Eric Church Shares First Solo Song in 3 Years 'Darkest Hour' to Aid Home State of North Carolina After Hurricane Helene

Eric Churchis helping out his home state. On Friday, Oct. 4, the country star, 47, released his first solo song in three years with"Darkest Hour." In a press release, Church revealed that he will sign over all publishing royalties from the song to the people of North Carolina. With soulful backing vocals, Church offers a sweeping, hopeful number amid strife. Church also shared a statement about the meaning behind the track.

Eric Church, Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan, Jelly Roll and More Honor Late Toby Keith in TV Special: All the Highlights

Jason Kempin/Getty Though, naturally, there were tearful moments, the evening was mostly a joyful celebration of Keith, whosuccumbed to stomach cancer, at age 62, on Feb. 5 in his native Oklahoma. He left behind a treasure trove of music that reflect his rare combination of qualities — rowdy showman, passionate patriot, tender family man, gifted wordsmith — and all were elevated during the two-hour event. PEOPLE had a prime seat in the arena, and here are can’t-miss highlights that viewers can look forward to:

Eric Dane Shares the Harsh Reaction His 12-Year-Old Daughter Had While Watching Him onGrey's Anatomy

Billie Beatrice Dane, Eric Dane and Georgia Geraldine Dane.Photo:Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic Eric Danejust got seriously humbled.In an interview withVariety, theEuphoriaactor, 51, revealed the gut-wrenching question his 12-year-old daughter Georgia asked her dad after watching him play “McSteamy” inGrey’s Anatomy.“My 12-year-old, when she started watching it a couple of years ago looked at me and said, ‘Dad, where did your abs go?’ ” Dane shared with a laugh.He added, “She was serious. She wasn’t making a joke.

Eric Roberts Apologizes to Sister Julia Roberts in His New Book for 'Asinine' Past Comments

Julia Roberts; Eric Roberts.Photo:Arnold Jerocki/WireImage ; Phillip Faraone/Getty Arnold Jerocki/WireImage ; Phillip Faraone/Getty Eric Robertsapologizes to his sisterJulia Robertsin his new book for previously taking credit for her success. “Now one of the things I’d like to apologize for in this book is for publicly saying on more than one occasion, ‘If it wasn’t for me, there would be no Julia Roberts,’ " writes Eric, who is competing on thelatest season ofDancing with the Stars.

Erik and Lyle Menendez Became Rapper's 'Big Brothers' in Prison: 'The Best Thing to Happen to Me'

Lyle and Erik Menendez, left, and X-Raided.Photo:AP Photo/Nick Ut; K C Alfred/San Diego Union-Tribune via ZUMA/Shutterstock AP Photo/Nick Ut; K C Alfred/San Diego Union-Tribune via ZUMA/Shutterstock A rapper who served time in prison withLyleandErik Menendezsays the pair looked after him like “big brothers” — and he’s glad they’re being resentenced.Rapper X-Raided spoke toExtraafter Los Angeles County District AttorneyGeorge Gascónrecommended that a judge re-sentencethe Menendez brothers, who were sentenced to life in prison for the 1989 shotgun murders of their parents Jose and Kitty Menendez.