Nashville artists with roots in Carolina speak out

The devastation caused by Hurricane Helene has killed over 100 people and left over 2 million homes and businesses without power as of Monday, severely impacting Western North Carolina. Now some Nashville artists are looking for ways to help.

Historic flooding from the hurricane that made landfall in Florida on Thursday led to water rescues in Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

In western North Carolina, Asheville's Buncombe County saw floating homes, collapsed bridges and a death toll of 35, a toll authorities expect to rise. The county has received about 600 missing person reports due to a lack of power and water and extremely dangerous roads.

As rescue efforts continue, some Nashville country musicians with roots in North Carolina have spoken out about the devastation in their home communities.

Luke Combs is working on planning “something very special” to help his community, and Chase Rice has shared that he's on board. “We're doing everything we can to get you the help you need right now,” said country star Eric Church, and Morgan Wallen and his team are working on how they can help, too.

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Here are the full statements some artists released following Hurricane Helene.

Embedded Content: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/09/29/helene-live-updates-north-carolina/75440372007/

Luke Combs: “Absolutely heartbroken”

In a post Saturday afternoon on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, North Carolina native Luke Combs said: “Absolutely heartbroken for everyone affected by Hurricane Helene. Especially my people in western North Carolina.”

The “Ain't No Love In Oklahoma” and “Beautiful Crazy” singer was born in Huntersville, North Carolina and moved to Asheville during his childhood. Combs also spent time at Appalachian State University in Boone before devoting himself full-time to music.

“Me and my team have made some calls and I think we have something very special in mind to help the Carolinas as best we can,” he continued in the post.

“Further details will follow as soon as possible.”

Chase Rice: “Carolina, you won’t get through this alone.”

Country singer Chase Rice was born in Florida but has deep roots in Carolina. The “Eyes On You” musician spent his childhood on a farm in Asheville and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Rice addressed his followers in an Instagram post on Sunday. “I finally got to talk to one of my friends from high school in Western Carolina,” he said. “To learn more details about how bad the damage from the hurricane is and just to hear his voice is earth-shattering. Buildings are completely destroyed and close friends and their family members are lost.”

“It’s one of the most heartbreaking things I’ve ever seen in my home state,” he continued. “I spoke to Luke Combs yesterday and he is doing everything in his power to put something together as quickly as possible to help. I told him everything he needed from me. Count me in.”

“Carolina, you will not be alone in this, I love you all, more details to come, stay safe.”

Eric Church: “To all families and first responders, you are in our prayers”

North Carolina native Eric Church, a Granite Falls native who attended Appalachian State University, told fans that one way to help is to donate to the Red Cross at http://www.redcross.org/ericchurch .

On Sunday, Church wrote on Instagram: “I am devastated by the destruction in the mountains of western North Carolina. These are our family members, friends and neighbors. There are still people stranded in the community where we live part of the year and the entire area is in desperate need of help.

“Anyone who knows anything about me knows what North Carolina, and specifically this area in the mountains, means to me personally and creatively,” he wrote.

“While we are still assessing the extent of the destruction and damage, our hearts remain with the people and our focus is on helping them,” Church said. “For now, we are postponing our live SiriusXM Outsiders Radio show event at Chief’s scheduled for Monday, September 30th to Tuesday, November 19th.”