Eric Church is using his platform for good.
In a press release obtained by FOX News Digital on Friday, the country star announced that he will transfer all publishing royalties from his new song “Darkest Hour” to the people of his home state of North Carolina in the wake of the hurricane. Helen.
“So many places were affected, from western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, northern South Carolina, parts of Georgia, and even Florida, which was hit hard,” Church said in the release. “Especially where I come from, the mountains of western North Carolina were destroyed. There are places that are gone in the Bible. They are our family, they are our friends, they are our neighbors. ”I urgently need help. ”
Hurricane Helen: North Carolinians fight to survive as essential goods run out
Eric Church has released his first solo album in over three years, Darkest Hour, as a tribute to the victims of Hurricane Helen. (Getty Images)
“I've been in the studio for a while, trying some different things and exploring my creativity,” he continued. “There was this song that I wrote, and the line that stuck out to me in light of the recent tragedy was 'I'm going to run,' because there are so many people who are going through their darkest times right now. And we need people to come forward.”
“I had intended to wait until next year to release music, but I didn't feel it was appropriate to wait for this song,” he added. “Sometimes I let the song have its moment, and sometimes the song finds its own moment.”
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Church went on to say that the song was “the best way” to think about how to help people in need.
Eric Church's home state is North Carolina. (Getty Images)
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“We have supported operations on the ground, but this will outlast just the immediate recovery,” he said. “This isn't a quick fix, so I hope 'Darkest Hour' can contribute to that problem for a long time to come. This song will now and forever remain in my hometown of North Carolina.”
According to Church, the song is dedicated to “the unsung heroes, the people who show up when the world is falling apart.”
“This is for those who show up in the toughest of times, lend a helping hand when it's most needed, and stand tall when others can't,” he continued. “Even in the darkest of times, they come running. In the darkest of nights, this is for those who carry the light, guide the lost, and pull us along.”
Eric Church said the song is dedicated to the “unsung heroes.” (Getty Images)
“The message of this song in particular is about Hurricane Helen and the people in need, but more broadly, it's about the difficult times we go through in our lives, and everyone goes through. It's about the difficult times you'll have,” he concluded. “And it's always important to know that in your darkest moments, there are people you can run to, people who can help you. And it's also important to be one of the people that others run to when they need help.” I think so.”
In a video message posted to YouTube on Friday, Church asked his fans and followers to “expose themselves to as much as possible” about the devastation and do what they can, including by donating. chief cares The foundation is now directing all of its philanthropy to communities directly affected by the destruction.
According to To FOX weatherthe death toll continues to rise to at least 215 people, nearly half of them in North Carolina. The hurricane first made landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast and continued to cause damage throughout the Southeast.
Search and rescue efforts continue in areas of western North Carolina where devastating flooding has destroyed and isolated hundreds of roads and bridges.
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Fox News Digital's Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.
