During the 2024 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards on Wednesday night, singer Eric Church performed a touching tribute for the victims of Hurricane Helene.
Church Performs For Hurricane Helene Victims At CMAs
After being introduced by his fellow country music star Luke Combs, Church took the stage to perform his powerful song “Darkest Hour” at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Church told The Tennessean that he performed this song for the “unsung heroes” who “show up when the world’s falling apart.”
“I played ‘Darkest Hour’ at the CMA Awards to maintain the power of what music can do as a banner and anthem for assistance in the real world,” Church said.
“In America, we tend to move on from things quickly, so we’re continuing to focus on the people of North Carolina, who will need help for a long time,” he added. “Raising awareness for the problems they will continue to face will allow them to receive assistance.”
Church went on to say that he doesn’t want anyone to forget that Hurricane Helene victims are still struggling.
“In this country, we’re good at initially providing people in need with food, water, and diapers,” Church explained. “But we’re not so good at entirely rebuilding communities.”
“When you’re not a developer and taking on the project of trying to build 100 homes in Western North Carolina, it’s an emotional and time-consuming process. I’m working 15 hours a day to use the funds raised by (the “Concert for Carolina”),” he continued. “This is the busiest I’ve ever been in my life because every day that we don’t have a home built, I feel the pressure of the people who are still in tents and shelters who need to be back in homes.”
Fans were quick to say that Church “sounded like an angel” during his CMAs performance. Check it out for yourself below.
CMAs Producer Is ‘So Proud’ Of Church
Robert Deaton, who has executive produced the CMAs since 2007, said before the show that the performance was Church’s idea.
“This one is really dear to my heart, and for a number of reasons. I am so proud of him,” Deaton told The Hollywood Reporter of Church. “We love our state and we love our people. And I am so proud of him and Luke Combs because what happened in Asheville, North Carolina, and that whole region is devastating. It’s Katrina-level.”
“Eric and I started talking and he’s recorded this song, ‘Darkest Hour,’ and he has given all the proceeds, for perpetuity, to the citizens of North Carolina,” he continued. “And Eric asked me what were the chances of him doing it at the CMA Awards — and again, no brilliance on my part, I just had to be smart enough to say yes. It’s more than just a performance for us. This is who we are. This is where we’re from. And hopefully we can raise more awareness because this is not going away.”
Church Raises $24.5 Million For Hurricane Helene Victims
Immediately after Hurricane Helene, Church teamed up with Combs to raise $24.5 million for Hurricane Helene victims through their Concert for Carolina. During the concert last month, 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.”
Full Story: Country Stars Luke Combs And Eric Church Raise Over $24.5 Million For Hurricane Victims
This is 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.”
Check out some highlights from the concert in the video below.
God bless Church for continuing to do whatever it takes to help Hurricane Helene victims. Please join us in saying a prayer for all those impacted by Hurricane Helene!
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