Country music star Eric Church has announced that he will donate all of his publishing royalties from his new song ‘Darkest Hour' to the people of North Carolina, in an effort to provide both immediate relief and long-term support following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. This marks Church’s first solo release in over three years, and the song is now available on all major streaming platforms.
Church, who hails from Western North Carolina, reflected on the impact of the hurricane, which has ravaged areas throughout the Southeast. “Specifically in the area that I'm from, the mountains of Western North Carolina were devastated. 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,” Church shared. He felt the urgency to release the song now, saying, “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.”
‘Darkest Hour' is more than just a song for immediate relief; Church hopes its message will provide ongoing support for the long recovery ahead. “This song goes to my home, North Carolina, now and forever,” he said. Church emphasised that while his team has been involved in on-the-ground recovery efforts, this song is something that will extend far beyond the immediate response, offering ongoing support for the affected communities.
The song is dedicated to the unsung heroes who show up when the world seems to be falling apart. “Even in your darkest hour, they come running,” Church explained. He emphasized that while the song was inspired by the devastation of Hurricane Helene, its broader message applies to anyone going through tough times, and highlights the importance of helping others during difficult moments.
Church’s charity, Chief Cares, will also be assisting communities affected by Hurricane Helene, providing support not only in North Carolina but throughout the Appalachian region and the Gulf Coast.
For more information on how to support, visit EricChurch.com and ChiefCares.com. Follow Eric Church on social media for updates: Facebook, Twitter/X @ericchurch, and Instagram @ericchurchmusic.
