Concert for Carolina was held on Saturday, Oct. 26, as a benefit to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts in the Carolina region. The event harnessed itself to an impeccable lineup, featuring separate frames delivered by James Taylor, Billy Strings, The Avett Brother, and other performers looking to give back following widespread devastation in the wake of the severe weather. 

Saturday’s concert pulled a crowd of 80,000-plus and promptly picked up around 7 p.m., lasting until 1 a.m. the following morning. The occasion raised a staggering $24.5 million due in part to the donated facility and vendor’s commitment to donating funds raised through the sale of concessions, merchandise, and other income streams. 

During Strings’ set, the musician stuck to an acoustic presentation while leaning into regionally significant material, like North Carolina native Doc Watson’s “Train That Carried My Girl From Town,” which provided space for the bandleader and his accomplices to draw out the tune. The aforementioned number arrived after a “Red Daisy” opener and ensuing “Seven Weeks in the Country.”

Strings conjured a flurry of originals, inevitably closing his time after the traditional “Dusty Miller.” Also, tapping into the assignment, James Taylor provided the night’s unofficial anthem, “Carolina on My Mind,” and fortified further meaning with “Country Road” and his emotive classic, “Fire and Rain.” 

The Avett Brothers’ strong regional ties were on full display. Considering their Mount Pleasant, N.C. roots, it served as a vantage of the night as they dipped into a folk-laden tribute to the late Toby Keith, who passed away in February 2024, landing on “As Good as I Once Was,” and later, their own “We Are Loved.”

The night primarily leaned country, with fellow performers Luke Combs, Eric Church, Keith Urban, Sheryl Crow, Scotty McCreary, Parmalee, and Baily Zimmerman taking the stage for their thoughtful deliveries, which amplified the genre’s power to bring folks together. 

For those unable to attend and interested in donating, follow this link to support the North Carolina Community Foundation.