Miranda Lambert has been a formidable force in country music since 2001, when she released her self-titled debut album. Eleven albums later, though her songs can have a vengeful edge, her love for animals has been at the forefront of her charitable efforts.
In 2009, Lambert and her mother started the MuttNation foundation to help rescue animals and their shelters, raising over $10 million since its inception. On Oct. 6, Lambert took the stage at Ascend Amphitheater to raise awareness and funds for her foundation and Hurricane Helene relief efforts. All ticket and merchandise sales benefited people and animals in need. Lambert made every donation count, treating attendees to performances by household names like HARDY, Riley Green, Dan + Shay, Little Big Town and many more.
Jake Worthington kicked off the star-studded night with a Hank Williams-inspired performance. His voice exuded the signature Nashville sound, and his setlist was grounded in storytelling, featuring songs like “Honky Tonk Crowd” and “Next New Thing.”
With his Texan voice and enthusiasm for the show ,Worthington was entertaining to watch. He ended his set with a tip of his hat and exited as the band played the last final notes of the song. But that would not be the last time we would hear his classic voice — he was set to return a couple more times throughout the night.
Lambert’s opening theme was one of velocity. Like the high-speed red wagon car on stage, Lambert revved up Ascend Amphitheater with the heavy rock ballad “Fastest Girl in Town” and kept the energy high with the fire-fueling “Kerosene.” A “dee-vorc-ee” song is how the Country Icon Award recipient described “Alimony,” a song about getting money from your ex-husband. Lambert started the show on a bitter, angry and slightly sassy note. But beneath the attitude, this was no ordinary concert.
“Tonight we are singing for the dogs — all the dogs in the world,” Lambert said. “I sent out messages and said, ‘Come sing for the doggies with me,’ and there was no hesitation… so thank you for spending your money tonight for some really good causes.”
Lambert’s passion for dogs wasn’t a one-time display — it was evident throughout the entire concert. Two hand-embroidered dog patches featuring Carter Brown and Dixie, her own pups, adorned her bedazzled outfit. During “Automatic,” a song about growing up in small-town Texas, a slideshow of photos from Lambert’s life played, many showing her as a little girl with dogs. The lyrics “I bet you didn’t know under that live oak / My favorite dog is buried in the yard” from “The House That Built Me” took on a new, emotional meaning and were visibly heart-wrenching for the country crooner.
Although concert ticket sales went toward MuttNation, Lambert also acknowledged the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, which impacted much of the Southeast. She pledged to donate a portion of the proceeds to support the affected victims and communities.
“So many people are still in need — so many animals,” Lambert said.
MuttNation Rescues Fund has already raised $100,000 toward disaster relief in collaboration with Tractor Supply.
One of the affected communities, Asheville, North Carolina, was also the next stop for Riley Green’s now-canceled show. In response, The “Different ‘Round Here” singer called Lambert, asking “to sing a song or do anything to help out.” Immediate screams followed when Lambert introduced him to the crowd.
“The girls are going nuts,” Lambert said. “I knew that would happen.”
Green has recently gained attention on TikTok for his deep vocal tone and hunky appearance. But he left a lasting impression that night with his heartfelt acoustic rendition of “I Wish Grandpas Never Died” with Lambert.
Along with MuttNation, Lambert also co-founded the music label Big Loud Texas (BLT).
“Big Loud Texas’ mission is to keep the outlaw movement going and keep the great stuff in the great state of Texas out there for the people,” Lambert said.
Exuding her inner Texan, Lambert served cheeky lyrics and gritty vocals. Her staunch glare and smirk during “Gunpowder and Lead” topped off the whole performance. The audience was all too receptive to Lambert’s confident and comedic demeanor with hits like “Little Red Wagon” and “Tequila Does.” Her duo with BLT artist Jake Worthington on “Hello Sh**ty Day” sealed the deal.
“My manager sent me a song, and she said, ‘I got this song today, and I thought you would love it cause it’s called ‘Dog Years,’ and I said, ‘Well, I love anything about a dog — I love anything about a song about a dog, and I listened to it and, of course, bawled,” Lambert said.
The unreleased song “Dog Days” was written by HARDY and reminisces about old love. Lambert and HARDY’s voices meshed beautifully for a pull-at-your-heartstrings moment.
To round out the guest list, Little Big Town took the stage, taking us back to the “Boondocks” and a “Little White Church.” Their rich harmonies elevated the performance, making it even harder for me to leave the amphitheater.
The night was filled with passion for a cause, a love of country music and deep emotion. Lambert made clear her love of dogs and country music, and seeing so many artists unite in support of a great cause was heartwarming.
