Eric Church's Heartfelt Anthem "Darkest Hour" Lights the Way for Hurricane Helene Relief. Signs Over Publishing Royalties To Help Efforts

Eric Church has always been known for his deep connection to his roots, but with his latest move, the North Carolina native is turning that devotion into action. In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, Church has announced that he’s signing over all of his publishing royalties for his new song, “Darkest Hour,” to support relief efforts in his home state of North Carolina. But the generosity doesn't stop there. His gift is aimed not only at providing immediate aid but also contributing to the long-term recovery and resilience of the region.

Eric Church | Photo Credit: Robby Klein

“Darkest Hour,” Church’s first solo release in over three years, was born out of a need to help those facing overwhelming hardship. In a poignant video shared on his social media, Church reflected on the devastation in the Carolinas and beyond. “There are places that are just biblically gone,” he said, speaking of the wreckage left behind in the mountains of Western North Carolina, where he grew up. “These are our family members, they're our friends, they're our neighbors – and they're in dire need of help.”

The sincerity in Church’s voice was clear as he explained why now was the time to release the song. Originally, new music wasn’t planned until next year, but the message of “Darkest Hour” found its own moment. "The line that struck me in light of the recent devastation was ‘I’ll come running,’" Church shared, describing how this sentiment resonated with the dire situation many communities face. “There are a lot of people out there right now who are in their darkest hour, and they need people to come running.”

For Church, this song is more than just a gesture of goodwill—it’s a way of offering something that will last beyond the immediate need. "We've been helping with boots on the ground efforts," he continued, "but this is something that will live beyond just the immediate recovery. This is not a quick thing to fix, so hopefully ‘Darkest Hour’ will contribute to that for a long time to come."

The song itself is a tribute to the unsung heroes—those who show up when the world seems to be falling apart. With lyrics that promise unwavering support, Church’s words carry the weight of a promise to stand by those in need:

"In your darkest hour

Baby I’d come running,

In your darkest hour

I’d light your way."

It's a simple, yet powerful message: even in life’s most challenging moments, there are people who will stand by your side, and more importantly, there are people who will run toward the storm.

The heartfelt nature of the song extends beyond its message. Church has always had a knack for turning personal experiences into universal truths, and “Darkest Hour” is no exception. Though inspired by the immediate need following Hurricane Helene, the song speaks to any dark time we face. And as Church said, "It's important to be one of the people that go running when other people need help."

Beyond just donating the proceeds from "Darkest Hour" to his home state, Church’s philanthropic arm, Chief Cares, is stepping up to support communities from Appalachia to the Gulf that were impacted by the hurricane. It's clear that this gesture isn’t about garnering praise; it's about creating real, lasting change. Church’s commitment to helping rebuild the areas affected by the storm shows the true depth of his character.

As fans listen to the hauntingly beautiful melody of “Darkest Hour,” they’re reminded not just of the devastation but of the hope and community spirit that rises in its aftermath. In a world where it can be easy to feel helpless in the face of disaster, Church’s action proves that we all have the power to help in some way.

Eric Church’s message to his fans and to the world is one we could all learn from: Be the person who shows up, who comes running when the night is darkest. Because sometimes, the light we carry is what helps others make it through. “The Chief” has given us a song that does more than entertain—it heals, uplifts, and ultimately helps guide us through our darkest hours.