Inside THE BIG GOOD’S Big Musical Night For North Texas Fundraising

River Ranch Stockyards Was The Setting Of The Fourth Annual Texas-Size Celebration, Raising Over $2 Million

By Rob Giardinelli     Photography by David Ellis, Olaf Growald, and Tracy Lightly Photography

THE SCENE: The River Ranch Stockyards in Fort Worth was the setting for one of North Texas’ most fun and successful spring fundraising events. Over 450 of North Texas’s most notable community leaders, advocates, sociables, and philanthropists turned out for the fourth annual THE BIG GOOD. The event has quickly become a must-attend event of the spring, and this year’s event took things to a whole new level for the organization and its beneficiaries.

THE VIBE: The chic Western-clad crowd featured patrons donning an array of thematic attire. In the crowd, one could spot a variety of denim, leather, and cowboy hats, which created a fun and festive environment for all who attended.

The night began with an exclusive meet-and-greet, where VIPs mixed with event hosts and the night’s entertainment. After that, guests headed to a fun cocktail hour, where, after cozying up to the bar to obtain their favorite spirit of choice, they mingled and perused the impressive collection of silent and live auction items up for bid during the evening.

Revelers then took their seats for the evening’s main program. Andy Roddick served as emcee, keeping the festivities flowing at a fun, brisk pace throughout the night. As guests dined on their multi-course meals, they were treated to words from the event’s leaders and community leaders, including Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, as well as touching video tributes highlighting the positive impact THE BIG GOOD and its beneficiary partners have had on the North Texas community.

Next, Heath Hale of Cowboy Auctioneer helmed a spirited live auction. Paddles went up as donors bid on an array of luxury experiences, with a luxury South African Safari, a day with Leon Bridges in Fort Worth, tickets to Wimbledon, and a culinary collaboration between top Fort Worth chefs emerging as the most popular.

The night was capped off with musical performances by acclaimed musicians Charley Crockett and Maggie Rogers. Each belted out sets that featured a mix of their best-known and new material, along with duets featuring the THE BIG GOOD co-host and acclaimed music himself, Leon Bridges. The musical sets brought the crowd to their feet, capping off another unforgettable evening for one of Fort Worth’s and North Texas’s most acclaimed and successful fundraising events.

THE NON-PROFIT: The fourth annual THE BIG GOOD, hosted by Leon Bridges with  Gary and Kelsey Patterson, raised over $2 million for THE BIG GOOD. Proceeds raised from this year’s THE BIG GOOD will benefit four non-profits that provide services for critical needs in the North Texas area, including the Tarrant To & Through Partnership, Tarrant Area Food Bank, United Community Centers, and UpSpire.