‘Caverns of Gold: A Benefit for WNC Hurricane Relief’ Taps R.E.M., moe., Leftover Salmon, Steep Canyon Rangers, North Mississippi Allstars and More for Beloved Asheville
Since Hurricane Helene lashed through the Southeast and devastated Western North Carolina at the end of September, the nation’s music community has banded together to support the region’s recovery efforts. Through benefit shows, pledge livestreams and exclusive compilations like Cardinals at the Window, artists from across the country stepped up to show support and provide life-saving aid for communities in crisis. This grassroots effort continues with Caverns of Gold: A Benefit for WNC Hurricane Relief, which collected contributions from over 270 musicians before arriving on Friday, Nov. 1.
Caverns of Gold calls on the power of music and community to raise funds for hurricane recovery, with 100% of all proceeds benefiting Beloved Asheville, a nonprofit organization by and for the people of Western North Carolina. Beloved Asheville has offered immediate relief by distributing food, water and medical services in the wake of the flooding. In the longer term, the organization is working to provide safe housing through the winter and investing in the large-scale recovery efforts necessary to rebuild the community that thrived as a musical hotspot in the Southeast.
The album highlights Western North Carolina’s nationally recognized creativity with an expansive collection of local voices, featuring pioneers in folk, rock, bluegrass, hip-hop, punk, electronic and more. Some of the region’s most acclaimed artists lend their talents to the project, with cuts from Tar Heel State-affiliated acts like R.E.M.’s “Feeling Gravitys Pull (Live in Greensboro, 1989)” and Steep Canyon Rangers’ “I’ll Be Long Gone (Live)” leading the charge.
The collection notably features rarities from jam-scene favorites, including moe.’s “Wind it Up (Live in Asheville 2016),” Leftover Salmon’s “Fire And Brimstone (Live at The Salvage Station)” and Asheville-based Papadosio’s “The Bionic Man Meets His Past (Live).” Other standout contributions come from Kevn Kinney, Mekons, Luscious Jackson, Sol Driven Train, Larry Keel, Tyler Ramsey, Acoustic Syndicate and North Mississippi Allstars, who tap Oteil Burbridge and Graham Lesh for a live treatment of “Bid You Goodnight.”
“Our community has a remarkable tradition of coming together during times of crisis, and this compilation embodies that spirit,” said Chad Nance, one of the lead project organizers for Caverns of Gold. Collaborator Joe Hooten echoes this sentiment, writing, “Music has a unique power to heal and connect us all, and we hope this album brings comfort and support to those impacted by the hurricane.”
Donate to stream and download Caverns of Gold via Bandcamp now. For more information on the compilation and how you can support Western North Carolina, contact cavernsofgold@gmail.com and (828) 713-1774.
