Review of “Concerto for Caroline” by Eric Church and Luke Combs

Standing in front more than 80,000 persons, Eric Church took a moment to soak up the spectacle at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolinaon Saturday evening.

“I’ve never given a concert that was so close to my heart,” the country singer and Tar Heel State native noted to a deafening roar from the crowd.

Named “Concert for Caroline” the all-star gathering was the brainchild of Church and his fellow North Carolinians: “Local boy did good” Luke Combs. The two country stars joined forces and invited everyone they knew who could join them.

Among those who answered the call were James Taylor, Billy StringsSheryl Crow, Keith Urban and the Evett brothers. Together, they raised more than $24.5 million for those in need following the devastating floods that hit western North Carolina last month due to Hurricane Helen.

“The Evette family has deep roots in Western North Carolina. This was our home and our refuge,” says Scott Evett. Rolling Stone. “We hope we can promote the healing that is needed in this precious and sacred place.”

Hours before the marathon concert, thunderstorms struck the Queen City. It was the first drops of rain in the area in exactly a month since Helen tore through a dozen Western North Carolina counties, leaving 96 dead and dead. billions of damage.

“We are saddened by the destruction,” Evett said. “But we are inspired by the courage that the people living there have shown.”

The ominous reminder of nature’s fury dissipated during the show, just as a lone Church emerged with his Gretsch electric guitar and began strumming the chords of Leonard Cohen’s seminal tune “Hallelujah” to kick off the celebration.

“I will appear before the lord of song,” Church’s voice echoed throughout the hall. “There’s nothing on my tongue but hallelujah.”

Concert for Carolina quickly became a montage of incredible performances, one-off collaborations, and impressive selections that went straight to the heart of the matter—reaching out and hugging your family, friends, neighbors, and strangers in a dark hour.

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“North Carolina has always been special to me because it’s the home of Doc Watson,” Strings said, prefacing his performance of “The Train That Took My Girl Out of Town.”

Before Church reappeared, the huge screen above the stage lit up with a video of Church talking about his plans to help people in Western North Carolina. Called the Blue Ridge Plans, Church aims to build 100 homes for 100 families affected by the flood.

“I hope there will be a lot more houses,” Church said. “I hope it’s about business and rebuilding the community.”

Church’s solo set touched on many of his radio hits, including “Springsteen,” “Drink in My Hand,” “Talladega” and “Smoke a Little Smoke.” But it was his poignant renditions of classic hits (“And It Stoned Me” by Van Morrison, “Piano Man” by Billy Joel) that particularly struck a chord. “It’s just me and you tonight,” Church said. “And I’m going to take you back.”

Growing up in Western North Carolina, he talked about the first concert he ever played—at Woodlands BBQ in Blowing Rock, located in hard-hit Watauga County—and what that foundation of people and place meant to his life and career. “I wouldn’t be here tonight if it weren’t for where I grew up and who raised me,” Church said.

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Wandering around the huge stage in a “circle” style, eager to see as much of the audience as possible, Church eventually invited Sheryl Crow to duet “Picture” before handing over the reins to Crow for a couple of her staples. (“If It Makes You Happy,” “Every Day Is a Winding Road”).

During one of the switching sets Chase Rice jumped behind the microphone with his guitar. A Western North Carolina native, the country singer acknowledged the gravity of the situation still unfolding in the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” Rice said. “And I never thought I’d see something like this.”

Graduate of A.C. Reynolds High School in AshevilleRice was also a member of the football team coached by Brian Craig. The coach, originally from a town known as “Craigtown”, lost 11 family members in the landslide that devastated the close-knit community. “I pray to God that most of this money will go to Craigtown,” Rice said.

On the eve of the Concert for Carolina, Rice attended an AC Reynolds football game to be close not only to his hometown, but also to Craig, who was still coaching on the sidelines even in the midst of unimaginable tragedy. (At the show itself, some of the seats at Bank of America Stadium were specifically reserved for people from “Craigtown.”)

“Another night, another show. Oh, hey, Mister James Taylor, she’s not the only one on your mind,” Rice crooned on “Carolina Can,” a poignant segue before the appearance of “Sweet Baby James” itself.

Taylor perfectly captured the intense range of emotions swirling around the stadium in “Carolina on My Mind” and “Fire and Rain.” But it was his cover of Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend” that left the audience feeling both sad and compassionate. “Winter, spring, summer or autumn. All you have to do is call,” Taylor sang. “And I’ll be there, yes I will/You have a friend.”

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Combs, an Asheville native who, like Church, attended Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., closed the evening with a rousing series of his country radio anthems, such as “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” “Beautiful Crazy” and his cover -versions. Tracy Chapman “Fast car” But he deliberately chose to open with “This One’s for You,” the title track of his 2017 debut album. That evening, the song served as an expression of respect for all of his fellow Carolinians affected by the hurricane.

He returned to the concert’s theme of cooperation and cooperation to end the benefits, welcoming Church back to the stage for a duet performance of Church’s simple salute to the Carolina house. “Oh Caroline, you keep calling me home,” they sang, “calling me home.”