Country singer Eric Church is stepping up to support his home state of North Carolina after the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. In an Instagram post on October 3, Church announced that all publishing royalties from his new song “Darkest Hour” will go toward state relief efforts.
The song, which marks his first solo release in over three years, debuted on October 4, with proceeds dedicated to providing immediate aid to those affected by the storm.
Church expressed his deep connection to his home state, describing North Carolina as a place where his “soul was at rest.” He specifically highlighted the devastation in the mountains of western North Carolina, where entire areas have been wiped out by the storm.
Hurricane Helene, which first made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm on September 26, has left a trail of destruction across the southeastern U.S.
The hurricane is one of the deadliest in recent history, claiming more than 200 lives and leaving millions without power. Catastrophic flooding has destroyed infrastructure, including roads and bridges, in several states.
In addition to donating song royalties, Church’s charity, The Chief Cares Fund, is focusing its efforts on helping those affected in states like South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida.
Church urged fans to donate to his fund or raise awareness about the ongoing relief efforts. Earlier in the week, he took to social media to call for a community response to help those still stranded or in need of rescue. He emphasized the importance of supporting family, friends, and neighbors during such challenging times.
The singer originally planned to release new music next year, but given the urgency of the situation, he felt releasing “Darkest Hour” now was the best way to contribute to the relief efforts.
The song, which speaks to challenging times, has since been dedicated to the victims and unsung heroes of Hurricane Helene, many of whom are experiencing their darkest moments.
Other celebrities have also joined the relief efforts. Actor Chris Pratt recently took to Instagram to encourage Americans to step up and help, stressing that community involvement, not just government action, is essential in times of crisis. Pratt pledged donations and praised those who are on the ground helping the victims.
Country singer Morgan Wallen, a native of Tennessee, also made a significant contribution, donating $500,000 to the American Red Cross through his charity organization to support relief efforts.
These combined efforts from public figures like Church, Pratt, and Wallen are contributing to the ongoing recovery from one of the most devastating storms in U.S. history.
