Some of the top names in country music are using their talents to help mountain communities devastated by Helene.
Luke Combs, Eric Church, Billy Strings and James Taylor will perform at “Concert For Carolina,” which will be a benefit show presented by Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Agency.
Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban and Bailey Zimmerman will also perform at the benefit show, organizers with Tepper Sports & Entertainment said Wednesday.
The event is set for Saturday, Oct. 26 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Tickets for the show will go on sale Oct. 10 at 10 a.m. Eastern time.
The profits from the concert, including sponsorships, will be split 50/50 between Church’s and Combs' Chief Cares Fund, which is focusing all its charitable efforts on helping those affected by Helene, especially those in western North Carolina, according to a press release from Tepper Sports and Entertainment.
Eric Church and Luke Combs are both from North Carolina.
Combs' half of the profits will be given to Manna Food Bank, Samaritan’s Purse, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC and another organization that has not been announced yet.
Church’s half will help establish organizations and charities that can speed up the aid given to the families affected by Helene, the release said.
When the four artists heard of the devastation in western North Carolina, a place they all hold dear to their hearts, they knew they had to do something to help. Combs called David Tepper, the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Football Club and Bank of America Stadium owner, and his wife Nicole Tepper and asked them for help.
“When Luke first approached us with the idea for a concert benefiting relief efforts in the region [western North Carolina], we felt compelled to open the doors of Bank of America Stadium for this special moment. Every day, we are more inspired by the strength and resolve of our Carolina community, and we are grateful to join Luke, Eric and our fellow Carolinians as we embark on the road to recovery together,” David and Nicole Tepper said in the release.
Church also penned a song entitled "Darkest Hour" with proceeds going toward helping Helene victims.
“Concert for Carolina” is accepting donations from those who cannot attend this special event. Donations can also be given to The North Carolina Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund.
Other Relief Efforts
While celebrities have answered the call for help, companies around the Carolinas are offering up funding and resources to aid communities in rebuilding efforts.
Hendrick Automotive Group, Sonic Automotove, Hendrick Motorsports and Speedway Motorsports are coming together and donating a combined $2 million to Samritian's Purse to support the relief efforts in western North Carolina, according to a press release from Hendrick Automotive Group.
Last week, Speedway Motorsports delivered over 400 pallets of donated goods to North Wilkesboro Speedway to be distributed to devastated areas. Hendrick Motorsports and Hendrick Automotive Group deployed its aircraft and completed over 100 missions supporting search and rescue efforts and delivering food, water and other supplies since Sept 28.
