Just ten days after the disaster struck on September 26, Combs and Church announced an all-star concert featuring Billy Strings and the beloved James Taylor. They continued to add talented artists to the lineup, including Keith Urban, Sheryl Crow, Bailey Zimmerman, and fellow North Carolinians Scotty McCreery, Chase Rice, the Avett Brothers, and Parmalee.
It was a striking irony that the Concert for Carolina, a benefit organized by Luke Combs and Eric Church for Hurricane Helene relief, faced a nearly two-hour delay due to severe weather. Attendees were sent to shelter in the concourse at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers.
Originally scheduled to start at 5 p.m., the concert finally kicked off around 7 p.m. Once it began, the fast-paced show continued until 1 a.m., raising an incredible $24.5 million for storm-ravaged western North Carolina. This success was bolstered by donations from Panthers and stadium owners David and Nicole Tepper, who provided the venue, along with vendors donating all proceeds from concessions, merchandise, and parking.
The concert was also live-streamed for free to the affected areas, bringing communities together to experience the incredible fundraising event.
One user on X shared:
“At a neighborhood block party, surrounded by uprooted trees and condemned houses with no power, streaming the #ConcertForCarolina on a generator with BBQ and community.”
Attendees shared their excitement as Randy Travis and his wife, Mary, made a surprise appearance to support the cause. Nicole Kidman also delighted the crowd with a brief onstage appearance alongside her husband, Keith Urban.
Eric Church, a Granite Falls, North Carolina native, announced an inspiring plan to build 100 new homes for hurricane victims in Avery County. Titled “Blueprint for the Blue Ridge,” the project will be funded through Church’s Chief Cares Fund.
Artists who took part in the event expressed their heartfelt gratitude for being included in this historic concert. Chase Rice, a North Carolina native, shared that just a day before the concert, he visited his hometown of Fairview and witnessed the devastation firsthand. In an Instagram post, Rice recounted sharing his experience with the concert crowd before performing “Carolina Can.” He reflected, “It was the toughest time I’ve ever had getting through that song. This morning, I’m filled with sorrow for what they’ve been through, but gratitude for what the folks in Carolina just taught me in the last couple of days.”
Keith Urban expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “When Eric or Luke call, I say yes!! A huge shoutout to @lukecombs, @ericchurchmusic, and everyone involved in making @concertforcarolina a phenomenal success. Over $24.5 million raised (and counting!!) 💪”
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Other highlights included a performance of “Carolina In My Mind” by James Taylor and his son, Henry.
See the moment Eric Church turned Bank of America Stadium Carolina blue in the clip below.
@jay_man2424 Concert for carolina – Eric Church #ericchurch #concertforcarolina #lukecombs #carolina #northcarolina #hurricanehelene #baileyzimmerman #carolinapanthers #bankofamericastadium ♬ original sound – Jason