Country superstars came together and raised tens of millions of dollars at a benefit concert for the victims of Hurricane Helene.
The Concert For Carolina, held in Charlotte on Saturday, raised $24.5 million dollars to help those in the southeastern states affected by the devastating hurricane that hit the area last month, Fox News reported.
The event was put on by North Carolina country singers Luke Bryan and Eric Church — who were joined by such stars as James Taylor, Billy Strings, Keith Urban, and more — with 100% of the proceeds going to help those hurt by the hurricane that left more than 230 dead.
During the concert, Church announced that, through his Chief Cares Foundation, 100 homes were also being donated to those in need, the outlet noted.
“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,” the singer said. “In an area that I spent half of my years, an area I’ve had a lot of inspiration and gained a lot of inspiration, in an area I’ve made five records in. And we’re going to go and keep those people in their community, put a roof over their heads, let them interact with their community, let them be a part of their community, and let them help rebuild the community.”
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
Church and Combs previously announced that all proceeds from the show would be split 50/50 between Combs and Church’s foundation, WCNC noted. Combs’ portion will be distributed among relief groups like Samaritan’s Purse and Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, Fox News noted.
The concert also follows massive personal donations from country superstars like Dolly Parton, Jason Aldean, and Morgan Wallen to aid with hurricane relief efforts. The heavy metal rock band Metallica also announced they were contributing $100,000 to help those in the area.
Church and Combs previously spoke to Billboard about a conversation the two singers had in the aftermath of the hurricane — a conversation that ultimately led to Saturday’s concert.
Combs — who went to Appalachian State University — said the morning after the hurricane hit, both of them “were just inundated with calls and texts and pictures and images from the areas.”
“I called Eric and was like, ‘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,’” Combs said. “Let’s do what we do best and help in the way that is best suited to my abilities and Eric’s abilities’ and I think we’re doing that.”
“It was disbelief,” Church said. “These are areas that I knew and then I saw the photos and I didn’t recognize these areas. My family spends half the year in Banner Elk.”
“That’s as much home as Nashville is,” he added. “It was just this shock of I know what I’m supposed to be looking at, but that doesn’t look anything like what it looked like a week ago. I don’t think I’ve come to grips with it yet.”
Related: Country Stars Unite For Benefit Concert For Hurricane Victims
