Luke Combs and Eric Church raise over $24.5 million for hurricane victims at star-studded Concert for Carolina

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Luke Combs and Eric Church led the star-studded Concert for Carolina on Saturday, which raised over $24.5 million for aid efforts within the Carolina area following the devastation of Hurricane Helene. 

Attended by over 82,000 concert-goers, the occasion featured performances by James Taylor, Keith Urban, Sheryl Crow, Bailey Zimmerman, Scotty McCreery, Chase Rice, The Avett Brothers and Parmalee in addition to shock appearances by Nicole Kidman and Randy Travis.

Hosted by ESPN’s Marty Smith and Barstool Sports’ Caleb Pressley, the profit present – organized by Combs and Church in lower than a month – occurred at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

luke combs and eric church performing together

Luke Combs and Eric Church’s Concert for Carolina raised over $24.5 million for aid efforts within the Carolina area after Hurricane Helene. ( John Shearer/Getty Images for Concert For Carolina)

Here are among the high highlights from the star-studded occasion.

HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF CONCERT BRINGS COUNTRY STARS LUKE COMBS, ERIC CHURCH BACK HOME TO NORTH CAROLINA

Eric Church proclaims that his group will construct 100 properties for hurricane victims

eric church performing

Church introduced that his group will construct 100 properties for individuals displaced by Helene. (John Shearer/Getty Images for Concert For Carolina)

Eric Church carried out quite a few occasions all through the evening, and additionally made a significant announcement in a video that was performed on the stadium’s display. The nation star, who hails from Granite Falls, N.C., revealed that Chief Cares has a plan to construct 100 homes for North Carolinians whose properties have been devastated by the hurricane.

“I come from the mountains of North Carolina,” Church mentioned within the video message. “It’s what made me. It’s my home. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it weren’t for the people there and the influence they had on me. I wouldn’t make the music that I make if it weren’t for the people there and the influence they had on me.”

He continued, “When Hurricane Helene happened, it devastated those communities. These are hard-working, poor communities that rely on each other. And any time a community needs help, it’s always the community next door that comes running in to help. And there are no communities next door. They’ve all been devastated.”

eric church and luke combs at concert

Over 82,000 concert-goers attended the star-studded lineup. (John Shearer/Getty Images for Concert For Carolina)

“So we made it our mission at Chief Cares that we’re going to be the community next door,” Church defined. “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. 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.”

ERIC CHURCH SUPPORTS HURRICANE HELENE VICTIMS BY DONATING ROYALTIES FROM NEW SONG: ‘THEY’RE IN NEED’

Church went on to say that Chief Cares had plans for a second a part of the preliminary part which can exceed the aim of constructing 100 properties.

“I hope it’s a lot of homes,” he mentioned. “A lot more than 100 homes. I hope it’s about building the businesses and building the community back. That’s what we’re committing to at Chief Cares and we would love your help.”

Church requested followers to go to his group’s web site ChiefCares.com to search out methods to assist and contribute to Blueprint for the Blue Ridge.

“And we will rebuild western North Carolina,” he declared.

Nicole Kidman makes shock onstage look to have a good time Keith Urban’s birthday

nicole kidman and keith urban on stage at concert

Nicole Kidman made a shock look to have a good time her husband Keith Urban’s birthday. (John Shearer/Getty Images for Concert For Carolina)

During the live performance, Church launched Keith Urban, noting that the Australian singer was “one of the guys that I’ve always been able to call and count on”

“Even before I can ask the question, he just says, ‘Yes, and whose car are we taking?’” Church mentioned. “He’s one of my favorite musicians. We did a lot of stuff together. You guys are in for a treat.”

After Urban carried out his hits “Blue Ain’t Your Favorite Color” and “Wasted Time,” he introduced that he wished to carry “somebody” as much as the stage to assist him reintroduce Church.

“My wife is over here tonight. Come on, baby girl.” he mentioned because the viewers erupted into cheers. “We’re here for everybody, baby.”

The crowd continued cheering as Urban’s spouse Nicole Kidman took the stage. The A-list actress, who was clad in a black velvet and leather-based jacket with darkish blue denims, smiled as she took the microphone from her husband.

nicole kidman and keith urban hugging backstage at concert

Urban turned 57 on Saturday. (John Shearer/Getty Images for Concert For Carolina)

“So happy to be here with everyone tonight because of Eric giving Keith a call,” Kidman mentioned.

“I do want to say it’s his birthday tonight,” she continued. “And he went, ‘The one thing I can do…'”

“And he wanted to be here with you,” Kidman added while the audience cheered even louder. “So here we go. Eric Church called him and here we are.”

“One more time, Eric Church, come on up here, brother!” Urban called out as he put his arm around Kidman. The couple shared a quick kiss before Church joined them on the stage and hugged Kidman.

The crowd joined in as Church sang “Happy Birthday” to Urban, who turned 57 on Saturday. The two musicians then performed a duet of “Raise Em’ Up.”

“I love you, Carolina!” Urban exclaimed at the end of the song. “God bless you!”

Dolly Parton donates $1 million provided by Jeff Bezos to benefit concert 

Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton donated $1 million to benefit the concert. (Photo by BRIDGET BENNETT/AFP via Getty Images)

While co-hosting the show, Marty Smith shared a special message from Dolly Parton. Earlier this month, the country legend donated $1 million of her own money to The Mountain Ways Foundation to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts. Parton’s Dollywood also contributed an additional $1 million to the relief.

“She asked me to read this statement for you guys,” Smith told the audience as he began reading, “‘It’s so wonderful that Eric and Luke are doing this show to help their people here in North Carolina. Thank you all for being here tonight. You may have heard Jeff Bezos with Amazon dedicated money to Dolly to direct to causes that she cares about. So I want you to know that I’m directing $1 million on his behalf to the Concert for Carolina Chief Cares to help my neighbors in North Carolina with recovery efforts.'”

