Benefit Concert for Carolina Announced to Aid Hurricane Relief

Charlotte — A notable gathering of musicians including Luke Combs, Eric Church, Billy Strings, and James Taylor will headline the “Concert for Carolina,” a charitable event organized by Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. The concert is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 26, at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

This initiative is a response to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, aiming to raise significant funds for relief efforts in the affected areas. The event will be hosted by ESPN’s Marty Smith and Barstool Sports’ Caleb Pressley, featuring additional performers yet to be announced.

The concert emerged swiftly through the generous support of David Tepper—owner of the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte FC, and Bank of America Stadium—and his wife, Nicole Tepper. They readily offered the stadium as the venue, facilitating a rapid organization of the benefit concert.

Tickets for the event will be available for purchase starting Thursday, October 10, at 10:00 AM ET. According to the organizers, all proceeds, including sponsorship incomes, will be equally distributed between the Chief Cares Foundation, managed by Combs and Church, to support organizations dedicated to the relief efforts in the Carolinas and the broader Southeast region.

Combs, a proud North Carolinian originating from Asheville, began his musical journey singing at school events before launching his career from Boone’s Appalachian State University. Church, hailing from Granite Falls, pursued his musical aspirations initially in Western North Carolina and later in Nashville. He continues to maintain a strong connection to his home state.

Billy Strings’s career has been significantly influenced by his strong fan base in North Carolina, performing numerous times across the state, including an upcoming engagement in Asheville. James Taylor, who moved to Chapel Hill at an early age, attributes many of his notable songs to his experiences in North Carolina, further solidifying his connection to the region.

For those unable to attend, donations can still be made to the North Carolina Community Foundation and other involved organizations. The event is supported by several sponsors including T-Mobile, Atrium Health, Jack Daniel's, Whataburger, Miller Lite, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.