At the award event taking place on Wednesday, November 20, Church paid tribute to his home state of North Carolina and those affected by Hurricane Helene.
- November 21, 2024
AceShowbiz - Eric Church delivered a poignant performance of "Darkest Hour" at the 2024 CMA Awards, paying tribute to his home state of North Carolina and those affected by Hurricane Helene.
Church brought the 2024 CMA Awards crowd to a hush with his surprise performance of "Darkest Hour", a song he released last month to aid hurricane relief efforts. Accompanied by a choir, horn section, and strings, Church delivered a grand rendition of the song, evoking the sweeping anthems of rock legends like the Beatles and the Band.
Church's performance reminded the audience of the ongoing rebuilding efforts in North Carolina after the devastation of Hurricane Helene. He has pledged to donate all royalties from "Darkest Hour" to the state in perpetuity. "This is for the folks who show up in the hardest times, offering a hand when it's most needed," he said.
In 2023, Church co-headlined the Concert for Carolina with Luke Combs, raising nearly $24.5 million for hurricane relief. He has also announced a building initiative to construct homes for 100 families in Avery County and the surrounding area.
The powerful performance also served as a reminder of Church's deep reverence for his home state and his commitment to supporting its communities during challenging times. "We're on our way. There's always dawn after the darkest part of the night," he said.
"Darkest Hour" is Church's first solo release in over three years and is set to appear on his upcoming studio album, expected in 2025. The song's sweeping orchestral arrangement and anthemic lyrics have been praised for their emotional resonance and hopeful message.
Shaboozey also delivered an electrifying performance that captivated the crowd at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. Starting with his introspective ballad "Highway", he set a somber and evocative tone, performing from a bar stool on a smoke-filled stage.
Midway through "Highway", Shaboozey transitioned into his signature hit, "A Bar Song (Tipsy)", asking the audience to turn the CMA Awards into "the greatest dive bar in the world". The crowd responded enthusiastically, with many dancing and singing along to the infectious tune.
Shaboozey's performance was met with widespread acclaim, with celebrities such as Keith Urban and Brothers Osborne spotted dancing and enjoying the show. He received nominations for New Artist of the Year and Single of the Year for "A Bar Song", which has dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for an unprecedented 18 weeks this year.
