Recently, Hurricane Helene caused significant destruction in Western North Carolina, especially in Asheville, where local artist MJ Lenderman postponed tour dates and Indigo de Souza shared images of her damaged home. In response, country music icons Eric Church and Sturgill Simpson have initiated relief efforts. Church has dropped a new single aimed at raising awareness, while Simpson has organized a benefit concert.
Eric Church, who hails from Granite Falls, North Carolina, recently paid tribute to the late Kris Kristofferson by sharing an unreleased track. Now, he has unveiled “Darkest Hour,” his first solo single in three years. The song features soulful and gospel-inspired melodies, highlighted by Church’s vocal range. In a recent announcement, Church revealed that he has directed all publishing royalties from the song to support hurricane victims in North Carolina. Here’s his statement:
From Western North Carolina to parts of South Carolina and even Florida, the hurricane has impacted many. My hometown mountains have suffered immensely. People I know are facing dire circumstances and urgently need assistance. I’ve been exploring my creativity in the studio and felt compelled to share this song, especially the line “I’ll come running,” as many are experiencing their darkest hour and require support. We initially planned to release this music next year, but it felt necessary to do it now. Certain songs find their moment on their own.
“Darkest Hour” represents my attempt to contribute to the recovery efforts. Our ongoing support with local initiatives is critical, but this song is designed for long-term impact. Recovery will take time, and I hope this track aids those affected for a while.
The song honors those who step up during crises — the unsung heroes who provide help when needed most and stand strong in challenging times. Even in dark moments, there are individuals who bring light and guidance. While “Darkest Hour” addresses the recent hurricane damage, it resonates with anyone facing struggles, reminding us that there are always those ready to assist. It’s also vital to offer help to others when they need it most.
Check out “Darkest Hour” below.
On another note, Sturgill Simpson, amidst his thrilling tour featuring various cover songs supporting his album Passage Du Desir, had a performance planned in Asheville on October 21 that was canceled due to the hurricane. To help those impacted, he will now be performing a benefit show at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary, North Carolina, with all ticket proceeds going to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund.
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