Call it an eerie coincidence, call it fitting in a twisted way. Carrie Underwood’s Blown Away tour, which has spanned 100 dates in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland and Australia, is named after a song in which a tornado rips through a home in Oklahoma, and features plenty of weather-related imagery in its effects and staging, culminating in a confetti tornado behind Carrie. Now, in the wake of the devastating tornadoes that ripped through Carrie’s home state of Oklahoma this week, Carrie has announced a $1 million donation to the Red Cross to help with disaster relief. More from the press release:
CARRIE UNDERWOOD DONATES ONE MILLION DOLLARS FROM TOUR PROCEEDS TO RED CROSS
Proceeds To Benefit Disaster Relief Including OklahomaAs Carrie Underwood prepares to wrap her 2012-2013 “Blown Away Tour” tonight in Abbottsford, BC, a one million dollar donation is being made to the Red Cross for disaster relief. The charitable contribution to the Red Cross derives from the tour’s concert proceeds and was established when it launched in spring 2012.
“I have watched the devastation in my home state of Oklahoma over the past several days with great sadness,” says Carrie. “With the help of my fans who attended my concerts over the past year, we can offer the Red Cross a little extra help in comforting those affected by the recent tornados.”
Carrie’s home state of Oklahoma has recently experienced devastating tornados. This contribution to disaster relief will help people affected by disasters like tornados, floods and other crises around the country, including Oklahoma.
“The impact of the tornados in Oklahoma and the Midwest was devastating and the road to recovery will be long for many families. Through the generosity of Carrie, the American Red Cross can quickly respond with shelter, food and comfort now, and with lasting help as they move toward recovery,” said Neal Litvack, chief development officer for the Red Cross.
Earlier in the tour, following a performance in Atlantic City, NJ, Carrie designated funds to support the response and relief efforts in New Jersey in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.
Every year, the American Red Cross prepares for and responds to nearly 70,000 disasters across the United States where they provide shelter, food, and emotional support for those in need. Proceeds from her Canadian concerts will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross.
Since releasing her debut album in 2005, Carrie has sold over 15 million albums and placed 17 No. 1 singles on the charts. Her recent album, Blown Away, made history by debuting at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart, making Carrie only the second country artist in the 47-year history of the chart to have each of their first four albums debut at No. 1. The now platinum-selling Blown Away album also debuted at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, making Carrie only the second country artist in history to have three consecutive albums debut at No. 1. She is a six-time Grammy winner, a two-time Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, a three-time Country Music Association and ACM Female Vocalist winner, and a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Carrie had committed $1 from each concert ticket sold from the Blown Away tour to Red Cross disaster relief last May when she first announced her tour, so this donation is her following through on that promise. But in light of events that hit especially close to home for her, it’s also a timely announcement that will hopefully inspire more donations to relief and rebuilding efforts in areas around North America impacted by natural disasters. For more information on how you can contribute to relief efforts in Oklahoma, check out this post.
As noted above and confirmed in a previous press release on the Blown Away Tour Exhibit set to open at the Country Music Hall Of Fame on June 5th, Carrie made a separate donation of full proceeds from her Atlantic City, New Jersey concert to Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy relief efforts, also donating her take from her Des Moines, Iowa concert back to the local community because she wasn’t satisfied with her (90+ minute) performance through illness.
