Texas Hill Country Flood Relief: Stories of Tragedy, Heroism, and Hope
July 7, 2025 - A Special Episode

In the wake of the devastating July 4th floods that swept through the Texas Hill Country, we dedicate this episode to honoring the lives lost, celebrating the heroes who emerged, and providing vital information for those wanting to help with relief efforts. The numbers are heartbreaking: around 80 confirmed dead, with 68 in Kerr County alone, and search and recovery efforts continuing for those still missing.

But amid the tragedy, we've witnessed incredible stories of resilience and the true spirit of Texans helping Texans.

Stories of Survival and Heroism: We share the harrowing account of Houston brothers Brock and Braeden Davis, who survived 13 hours of rising floodwaters at Camp La Junta. Plus, the remarkable story of Jonathon McComb, the sole survivor of the 2015 Wimberley floods, who has returned as a volunteer with TEXSAR to help with current rescue efforts—proving that sometimes our greatest pain becomes our greatest purpose.

How You Can Help: The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has established the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, with 100% of donations going directly to trusted local organizations. We explain why cash donations are most effective and share the website: communityfoundation.net.

Relief Efforts in Action:

• The Salvation Army Kerrville serves as the Official Partner for Volunteer Coordination at 855 Hayes St. (phone: 830-465-4797)
• HEB's rapid response, including mobile kitchens in Ingram and support across impacted areas
• Kerrville Pets Alive's efforts to rescue and reunite flood-displaced animals (kerrvillepetsalive.com)
• Grape Juice Kerrville's grassroots meal preparation for evacuees and first responders

A Personal Connection: As someone who has vacationed in the Hill Country for years and spent childhood summers at Bear Creek Scout Reservation, this tragedy hits close to home. We discuss what makes this region so special and why its recovery matters to all of us. This episode serves as both a call to action and a testament to the unbreakable spirit of Texas communities. In our darkest hours, we see the brightest examples of human compassion and resilience.

Governor Abbott declared July 6th a "Day of Prayer" for the victims, survivors, and recovery efforts. We continue to pray for the Hill Country and stand ready to help however we can.

Big Frank catches up with the great singer-songwriter, Robert Earl Keen!

Join us for a great conversation with Keen, ahead of his visit to Corpus Christi on July 2nd. The Houston-born troubadour opens up about returning to the road after stepping back from his relentless touring schedule, sharing what it feels like to reconnect with audiences after decades of living on the highway.

We dive deep into the mystique of the Texas Hill Country that has shaped so much of Keen's storytelling, exploring how the landscape and culture of his adopted home continues to inspire his songwriting. Robert discusses his latest album "Western Chill," revealing the creative process behind this new chapter in his two-decade-plus recording career.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn as we explore Keen's role as podcast host for the "Americana Podcast: The 51st State," where he's discovered a new platform for celebrating the genre he helped pioneer.

We also get the inside story behind one of his most beloved songs, "Gringo Honeymoon," and what makes it resonate with fans across generations.

Over the course of 20+ albums and countless live performances, Robert Earl Keen has established himself as nothing short of a living legend. Inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriters' Hall of Fame and honored with the Texas A&M Distinguished Alumni Award, Keen has built his reputation by avoiding mainstream trends and staying committed to his craft of telling a good story. A true pioneer of the Americana genre, he continues to engage his legions of die-hard fans from both studio and stage, though perhaps a bit more selectively these days.

This is essential listening for anyone who loves authentic American songwriting, Texas music, or simply a great story told by one of the masters. 

The PBR Velocity Tour Finals in Corpus Christi, this Friday and Saturday, May 2-3, as a part of the Buc Days Celebration! When the dust settles on the two-day event, PBR will crown the 2025 Velocity Tour Champion, who will receive a $50,000 bonus, culminating a grueling season of dozens of events that spanned the globe. 

Big Frank caught up with bull rider Wyatt Rogers ahead of the event. 

ABOUT WYATT ROGERS: 
Growing up in the sport, son of steer wrestler and team roper, Rogers began his cowboy lifestyle before he even left the crib. Excelling from a young age, Rogers was a multi-time Oklahoma High School bull riding champion before embarking on his professional career.

After making his PBR debut in 2017, Rogers began to hit his stride in 2022, excelling both individually and being signed as a free agent to the Carolina Cowboys for the inaugural season of PBR Teams.

The charismatic Oklahoma native continued to reach new heights in 2023, qualifying for his career-first PBR World Finals, and riding for the regular-season No. 2 Kansas City Outlaws when the bull riding league held its second season.

He repeated those successes in 2024, returning to the World Finals and helping Kansas City to a regular season Teams Championship.

With the 2025 campaign now in full gear, Rogers is determined to not only return to the PBR World Finals, but also win a Velocity Tour Championship in the process.