HURRICANE HELENE: DOLLY PARTON, MORGAN WALLEN, MIRANDA LAMBERT HELP WITH DISASTER RELIEF

Parton’s statement continued, “I know money won’t solve all the pain and suffering these floods have caused, but maybe it will help some of our people with recovery. It’ll take all of us working together, but we can do it.'”

“‘Love, Dolly.'” the statement concluded.

Sheryl Crow joins Eric Church on stage for a duet of ‘Picture’

sheryl crow performing at benefit concert

Sheryl Crow carried out a duet with Eric Church. ( John Shearer/Getty Images for Concert For Carolina)

During the live performance, Church took the stage, telling the viewers that he was going to carry out a tune that he had “never done in my life.”

Church started singing Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow’s 2001 collaboration “Picture.” To cheers from the viewers, Crow joined him on stage after the primary verse and the 2 stars carried out a duet.

“Wow, that was fun!” Crow mentioned at the top of the tune. “I just got to sing ‘Picture’ with Eric Church. I just have to absorb that for a minute.”

Crow then carried out two of her greatest hits, “Every Day Is a Winding Road,” and “If It Makes You Happy.”

“We’re in it with you,” she advised the group earlier than singing, “It’s a joy and a pleasure and a blessing to be here.”

Randy Travis takes the stage in a shock look 

randy travis waving at concer

Country legend Randy Travis made a shock look. ( John Shearer/Getty Images for Concert For Carolina)

Country music icon and North Carolina native Randy Travis made a shock look alongside his spouse Mary because the pair took the stage to thunderous cheers from the group.

Travis, who survived a near-fatal stroke in 2013 that has restricted his means to talk or sing, smiled and waved at the group whereas Mary shared phrases of assist for the victims of Hurricane Helene.

Mary famous that throughout the Country Music Hall of Famer’s travels, Travis “always said it was North Carolina that he missed the most.”

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“We’re blessed to be back,” she mentioned. “Tonight, we just ask you to spend a little time saying a prayer for those people that lost so much in the storms of life on that September the 30th. We asked God’s grace, his amazing grace. We ask for their hope. We ask for their patience. We ask for their perseverance.”

“We thank you so much for being here,” Mary advised the group. “Thank you for loving Randy Travis all these years.”

James Taylor carried out ‘Carolina in My Mind’

james taylor performing at benefit concert

James Taylor carried out a few of his greatest hits together with “Carolina in My Mind.” ( John Shearer/Getty Images for Concert For Carolina)

At a press convention forward of the live performance, Combs and Church shared the story of how they had been in a position to enlist the legendary James Taylor to carry out at the present.

“I was like, ‘I have to get James Taylor,'” Church mentioned at the convention. “Like I just, I have to hear ‘Carolina in my Mind’ in this stadium. So I made it my mission, and I’m pretty sure after talking to James last night, I think I stalked him.”

LUKE COMBS AND ERIC CHURCH SHARE HEARTWARMING STORY OF HOW THEY SECURED JAMES TAYLOR FOR CONCERT FOR CAROLINA 

Church and Combs’ efforts paid off and Taylor took the stage on Saturday, performing “Carolina in my Mind” together with different hits together with “Fire and Rain,” “Copperline,” and Carole King’s “You’ve Got A Friend.”

“I’d like to thank Luke and Eric, particularly for making me part of this tonight and inviting me to join you all here,” Taylor mentioned.

Luke Combs shares heartfelt tribute to residence state of North Carolina 

luke combs performing at benefit concert

Luke Combs closed out the evening and paid tribute to his residence state. ( John Shearer/Getty Images for Concert For Carolina)

Luke Combs was the ultimate headliner to take the stage on Saturday evening. In between performances, Combs thanked everybody who had helped him and Church set up the profit live performance “from the bottom of my heart.”

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“It’s been a monumental effort on so many people’s lives to make this show happen,” he mentioned noting that “28 days ago, we put together this show that should have taken a year and a half to put together.”

The Asheville, N.C. native additionally shared reminiscences of rising up in his residence state and mirrored on the devastation wrought by Helene.

“I wanted to have a good time tonight. I knew I wanted you all to have a good time tonight. But I knew also that I couldn’t ignore the gravity of the situation that we’re all in,” Combs mentioned. “I haven’t been up that mountain yet myself. I have so many friends and family who are here tonight who live every day of their lives up that hill. And the things that I’ve seen, the things that I have heard are beyond words. And I think that there are a lot of you in this crowd who know that tonight.”

carolina concert stadium

All proceeds will likely be break up equally and distributed to Combs’ and Church’s organizations of their selecting in assist of aid efforts throughout the Carolinas and the Southeast. (Audrey Conklin/Fox News)

He continued, “I know my parents are at home watching, and I know that so many of my friends and family are at home who aren’t here with us tonight. And I don’t know what else to say other than I love you guys. I love North Carolina. I love where I come from.”

After it was introduced that the live performance had raised over $24.5 million, Combs and Church closed out the evening on a excessive be aware with a efficiency of their tune. “Does To Me.”

All proceeds will likely be break up equally and distributed to Combs’ and Church’s organizations of their selecting in assist of aid efforts throughout the Carolinas and the Southeast, in accordance with a press launch. 

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Combs’ portion will likely be distributed amongst Samaritan’s PurseManna Food Bank and Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC.

Church’s group Chief Cares is concentrated on serving to established charities and organizations which can be well-managed, organized and can expedite help on to the households affected by Hurricane Helene.

 Fox News Digital’s Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report.

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