More Like The River

Brad Beheler
Jul 5
3 min read

For someone who’s usually good with words, this unfolding tragedy has continued to rob me of the right ones. I’ve tried to stay busy. Small tasks from afar, trying to help where I can. But the sadness and helplessness remain.

Just like yesterday, I found myself turning to the music of Walt Wilkins to help make some sense of it all. Last night it was "Someone, Somewhere Tonight". Today it was "More Like the River" from his Vigil album. It came on while I was taking a long walk in the rain to try and clear my head a bit. I heard it and I had to hit repeat. Then again. And again. I’ve heard this song a hundred times before. But I don’t think I truly listened to it until today.

There’s something in the lyrics that grabbed hold of me. I’m linking the YouTube video below, but I’d encourage you to find it on your streaming service of choice. I’m also posting the lyrics below. I hope they bring you some of the calm and clarity they brought me today.

👉 https://youtu.be/fo56DygnHLQ?si=8HE43fY7eksZJGnY

Love is more like the river than the road

It carries everywhere it’s been wherever it goes

And there’s a light underneath that doesn’t show

Love is more like the river than the road

Love is more like the wind than a cloud

You can’t see it, but you can see it move things around

Love is more forever than here and now

Love is more like the wind than a cloud

It’s a long way around, it’s a long way home

But this I know

Love is more like a river than the road

Love is more like April than July

A restless spirit growing wild

Less like the moon and stars and the whole damn sky

Love is more like April than July

Love is more a gift than a bribe

It tangles and it ties

It lives by the truth or it dies

Love is more a gift than a bribe

It’s a long way around, it’s a long way home

But this I know

Love is more like a river than the road

More like a garden than a grove

Love is more like a river than the road

God decided I needed to LISTEN to that song today. And I'm hopeful it finds your heart the way it found mine.

Today, the tragedy expanded and impacted thousands more families, businesses and properties. The heaviest toll remains in Kerr County with those precious children, and now extends for hundreds of miles.

As we posted earlier, our River Jam homebase of Lone Star Float House endured some severe Guadalupe River flooding but everyone is safe and okay for the moment.

We are working tirelessly behind the scenes to figure out the best way to incorporate fundraising efforts for this tragedy into next weekend's events. The Sunday event may be transforming into a full blown benefit. More details to come.

We will continue to come together as a music scene and community to organize the best ways to help. One shred of positive news throughout this darkness has been the light of artists such as Treaty Oak donating money, Kristi Grider delivering supplies to her hometown of Kerrville, Josh Abbott being on the ground helping, Rich O'Toole organizing things and many other things that aren't even public yet.

Thoughts and prayers are important, but it's going to take a lot of sweat equity and time to help dig out of this. And, we will. We're Texans.

Continued prayers to all affected, the heroes with boots on the ground helping out and the larger Texas community. Such a heavy, sad few days with more to come. Below are some links to things we have supported and will continue to share. Hang in there y'all.

Much love.

-Brad

Kerr County Flood Relief Fund:

Donate directly to those impacted:

👉 tinyurl.com/KerrFloodRelief

Fundraiser T-shirt from Emma Lou’s Boutique:

👉 emmalousboutique.com

MuttNation (via Miranda Lambert) is helping locate & rescue missing pets:

👉 muttnation.com

TexSAR Search & Rescue is on the frontlines and accepting donations:

👉 texsar.org

Please give, share, and hold these communities in your heart. Every act of kindness counts.