Luke Combs, Eric Church talk Hurricane Helene relief concert
North Carolina natives Eric Church and Luke Combs are opening up about their "Concert For Carolina" benefit concert aimed at helping communities recover in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
The benefit show, which is planned for Oct. 26 at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, will feature performances from Church, Combs, James Taylor, Billy Strings and more. All proceeds will go to Hurricane Helene rescue efforts in the Carolinas, according to a release. The show is presented by two organizations, Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority.
As for why this cause is so important to him, Church told "Good Morning America" on Tuesday that "it's very simply: who I am, North Carolina made."
"I wouldn't be who I am today if not for the people there and the community there. To see this happen to them, to that community, to those people, is especially devastating," he continued. "Luke and I are doing everything we can to try to help that out. For me, it's in the very DNA of what made me, me."
Combs told "GMA" that after seeing the devastation Helene left in its wake, Church was "the first guy I called."
"I know how much our state means to him and to myself and I knew that he would be willing to do whatever it took to help out," he explained. "I had this crazy idea to do a show at Bank of America [Stadium]. I think it's gonna be a really special night."
Combs teased more names will be added to the list of performers for "Concert For Carolina" but that he wanted "to play that close to the chest and not give all our secrets away."
"But I promise it will be a once-in-a-lifetime kind of concert," he vowed. "I'm real excited and proud to be a part of it."
Church took to Instagram on Monday to expand on his involvement in the show.
"This is my home. It's in every fiber of who I am. Our family members, friends, neighbors and communities are in dire need," Church wrote. "I'm honored to share the stage with an incredible lineup in order to help meet those needs. Through the dark, light will shine."
Combs also posted about the concert, writing, "I told y'all I had something big planned for Carolina. One of the ways we're helping is a benefit concert at Bank of America Stadium on Oct. 26th! This concert took so much planning, work, and coordination from so many people. I'm so thankful to everyone who helped make this a possibility on such short notice."
Strings shared on Instagram that he was "honored" to join the group helping victims of the hurricane. Taylor, who will join the headlining group, has an obvious connection to the Carolinas with his classic song "Carolina in My Mind."
Church recently released "Darkest Hour (Helene Edit)" and pledged his publishing royalties to Hurricane Helene relief efforts in his home state.
Proceeds from "Concert For Carolina" will be split evenly between Church's Chief Cares and Combs' organizations of choice, which include Samaritan's Purse, Manna Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC and one more charity to be announced.
Chief Cares is "focused on helping established charities and organizations that are well managed, organized and can expedite aid directly to the families affected by Hurricane Helene," according to its site.
