Big Country Unites at 2026 West Texas Rehab Telethon

For nearly five decades, the West Texas Rehab Telethon has been a heartbeat of hope across West Texas, and as for me, it’s been part of my life since 1979. I’ve broadcast live from this event for more than four decades, interviewing performers, doctors, nurses, volunteers, and the incredible patients whose stories remind us why the Rehab Center exists.

And now, it’s time again to come together as a community to help those who are recovering and needing help.

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Join the Telethon Live at the Abilene Convention Center

Mark your calendar: Saturday, January 31, 2026, the 56th Annual Rehab Telethon & Auction takes over the Abilene Convention Center.

This year, you can watch the live show in person, walk through the auction display, and experience the energy of one of the most meaningful nights in West Texas. Trust me, after all these years of being part of it, there’s nothing like seeing the Rehab family come together under one roof.

Auction Goes Live December 19, Download the HandBid App Now

The annual Rehab Auction opens December 19, 2025, and the bidding wars will be fierce.
If you want a shot at the best items, download the HandBid app now so you’ll be ready the moment it opens.

As my friend Karla Brown, Director of Donor Relations, reminds us:
“Proceeds from the telethon and auction provide care to over 850 patients daily, regardless of financial circumstances. Together, we raise over $1 million annually to support the West Texas Rehabilitation Center’s mission.”

That mission touches every family in West Texas, whether you’re born with a challenge, recovering from an accident, heart attack, stroke, or just learning to walk or talk again. The Rehab Center has always been there for us.

Live Performances You Don’t Want to Miss

This year’s stage is loaded with Texas talent:

Aaron Watson - Texas country superstar
Annie Bosko - one of country music’s fastest-rising new voices
Jake Hooker & The Outsiders - delivering that classic Texas sound
Red Steagall & The Boys in the Bunkhouse - true legends
Host: Charlie Chase - beloved star of Crook & Chase

Special segments with Jennifer Douglas Smith, ESPN Rodeo Reporter

I’ll also be sharing music videos from Aaron Watson, Annie Bosko, and Jake Hooker in the article so listeners can connect with the artists before Telethon night.

Why This Night Matters to Me, and to West Texas

Since 1979, I’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand how the Rehab changes lives.
From interviewing the surgeons and therapists who work miracles every day, to meeting the families who walk through their doors searching for hope, this event is woven into the fabric of who we are in the Big Country.

The West Texas Rehabilitation Center isn’t just a facility, it’s a family. It’s where West Texans go when life changes everything overnight.

And go to view all that’s why we show up every year.

More Coverage Coming Soon

Stay tuned, after the auction goes live, I’ll be publishing a full article featuring all of this year’s auction items, complete with photos and highlights, so everyone knows what they’ll be bidding on.