Big Frank visits with Susan Ivy and Alicia Tijerina from Kingsville about the upcoming Festival de la Loteria. It's happening Saturday, April 26th downtown Kingsville 10am-4pm. All proceeds will be going to Keep Kingsville Beautiful so they can continue their beautification efforts. Loteria games scheduled for 11am, 1pm & 3pm. Plus music from Daniel Jacob & back by popular demand El Mariachi Tres Equis. There will also be a Car Show, children's area, food trucks, plus arts & crafts vendors.
For more information visit www.KingsvileTexas.com

Texas Sandfest is this weekend, and I caught up with Melinda Compton. She is the Marketing & Communications Director of the Port Aransas Tourism Bureau and Chamber of Commerce. We talked about Sandfest and what you need to know to attend. Texas SandFest is a 501c(3) nonprofit that operates under a Board of Directors. What began as a small, local competition in 1997 has grown into an internationally recognized three-day family event that draws renowned sand sculptors and tens of thousands of visitors from around the world each year to Port Aransas. ​Full info can be found at https://k99country.iheart.com/calendar/content/2025-04-25-texas-sandfest-2025/

Another great day the Good Lord has given us, let's make it count! Great show today, and I  love to hear from you anytime. Email is BigFrank@iHeartMedia.com or on socials search for @BigFrankRadio

SHOW NOTES FOR MONDAY, APRIL 7TH 2025
-Today is National Beer Day  
-There are 13 days left until Easter  
-In history, this day 1827, wooden matches were invented 
-HBD actor Jackie Chan (71)  
-A Minecraft Movie was #1 at the box office 
-Alex Ovechkin breaks Wayne Gretzky's NHL record, scoring his 895th goal  
-UCONN Lady Huskies won the women NCAA tournament beating South Carolina  
-Houston and Florida play for the men's championship tonight in San Antonio  


THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
The 83rd annual "Sunrise Passion Play" is a long-time Corpus Christi tradition. There is an 'open call' for actors and volunteers. They welcome all denominations and all ages, with no experience necessary. Those interested can attend the rehearsals at Cole Park every Sunday at 2:30 p.m. 

The 26th Earth Day - Bay Day is coming up on Saturday. Hosted by the Coastal Bend Bays Foundation, it will be held at Heritage Park from 10am-4pm. The event has free admission and more info at BaysFoundation.org.   

The Corpus Christi Hooks 20th Anniversary Season officially begins at Whataburger Field tomorrow night as the Hooks host the San Antonio Missions. Homestand continues through Sunday. Friday is once again K-99 night and the first 3,000 receive a Hooks 20th Anniversary Fan Ring from Whataburger plus postgame Friday Fireworks! Tickets and info at CCHooks.com.

Join CASA of the Coastal Bend for their annual Ringing of the Bells event on April 17th, 2025 at 5:30pm at In the Game Funtrackers. Bells will be handed out to all in attendance, and will signify the importance of national Child Abuse Prevention month. They are looking for Vendors in the community to join them at the event. Click on this link to be a vendor https://forms.office.com/r/RHpQFwgi48

Big Frank is joined by Diana Booth of CASA and Lisa Miller from In the Game Funtrackers to discuss this upcoming event and more. 

Ringing Of The Bells

Today on the show we "Get It Off Your Chest" what is bothering you, you Monday Intel, Good News, 3 Things You Need To Know, plus now you can pay for your Door Dash order in payments!?!

SHOW NOTES:

INTEL FOR MONDAY MARCH 31ST 2025 . . .
*Today is National Tater Day
*There are 20 days left until Easter
*1932, Ford introduced the V-8 engine
*1995, Selena was murdered her in Corpus
*HBD actor Christopher Walken (82)
*Men's College basketball 4 teams left standing are Duke, Florida, Auburn and Houston...they face off in San Antonio this weekend
*The Jason Statham thriller "A Working Man" topped the box office
*Legendary actor Richard Chamberlain, star of 1980s mini-series The Thorn Birds had died at 90
*And congratulations to my daughter Leighann Franklin. She is on the rowing team at the University of Central Florida (Go Knights!) and her team won gold at the Sarasota 2K beating Univ of Miami, Alabama and others. Yes I'm a proud Dad. I was posting on socials like a crazy Dad this weekend, too.

THREE THINGS TO KNOW . . .
#1 - TxDOT sent word out Friday that a ceremonial ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Harbor Bridge will take place May 10th. It replaces the legendary bridge which has been a part of the Corpus Christi skyline since the 1950s. As far as the bridge opening to traffic, KIII 3 NEWS reports that additional details will be released on when that will take place.

#2 - Great to get rain, but not great to get an increase in mosquitos. Vector Control will start spraying today in Calallen and Annaville, and will spray around the area in the coming days. Make sure you're doing your part to drain any standing water outside, and try those mosquito dunks if you have it ponding up. 

#3 - I'd be remiss if I didn't mention it was 30 years ago today that Selena was murdered. a day that many of us remember. “The Queen of Tejano” music died at the peak of her popularity. At only 23 years old, she became the first female Tejano artist to win a Grammy. I remember driving back from Corpus Christi that day, picking up a paycheck from a radio station I was working for, and then heading back, being on Business 77 between Bishop and Kingsville, turning on to FM 1355 and crossing the rail road tracks and hearing the news reported here on K-99, and then flipped over to KSAB Tejano 99.9. Tragic day. Her music lives on. 

GOOD NEWS STORY . . .
After her truck driver owner passed away, Honey, a 14-year-old yellow lab, was taken in by an Indianapolis nonprofit who are on a mission to give the best possible farewell. Over a hundred volunteers responded to a social media post and Honey was treated to several truck rides, honoring her late owner's memory. She also reunited with the owner's family for her final ride and enjoyed her favorite special treats, surrounded by love in her final days.

Today we talk about Project Yaren - I visit with Stephanie Hajducek of Enbridge, who works on the project and is a member of Enbridge’s community engagement team. We discuss the blue ammonia project planned in Ingleside.

Things we cover in the interview:
- why build a blue ammonia plant at the current oil terminal? 
- Uses of ammonia 
- When plant will be built
- Involvement in community, answering citizens questions
- What’s being done to ensure the community is protected?
- Where to go for more about this project