OFFICIAL RELEASE: Jamal Roberts Honors Over 120 Victims of Texas Floods with Haunting New Tribute Song
In a powerful and deeply personal musical gesture, American Idol 2025 winner and rising country-soul artist Jamal Roberts has released a stirring new tribute track titled “Gone, But Not Forgotten”, paying homage to the 120+ lives lost in the catastrophic Texas floods.
Released early this morning across all major streaming platforms, the song surged to the top of iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube Music charts within the first hour—not due to marketing or momentum, but because of its raw emotion and purpose.
“This isn’t a single meant for charts,” Jamal wrote in a short statement. “It’s a song for the grieving. For every parent missing a child. For every child missing a parent. For Texas.”
A Song Written in the Wake of Tragedy
The floods, which struck Central Texas just two weeks ago, devastated communities, reduced entire neighborhoods to rubble, and left thousands displaced. The confirmed death toll has climbed to 121—with children among the many victims. Jamal Roberts was among the first public figures to take action, volunteering in shelters, distributing supplies, and comforting those who lost everything.
“I met a man who watched his daughter disappear in the water,” Roberts recalled in an earlier interview. “There’s nothing I could say. But maybe a song can carry a part of what can’t be spoken.”
Lyrics That Echo Through Grief
“Gone, But Not Forgotten” is a stripped-down ballad that blends acoustic guitar, orchestral strings, and distant sounds of rain and thunder. Jamal’s voice, fragile and filled with emotion, delivers every lyric like a prayer.
The chorus is already resonating across social media:
“The rain took the house, the street, the light…
But it couldn’t take your name from mine.
You’re gone, but not forgotten.
You still live in every cry.”
Listeners have described the song as “devastatingly honest,” “a hymn for the broken,” and “the most moving song of the year.” Comments and reactions on YouTube and TikTok continue to pour in, with many saying they were moved to tears.
One top comment reads:
“This is more than music. It’s the soul of a community that’s still in mourning.”
All Proceeds Go to Relief and Recovery
In a powerful display of solidarity, Jamal confirmed that 100% of profits from the song will be donated to flood recovery efforts, including mental health support for survivors.
The funds will be directed through The Texas Strong Foundation, a nonprofit with which Roberts has worked closely since the beginning of the disaster response.
“We’ve lost enough,” he said. “Let’s hold onto each other.”
Praise from Artists, Fans, and Leaders Alike
The emotional depth of the song—and Jamal’s selfless response to the crisis—has earned him praise from both the music world and beyond.
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Alan Jackson said: “This is what music is meant to do—give voice to grief when words aren’t enough.”
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Carrie Underwood tweeted: “I’ve always admired Jamal’s talent. Today I admire his heart even more.”
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott released a statement calling the song “a heartfelt tribute and a powerful reminder that even in loss, unity can rise.”
Calls for a Live Performance Grow
Though Roberts has not confirmed any live appearances for the track, sources suggest he may perform it at a flood relief benefit concert in Austin next week.
A Change.org petition titled “Let Texas Hear It Live” has already gained over 25,000 signatures in just a few hours, calling for a televised candlelight performance dedicated to the victims.
More Than a Song — A Promise to Remember
For Jamal Roberts, “Gone, But Not Forgotten” is more than a tribute. It’s a vow—to never forget those who were lost, and to stand by the survivors long after the headlines fade.
“I wrote it for the ones who didn’t get to say goodbye,” he said quietly. “And for the ones who still wake up hoping it was just a nightmare.”
Final Note
As Texas begins to rebuild, Jamal Roberts has offered more than just money or visibility—he’s given a voice to those who are grieving. A song that mourns. A song that heals. A song that holds space for memory, love, and hope.
With “Gone, But Not Forgotten,” Jamal has proven once again that his greatest gift may not be his voice—but what he chooses to use it for.