Luke Combs & Eric Church Raises $24M Hurricane Aid

The Concert for Relief

The Concert for Carolina, held on October 26 at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium, was an epic event put together by Eric Church and Luke Combs. It was all about raising money for those hit hard by Hurricane Helene, with country music stars showing up in full force.

Fans packed the stadium for an unforgettable night of great music, all to support the hurricane victims. With Church and Combs at the helm, the concert was a perfect example of how music can bring people together for a good cause.

A Proud Voice of North Carolina

Luke Combs, a proud North Carolinian, got his start singing in school and performing in local bars in Boone. His deep ties to the state have always been a part of his journey.

Even after moving to Nashville, Combs keeps coming back for big moments, like his 2021 stadium show at Appalachian State and selling out back-to-back nights at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium.

Deep Ties to North Carolina

Eric Church, originally from Granite Falls, kicked off his music career with local gigs in Western North Carolina before heading to Nashville. He continues to split his time between Tennessee and North Carolina with his family.

Church’s connection to the state is strong, he recorded Heart & Soul in Banner Elk and was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. He also received the North Carolina Award, the state’s highest civilian honor, and has always remained proud of his North Carolina roots.

Charity is Priority

The Concert for Carolina saw stars prioritizing the cause, with The Avett Brothers even canceling their own arena show to be part of the benefit. Keith Urban also made it a special night, spending his birthday helping raise funds for those affected by Hurricane Helene.

To make it even more memorable, Urban’s wife, Nicole Kidman, joined him on stage to wish him a happy birthday. It was a touching moment that showcased the stars’ commitment to the cause while celebrating a personal milestone.

Star-Studded Lineup Shines at Concert for Carolina

The Concert for Carolina featured a star-studded lineup, with Billy Strings, James Taylor, and North Carolina natives The Avett Brothers, Scotty McCreery, Chase Rice, and Parmalee all joining the show. Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, and Bailey Zimmerman also took the stage alongside Eric Church and Luke Combs.

Hosted by Marty Smith and Caleb Pressley, the event was filled with energy and excitement. It was a night to remember, bringing together incredible artists in support of a great cause.

Randy Travis Honors His Roots

The crowd roared as Randy Travis took the stage with his wife, Mary, a powerful show of his dedication to the cause. Despite being left largely unable to speak by his 2013 stroke, his appearance spoke volumes about how deeply he values his roots.

Mary shared his journey from Marshville, North Carolina, to Nashville, highlighting that Carolina has always been his true home. Randy’s presence was a heartfelt tribute to his enduring roots.

Dolly Parton’s Generosity Shines Through

Even from afar, Dolly Parton still works her magic. The host shared that Dolly pledged $1 million to North Carolina relief efforts, courtesy of the $100 million Bezos’ Courage and Civility Award she received in 2022.

This new donation comes on top of the $1 million she gave a few weeks ago. Her ongoing generosity has been a huge help in pushing the fundraising efforts forward.

Weather Woes Can’t Halt Concert for Carolina

The Concert for Carolina was all set to start on time, but nature had other plans. Within 30 minutes of the scheduled start of the Concert for Carolina, the sky above Bank of America Stadium took a sudden turn for the worse. The storm caused a one-hour delay, leaving fans waiting in anticipation.

After the brief wait, the crowd cheered as the pathways to the seated sections reopened, signaling the show was ready to go on. The weather’s quick change couldn’t stop the excitement that was about to unfold.

Record-Breaking Crowd

The Concert for Carolina drew an impressive crowd of 82,193 attendees , setting a record for the 28-year-old facility. The massive turnout made it one of the largest fundraisers ever held in Charlotte.

It became one of the biggest and most star-studded fundraisers ever held in Charlotte. This epic event was not only a milestone in terms of attendance but also a massive success for the cause.

Concert for Carolina Goes Live

To ensure all fans could experience the show after tickets sold out, “Concert for Carolina” partnered with Veeps to livestream the event. This added another way to raise funds for Hurricane Helene’s relief efforts.

The livestream was free for those impacted by the hurricane, thanks to geotargeting by Veeps. For everyone else, it was available with the option to donate, with all proceeds going to the relief organizations.

Wesko’s ‘Helene’ Moves the Crowd

Luke Combs introduced Wesko, a little-known singer-songwriter from North Carolina, whose song “Helene” caught Combs’ attention on TikTok. The song, which had been used to soundtrack clips of the hurricane’s devastation, struck a chord with Combs.

In an emotional moment during the event, Combs handed the stage and his guitar to Wesko, allowing him to perform the heart-wrenching song. The powerful performance left the audience in awe as it vividly captured the destruction and desperation caused by the hurricane.

‘Darkest Hour’ Donation for Relief

Earlier in October, Eric Church released Darkest Hour in response to the devastation, donating all publishing royalties to the cause. He performed the song at the event, along with other powerful tracks that energized the crowd.

Church wanted to do more than just donate, aiming to raise awareness for the cause. He performed the perfect song for the moment, adding energy to an already electric evening.

Record-Breaking $24.5 Million Raised

The event raised an incredible $24.5 million, all dedicated to helping rebuild mountain communities hit hard by the Sept 27 tropical storm. Everything from the venue and equipment to concert merchandise, drinks, and ticket sales was donated to the cause.

With millions more pouring in, the donations keep rising to support the victims of Hurricane Helene. The generosity of the artists and attendees has been a crucial part of the relief effort.

Philanthropy Beyond the Stage

Eric Church and Luke Combs have consistently used their fame to give back, particularly to their home state of North Carolina. They’ve raised millions for hurricane relief and other important causes.

Both artists are deeply involved in charity work, with Church helping victims of the 2016 North Carolina flooding and Combs supporting food banks and disaster recovery efforts. Their philanthropy goes beyond money, as they leverage their platform to encourage others to make a difference.

Honoring Carolina

The night celebrated North Carolina, with each artist performing a song dedicated to the state. Church and Parmalee sang Carolina , Rice performed Carolina Can , and Taylor brought out Carolina in My Mind .

McCreery’s Carolina to Me got major cheers, and the show ended with Combs and Church leading a finale of Church’s Carolina , joined by Rice, Parmalee, McCreery, Avett Brothers, and Zimmerman. What a way to honor Carolina!

Discover how Eric Church’s Song Honors Hurricane Helene Victims and brings hope to those impacted.

A Night of Music, Unity, and Compassion

The Concert for Carolina raised millions for hurricane relief, with Luke Combs and Eric Church leading the charge. It showcased country music’s commitment to supporting those in need.

More than a concert, it was a celebration of giving back, uniting people during times of crisis. It proved that country music is built on heart, unity, and making a difference.

Get the full story on how Celebrities Unite for Hurricane Relief Efforts to support communities in need.