NC benefit concerts planned to aid in Hurricane Helene recovery

Many musical artists are planning benefit concerts to help raise funds for Hurricane Helene recovery in North Carolina.

On Friday night, bluegrass group Gangstagrass will perform a benefit show at the Aria Center, 2609 N. Duke St. in Durham. The performance will raise money for the North Carolina Red Cross’s relief efforts in Western North Carolina. Tickets are $25 general admission and $15 for students.

On Oct. 13, the Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble and the Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra will hold a free benefit concert at Greystone Baptist Church on Lead Mine Road in Raleigh. The show start at 6:30 p.m. Each band will play a 30-40 minute set in a family-friendly and casual atmosphere.

Singer Sturgill Simpson announced an Oct. 21 benefit concert at Booth Amphitheatre in Cary. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, which supports Hurricane Helene relief efforts.

Singer Luke Combs is also planning to help the Carolinas. He posted a message on Facebook saying, “Absolutely heartbroken for everyone impacted by Hurricane Helene. Especially my folks in Western North Carolina. Me and my team have been making some calls and I think we’ve got something really special lined up to help the Carolinas as much as we can. More details to come ASAP.”

Eric Church gifts song to NC

Country star Eric Church is giving his newest song, “Darkest Hour,” to North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

Church grew up in Granite Falls, 30 miles south of Blowing Rock. He attended Appalachian State University and is a self-proclaimed Tar Heels basketball fan, even canceling a April 2022 concert in San Antonio, Texas, so he could watch the Tar Heels play the Blue Devils in the Final Four.

Church announced this week he has given all publishing rights and proceeds from “Darkest Hour” to the state.