Musician's Heartfelt Gesture: Donating Royalties to Rebuild North Carolina

In a remarkable display of compassion and commitment to his home state, renowned country music artist Eric Church has announced that he is signing over all of his publishing royalties from his new song "Darkest Hour" to support the ongoing recovery efforts in North Carolina following the devastation of Hurricane Helene. This gesture not only provides immediate relief but also aims to contribute to a more resilient future for the region.

A Heartfelt Pledge to Uplift North Carolina in Its Darkest Hour

Responding to the Devastation

Eric Church, a native of Western North Carolina, has been deeply affected by the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Helene. The storm has left many communities in his home region, as well as parts of Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, and even Florida, in dire need of assistance. Church reflects on the magnitude of the damage, stating, "There are places that are just biblically gone. These are our family members, they're our friends, they're our neighbors – and they're in dire need of help."

Channeling Creativity into Meaningful Action

Amidst his time in the studio, working on new music, Church found himself inspired by the plight of his fellow North Carolinians. The song "Darkest Hour" emerged as a powerful expression of his desire to support his community during this challenging time. Church explains, "The line that struck me in light of the recent devastation was 'I'll come running,' because there are a lot of people out there right now who are in their darkest hour and they need people to come running."

Prioritizing Immediate Relief and Long-Term Resilience

Rather than waiting to release the song, Church felt compelled to act swiftly, recognizing the urgency of the situation. He states, "We were going to wait to release music until next year, but it just didn't feel right to wait with this song. Sometimes you give songs their moment and sometimes they find their own moment." By donating the royalties from "Darkest Hour," Church aims to provide both immediate aid and long-term support for the rebuilding and resilience efforts in North Carolina.

A Heartfelt Homecoming

Church's decision to direct the song's royalties to his home state of North Carolina is a testament to his deep-rooted connection and commitment to the region. He emphasizes, "This song goes to my home, North Carolina, now and forever." This gesture not only showcases his personal investment in the well-being of his community but also serves as a rallying cry for others to join in the collective effort to uplift and strengthen North Carolina in the aftermath of this devastating natural disaster.

Boots on the Ground and Lasting Impact

In addition to the financial support provided by the song's royalties, Church has also been actively involved in on-the-ground relief efforts. He recognizes that the recovery process will be a long-term endeavor, and he hopes that "Darkest Hour" will continue to contribute to the rebuilding and resilience of North Carolina for years to come. As Church eloquently states, "This is not a quick thing to fix, so hopefully 'Darkest Hour' will be able to contribute to that for a long time to come."