When country stars rally, they bring more than just music—they bring hope, especially when the community needs it most. Last Saturday, country music heavyweights Luke Bryan, Eric Church, and other top names turned Charlotte into the stage for Concert for Carolina, a benefit that raised a jaw-dropping $24.5 million for Hurricane Helene victims. With all proceeds earmarked for relief efforts across the Southeast, the event became a lifeline for thousands hit by the devastating storm, which left over 230 dead and countless families without homes.
Eric Church, the North Carolina native himself, took to the stage not just to sing but to make a profound impact. Through his Chief Cares Foundation, Church announced a groundbreaking initiative called Blueprint for the Blue Ridge, a commitment to rebuild 100 homes in Avery County and nearby communities, some of the hardest-hit areas. “This is an area that’s shaped my music, my career, my life,” Church shared, his voice tinged with emotion. “We’re not just building houses; we’re keeping people in their communities, helping them stay rooted, and giving them the chance to rebuild alongside their friends and neighbors.”
Luke Combs and Eric Church’s Concert Raises $24M for Hurricane Helene Victims#countrymusicnews #countrythangdaily https://t.co/FGQk1IyGeh
— Country Thang Daily (@CountryThangFB) October 29, 2024
Alongside Church, Luke Combs, another North Carolina native, teamed up to bring this vision to life. The two friends quickly moved from shock to action after Hurricane Helene tore through the region, with Combs saying, “The morning after, I called Eric and said, ‘Let’s do a show. Let’s pool our resources and help in a way only we can.’” That call set everything into motion, culminating in a concert that felt as much about resilience as it did about music.
Country musicians Luke Combs and Eric Church share hometown mountain memories before introducing the gentleman who wrote the song “Helene” who then plays it live during concert in Charlotte, North Carolina.
~82,000 people were in attendance and they raised $24 Million to be put… pic.twitter.com/yreLeDohPl
— Frank Fighting For Freedom 🇺🇸 (@thinktankfranks) October 28, 2024
And the stars certainly came out for this one. James Taylor, Keith Urban, Billy Strings, and more took the stage, while behind the scenes, artists like Dolly Parton, Jason Aldean, and Morgan Wallen made their own hefty donations to hurricane relief efforts. Even Metallica joined the cause, announcing a $100,000 contribution, proving that the event drew support from all corners of the music industry. Urban summed up the sentiment perfectly on X (formerly Twitter): “When Eric or Luke call, I say yes! Huge shoutout to @lukecombs, @ericchurch, and everyone involved in making Concert For Carolina a phenomenal success.”
when Eric or Luke call I say yes !! A huge shoutout to @lukecombs, @ericchurch, and everyone involved in making Concert For Carolina a phenomenal success . Over $24.5 million raised (and counting !!) 💪
Nic and I also wanna thank all the crew / volunteers and everyone behind… pic.twitter.com/IAjBBfspYm
— Keith Urban (@KeithUrban) October 27, 2024
The proceeds are set to be divided between Combs’ and Church’s foundations, with Combs’ portion going to groups like Samaritan’s Purse and Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, ensuring that the aid reaches the people who need it most.
Awesome NC country writer/singer @ScottyMcCreery helped raise hope, praise, spirits and funds for those in need of support from Hurricane Helene. 🙏🇺🇸💪🎶🎤🎸 https://t.co/1908Rtuv64
— BaltimoreJanet 🇺🇸🦀 (@BaltimoreJanet) October 27, 2024
Both Combs and Church spoke about the shock they felt seeing the hurricane’s destruction up close in areas they’ve called home. “It’s disbelief,” Church said. “This isn’t just any place. It’s as much home as Nashville.” For Church and Combs, Saturday’s concert was more than a fundraising event—it was a message of hope and rebuilding, a reminder that when disaster strikes, country music knows how to rally, bringing communities together for the long haul.