Country Music Legends To Headline Concert For Hurricane Helene Relief

Several of country music’s biggest stars are coming together for a special concert in North Carolina to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts.

Just two weeks after the tropical storm wreaked havoc across the Southeast, Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority revealed that four big country singers will headline the Concert for Carolina, a charity event to support disaster victims.

The benefit show, which will feature performances from some of the genre's top artists, aims to raise funds and provide much-needed assistance to those impacted by the devastating Hurricane Helene storm.

Set to take place on October 26 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina; the concert will be headlined by Luke Combs, Eric Church, Billy Strings, and James Taylor and hosted by ESPN’s Marty Smith and Barstool Sports’ Caleb Pressley.

Fans are eagerly anticipating the event, which promises to be both a star-studded night of entertainment and a powerful demonstration of community support.

Additional performers are expected to be announced soon.

Last week, Dolly Parton pledged $1 million to aid victims of Hurricane Helene after her home state of Tennessee was among the six states impacted by the disaster.

Morgan Wallen also took to social media to show his support for the victims, acknowledging the devastation in East Tennessee, where catastrophic flooding from the hurricane's remnants has left three people dead and 100 still missing.

Through a partnership between the Morgan Wallen Foundation and Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, a "HELP" campaign has been launched to raise funds and gather food donations for victims of Hurricane Helene in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. The initiative aims to provide much-needed assistance to those affected by the devastating storm.

The newly announced benefit concert holds special significance for the four headlining performers—Luke Combs, Eric Church, Billy Strings, and James Taylor—all of whom have deep roots in North Carolina.

“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 on Instagram. "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 took to social media, telling his fans, "I told y’all I had something big planned for Carolina. 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."

The death toll from Hurricane Helene has climbed to at least 232 across six states, according to CNN, with additional fatalities reported over the weekend in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Officials announced 14 more deaths—11 in North Carolina, two in South Carolina, and one in Tennessee—over the weekend. A massive relief effort is underway to restore power, rebuild critical water and cell infrastructure, and deliver supplies to areas isolated by washed-out roads and bridges.

Helene now ranks as the second-deadliest hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland in the last 50 years, surpassed only by Hurricane Katrina, which claimed over 1,800 lives in 2005.

Proceeds from the event will be evenly split between Luke Combs' and Eric Church's Chief Cares Foundation. Combs, the "Forever After All" singer, plans to donate his portion to several charitable organizations, including Samaritan’s Purse, Manna Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, and a fourth, yet-to-be-announced charity.

Chief Cares will help "established charities and organizations that are well managed, organized and can expedite aid directly to the families affected by Hurricane Helene," per a press release obtained by People Magazine.

For those unable to attend the concert, donations can be made to the North Carolina Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund. Additionally, the Concert for Carolina website highlights several other organizations that are accepting contributions to aid in hurricane relief efforts.

Tickets for the event will be available starting October 10 at 10 a.m. ET.