MODERNIZE: This story was updated Tuesday (October 15) with live streaming details.
When Luke Combs and Eric Church saw the devastation wrought by September's Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina, where they both grew up, they had the same reaction as the rest of America.
“It was disbelief,” says Church Bulletin board on Oct 8 “These are areas I knew and then I saw the pictures and didn't recognize those areas. My family spends half the year in Banner Elk. This is as much home as Nashville. It was just this shock that I know what I should be looking at, but this is nothing like what it looked like a week ago. I don't think I've made it yet.”
Combs, who went to college at Appalachian State University in the mountain town of Boone, had the same reaction. The morning after the hurricane hit, “As soon as we both woke up, we were flooded with calls and messages and photos and images from the areas,” 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 pool our resources.”
The result is Concert for Carolina, a Hurricane Helene relief benefit the couple announced Oct. 7 and will take place Oct. 26 at Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina. The couple will be joined by son James Taylor from North Carolina as well as bluegrass superstar Billy Strings. Since the official announcement, several other artists have joined the bill, including Keith Urban, Sheryl Crow, Bailey Zimmerman and North Carolina natives The Avett Brothers, Scotty McCreery, Chase Rice and Parmalee.
Additionally, after the show quickly sold out, the concert will now be streamed live worldwide via Veeps. The live stream will be free for those affected by Hurricane Helene, as Concert for Carolina and the Veeps have used geo-targeting to ensure those in affected areas are not charged. For those not directly affected, the live stream will cost $24.99 with an option available for additional donations. All money raised from the live stream will go to the charities of Combs and Church's choosing.
While Combs' immediate instinct was to go to the area and help, he quickly pivoted and thought, “Let's do what we do best and help in the way that best suits my abilities and Eric's abilities,” and I think we're doing that.” While Church similarly has yet to visit the area because of their ties to Banner Elk, his wife and a team have boots on the ground helping organize relief efforts.
The couple immediately thought of asking Taylor to join them for October 26. “Growing up in North Carolina, 'Going to Carolina in My Mind' is a song that I would always leave the state to, no matter where I was in the world. , it reminded me of the state,” says Church. “I said [to Luke]”We need to catch James in this.” So I set out to make it my mission. It wasn't the easiest mission I've done.”
Church was eventually contacted about Taylor's day-to-day manager by Joe Walsh. “I called her myself and we had about a 20-minute conversation, and I basically said, 'Carolina in My Mind' is going to be played that night at the stadium either him or me, and I hope it's him. “
Combs arrived at Strings. “Billy and I have known each other for a few years and he's just had his first child and he's got a million things going on, but I know this part of the country is near and dear to him,” she says. “His fan base is very rooted in this part of the world and he was thrilled to be able to help.”
All proceeds from the event will be split evenly between Combs' philanthropic efforts and the Church's Chief Cares Foundation to steward to organizations they choose to support relief efforts throughout the Carolinas and the Southeast.
Combs and Church wouldn't say how much they hope to raise, but add that all the artists are playing for free, with Combs donating his production, and they hope more companies will also come forward by providing services and donations. “The key is that this is not going to be a one-, two- or three-month build. It will be a multi-year build,” says Church. “This is not a sprint, it's a marathon. We need to have organizational plans that can help us over the next 12, 24 or even 48 months.”
The concert for Carolina will be done by ESPN's Marty Smith and Barstool SportsCaleb Pressley and presented by Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. tickets went on sale on Thursday (October 10) at 10am. ET at Concert for Carolina website and sold out quickly. The website also states that a raffle and auction will be held soon.
In addition, Church released new song “Darkest Hour” on October 4th and is signing over all publishing rights from the song to North Carolinians affected by the disaster.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/country/luke-combs-eric-church-hurricane-helene-relief-concert-interview-1235796031/
