The concert on October 26 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte brought together Luke Combs, Eric Church, Billy Strings and James Taylor for a special benefit show presented by Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. The Tar Heel State is a profoundly special place for all four artists, as it is where Combs, Church and Taylor grew up and first discovered their musical interests, and where Strings has performed many times over his career and holds an extra special place in his heart.
As news of the tremendous devastation caused by Hurricane Helene first began over the weekend, the group mobilized and started outreach to put together an event to raise critical funds for the relief efforts. Tickets for the show went on-sale on Thursday, October 10 at 10:00am ET. The call to David Tepper-owner of the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte FC and Bank of America Stadium-and his wife Nicole Tepper was met with overwhelming generosity and decisive action.
Following Church’s set, co-hosts Caleb Pressley and Marty Smith announced that Parton had pledged $1 million to “my neighbors in North Carolina” through the Bezos Courage and Civility Award that Jeff Bezos awarded her in 2022 to distribute as she sees fit. This is on top of the $1 million she already donated to relief efforts three weeks ago. Parton wasn’t there, but another legend was. Randy Travis, accompanied by his wife, Mary, appeared on stage, and the stadium exploded in thunderous applause.
Church, a native of Granite Falls, began his musical journey in Western North Carolina, playing gigs locally throughout high school and into his time at Appalachian State University before chasing his dream to Nashville. He continues to split time between Tennessee and North Carolina with his family, even returning to the Appalachian Mountains to record his most recent project, the three-part Heart & Soul, in Banner Elk. In 2016, he was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame and in 2022, he was awarded the North Carolina Award, the state’s highest civilian honor.
Combs, the two-time CMA entertainer of the year, barreled through hit after hit, thrilling the audience with such tunes as the sexy, pulsating “The Kind of Love We Make,” rollicking “Loving on You,” biting “Beer Never Broke My Heart” and his latest No. 1, “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” from the movie Twisters. His and Church’s hour-plus sets were the perfect complements to each other, with Church joining Combs for their first-ever live performance of their 2020 No. 1 collaboration, “Doin’ This,” and delivering a moving solo set that featured a wide-ranging medley of tunes that influenced him.
Strings drew upon his newly released Highway Prayers, which became the first bluegrass set to hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales Chart since 2002. His drum-free acoustic music, anchored in bluegrass yet infused with elements of rock, jam and metal, showcased clean, tight musicianship that never sacrificed emotion for precision. A standout moment was his tribute to his musical hero and North Carolina legend Doc Watson with a stirring cover of “Train That Carried My Girl from Town,” allowing every member of his band to stretch out.
Tar Heel pride ran strong throughout the night, as the artists performed songs written about their love for North Carolina. The night opened with Eric Church performing an acoustic version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” on the revolving stage set up on the 50-yard line, an opening prayer-like moment for a show rooted in unity and solidarity. There’s a reason Strings is taking the country by storm and selling out arenas everywhere: his guitar playing and the musicianship of his band are exceptional, yet never lose the human emotion that makes the performance resonant.
Several other North Carolina standouts arrived for cameos to help the cause: Sheryl Crow joined Church for “Picture,” then performed “If It Makes You Happy” and “Every Day is A Winding Road.” Keith Urban spent his birthday helping the cause by singing “Blue Ain’t Your Color” and “Wasted Time” before Church joined him for their 2013 collaboration, “Raise ’Em Up,” with Urban’s wife Nicole Kidman then appearing on stage to wish him a happy birthday. Bailey Zimmerman and the Avett Brothers also joined Combs and Church at various points, while Rice, Parmalee and McCreery each performed two songs between headliner sets.
Jamie Taylor’s enduring catalog, his warm baritone voice and guitar-playing, has touched fans for more than 50 years and includes songs rooted in North Carolina influence, such as “Copperline” and the beloved “Carolina in My Mind.” Taylor’s presence underscored the deep connection the artists feel to their home state, and the heartfelt performances highlighted the power of music to unite communities in times of need.
Explore Asheville is the official destination marketing and management organization for one of the most deeply rooted and creative destinations in the mountains of western North Carolina. Explore Asheville is powered by the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, a public authority that has been investing in and building community since 1983. CMA and ACM Award-winner Luke Combs is a multi-platinum, No. 1 Country singer-songwriter from Asheville, NC, known for bending the country mainstream with his distinctive voice and storytelling. Since its release, his debut album This One’s For You has spent extensive time at the top of the Billboard Country Albums chart and produced multiple consecutive No. 1 singles on Country Airplay.
- The concert served as a rapid mobilization to raise funds for hurricane relief in North Carolina.
- Top North Carolina artists contributed performances to highlight state pride and solidarity.
- All proceeds supported relief efforts for Hurricane Helene-impacted communities.
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Luke Combs delivered a high-energy headlining set featuring hits such as “The Kind of Love We Make,” “Loving on You,” “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” and “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” from the movie Twisters. Eric Church anchored the show with a stripped-down solo set of intimate performances and classic covers. Billy Strings offered a bluegrass-tinged performance with emotional depth, highlighted by his tribute to Doc Watson. James Taylor delivered a timeless set of songs written about his home state and performed with warmth and gratitude, reinforcing the concert’s theme of unity and support for North Carolina.
Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Bailey Zimmerman, the Avett Brothers, Rice, Parmalee and McCreery contributed two songs each, underscoring how North Carolina-native artists collaborated to create a powerful benefit night. Dolly Parton, though not physically present, made a powerful impact with a pledged $1 million donation through the Bezos Courage and Civility Award, adding to her prior relief contributions. Randy Travis’s appearance with his wife Mary delivered an emotional moment in the wake of his 2013 stroke, showcasing resilience and community.
The concert also celebrated the region’s culture and heritage, with artists performing songs that reflect the state’s natural beauty-from the Outer Banks to the Smoky Mountains-and the state’s proud sports and barbecue traditions. In the end, the evening highlighted how music can unite people across generations and genres to support local communities in times of need.