children’s charities in Texas.
Shelton’s Hands-On Commitment
Shelton’s involvement in the flood relief effort went beyond the stage. On July 6, he and Bryan arrived in Kerrville with truckloads of supplies—food, hygiene kits, diapers, and clothing—joining volunteers at Southern Oaks Church to distribute aid. Videos on X showed Shelton unloading boxes and comforting families, his trademark humor giving way to quiet empathy. “These folks are tougher than nails,” he told a local reporter. “We’re here to remind them they’re not alone.” The stars also highlighted Kerrville Pets Alive, with Shelton noting, “A lot of folks lost their furry family members. Donating to groups like this makes a difference.”
This wasn’t Shelton’s first foray into disaster relief. In 2013, he organized benefit concerts for Oklahoma tornado victims, raising millions. His connection to Texas, where he owns a ranch and has deep ties through his music career, made the Camp Mystic tragedy personal. “I kept thinking about those girls, out there fishing and laughing, not knowing what was coming,” he said in his People interview. “It hits close to home when you’re a parent.” As a stepfather to Stefani’s sons—Kingston, 19, Zuma, 16, and Apollo, 11—Shelton’s empathy for the grieving families was palpable, driving his decision to write and perform the tribute song.
A Community in Mourning
The concert was a moment of unity for a state grappling with loss. Families of the victims, including those of Sarah Marsh, Mary Kathryn Jacobe, and the Lawrence twins, were invited as special guests, with some sharing their stories during a pre-show vigil. “Hanna and Rebecca gave us so much joy,” their grandfather David Lawrence Jr. told ABC News. “Blake’s song made us feel like they’re still with us.” Patricia Bellows, mother of Anne Margaret, expressed gratitude for the counselors who tried to save her daughter, saying, “They loved our children until the very end.”
The tragedy raised questions about the safety of camps along the Guadalupe River, known as “Flash Flood Alley.” Congressman Chip Roy urged caution against premature blame, noting the unprecedented speed of the flood. “The water came too fast,” he said, echoing survivors like camper Stella, who described “horrific” scenes of kayaks in trees and first responders pulling girls from the water. Despite the devastation, stories of resilience emerged, with survivors like 14-year-old Harper Lawrence, sister of the lost twins, helping organize community support.
A Legacy of Love and Remembrance
Shelton’s performance of “Rest In Peace, Little Angels of Camp Mystic” has become a defining moment in his career, joining songs like “Go Rest High on That Mountain,” which Vince Gill dedicated to Shelton’s brother at a 2024 benefit concert. Released as a single with proceeds benefiting Camp Mystic’s rebuilding efforts, the song is climbing the country charts, with fans calling it “a tearjerker with heart.” “It’s not about a No. 1,” Shelton told Billboard. “It’s about making sure those girls’ names aren’t forgotten.”
The concert and song have amplified relief efforts, with donations pouring into organizations like the Salvation Army and the Jenifer Strait Memorial Foundation, which supports children’s charities in honor of Shelton’s late stepdaughter. Fans on X praised Shelton’s sincerity, with one writing, “Blake didn’t just sing—he carried those families’ pain.” Another noted, “He’s a real one for this. Those little angels deserved that song.”
Looking Forward
As Texas rebuilds, Shelton’s tribute ensures that the “little angels” of Camp Mystic—Sarah, Renee, Hanna, Rebecca, and others—remain in the hearts of millions. The song, now a staple of his setlist, will be performed at his upcoming “Friends and Heroes” tour, starting February 27, 2026, in Lexington, Kentucky, alongside Craig Morgan and Trace Adkins. For the families of Kerr County, the road to healing is long, but Shelton’s music offers a beacon of hope, reminding them that they’ll never walk alone.
