The country music stars Luke Combs and Eric Church really stepped up for their fellow Americans, raising over $24.5 million for Hurricane Helene victims through their Concert for Carolina on Saturday.
Combs And Church Step up
Over 82,000 attended this massive concert event. It featured performances from James Taylor, Keith Urban, Sheryl Crow, Billy Strings, Bailey Zimmerman, Scotty McCreery, Chase Rice, The Avett Brothers, and Parmalee. It also included surprise appearances by Nicole Kidman and Randy Travis.
Amazingly, Combs and Church managed to organize this concert in less than a month. It took place at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it was hosted by ESPN’s Marty Smith and Barstool Sports’ Caleb Pressley.
Just to get all those stars together was a Herculean effort. To do it in short order and so successfully is a testament to the care they put into it.
During the concert, Church revealed that Chief Cares will be building 100 houses for North Carolinians whose homes were devastated by Hurricane Helene.
“I come from the mountains of North Carolina,” Church said. “It’s what made me. It’s my home. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it weren’t for the people there and the influence they had on me. I wouldn’t make the music that I make if it weren’t for the people there and the influence they had on me.”
“When Hurricane Helene happened, it devastated those communities,” he continued. “These are hard-working, poor communities that rely on each other. And any time a community needs help, it’s always the community next door that comes running in to help. And there are no communities next door. They’ve all been devastated.”
‘I Hope It’s A Lot Of Homes’
That’s why Church, who hails from Granite Falls, North Carolina, felt like he needed to step in.
“So we made it our mission at Chief Cares that we’re going to be the community next door,” Church explained. “We’ve come up with a plan called Blueprint for the Blue Ridge. We’re going to put 100 families in homes that have lost their homes in Avery County and the surrounding areas — one of the worst hit areas.”
“In an area that I spent half of my years, an area I’ve had a lot of inspiration and gained a lot of inspiration, in an area I’ve made five records in,” he added. “And we’re going to go and keep those people in their community, put a roof over their heads, let them interact with their community, let them be a part of their community, and let them help rebuild the community.”
Church concluded by saying that he hopes these 100 homes are only the beginning. We can only agree.
“I hope it’s a lot of homes,” he said. “A lot more than 100 homes. I hope it’s about building the businesses and building the community back. That’s what we’re committing to at Chief Cares and we would love your help.”
Watch some highlights from the concert in the video below.
Related: Country Star Morgan Wallen Steps Up With $500,000 Donation to Help Victims Of Hurricane Helene
Combs Hails ‘Monumental Effort’
Combs, who comes from Asheville, North Carolina, thanked everyone who helped organize it.
“It’s been a monumental effort on so many people’s lives to make this show happen,” he said, adding that “28 days ago, we put together this show that should have taken a year and a half to put together.”
“I wanted to have a good time tonight. I knew I wanted you all to have a good time tonight. But I knew also that I couldn’t ignore the gravity of the situation that we’re all in,” Combs said. “I haven’t been up that mountain yet myself. I have so many friends and family who are here tonight who live every day of their lives up that hill. And the things that I’ve seen, the things that I have heard are beyond words. And I think that there are a lot of you in this crowd who know that tonight.”
“I know my parents are at home watching, and I know that so many of my friends and family are at home who aren’t here with us tonight,” he continued. “And I don’t know what else to say other than I love you guys. I love North Carolina. I love where I come from.”
After it was revealed that the benefit concert had raised over $24.5 million, Combs and Church closed things out with a performance of their song, “Does To Me.”
We applaud Combs and Church for stepping up to help victims of Hurricane Helene in such a beautiful way. Please join us in saying a prayer for all those impacted by this hurricane!
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