“Let’s do what we do best”

When Luke Combs and Eric Church saw the destruction wrought by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina, where they both grew up, they reacted just like the rest of America.

“It was disbelief,” Church says billboard Tuesday (October 8th). “These are areas I knew and then I saw the photos and didn’t recognize these areas. My family spends half the year in Banner Elk. This is as much home as Nashville. It was just this shock, I know what I was supposed to see, but this doesn't look anything like it did a week ago. I don’t think I’ve gotten a handle on it yet.”

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Combs, who attended Appalachian State University in the mountain town of Boone, had the same reaction. The morning after the hurricane, “as soon as we both woke up, we were inundated with calls, texts, pictures and pictures from the area,” he says. “I called Eric and said, 'Hey, let's figure out how to do a show.' I don't know when, I don't know where. We'll worry about that later, but let's just pool our resources.'”

The result is “Concert for Carolina,” a benefit concert for Hurricane Helene relief that the two announced on Monday (October 7) and will take place on October 26 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina . The couple is joined by North Carolina native son James Taylor and bluegrass superstar Billy Strings. More artists will be announced soon as both Combs and Church are going through their phones and artists are reaching out asking to join.

While Combs' immediate instinct was to go to the area and help, he quickly turned around and thought, “'Let's do what we do best and help in the way that works best.' My skills and Eric's skills,' and I think that's what we're doing.' of relief measures.

The couple immediately thought of asking Taylor to be there on October 26th. “Growing up in North Carolina, 'Going to Carolina in My Mind' is a song that reminds me of the state every time I leave the state, no matter where I am in the world,” says Church. “I said (to Luke), 'We have to get James to do it.' So I set out to make it my mission. It wasn't the easiest mission I've ever done.'”

Church was eventually put in touch with Taylor's day-to-day manager by Joe Walsh. “I called them myself and we talked for about 20 minutes, and I basically said, 'Carolina in My Mind' is being played at the stadium that night by either him or me, and I hope it's him.” .” ”

Combs turned to Strings. “Me and Billy have known each other for a few years and he just had his first child and he has a million things to do, but I know he cares about this part of the country,” he says. “His fan base has strong roots in this part of the world and he was just excited to be able to help.”

All proceeds from the event will be split equally between Combs' charities and the church's Chief Cares Foundation for distribution to organizations they select to support relief efforts in the Carolinas and the Southeast.

Combs and Church won't say how much they hope to raise, but add that all artists will play for free, Combs will donate his production and they hope other companies will join in to offer services and donations. “The key is that it won’t be a one-, two- or three-month build. The construction will take years,” says Church. “It's not a sprint, it's a marathon. We need to have organizational plans that we can support over the next 12, 24 or even 48 months.”

The concert for Carolina will be hosted by Marty Smith and ESPN Bar stool sports' Caleb Pressley and presented by Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. Tickets go on sale Thursday (October 10) at 10 a.m. ET on the Concert for Carolina website. The website also states that a raffle and auction will be held soon.

Additionally, Church released the new song “Darkest Hour” on October 4th and is transferring all of his royalties from the song's release to the people of North Carolina affected by the disaster.

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