Kenny Chesney to Wildfire Victims: ‘We’re Gonna Do Everything We Can’

"I just want you to know that you are in my thoughts and in my prayers," Chesney said in a video message to those affected by the devastating wildfires. 

Written by Lauren Jo Black
Kenny Chesney to Wildfire Victims: ‘We’re Gonna Do Everything We Can’
Kenny Chesney, Photo via Facebook

As the death toll from last week’s devastating wildfires in and around Gatlinburg, Tennessee rises to 14, Kenny Chesney is taking to social media to share a heartfelt message with those affected by the fires.

The superstar, whose hometown of Luttrell is less than 50 miles from Gatlinburg, posted a video to his Facebook page this morning and promised to do everything in his power to aid relief efforts in East Tennessee.

“I just want to say to everybody in East Tennessee and to everybody back where I come from in Gatlinburg, Tennessee that I am thinking about you, I am loving you really hard right now,” Chesney said in the clip. “East Tennessee is my heart and my soul and how I grew up. And I realize, now that everybody over there is hurting, I just want you to know that you are in my thoughts and in my prayers, and along with a lot of other people’s help, we’re gonna do everything we can to try to make this better. I love you guys.”

Along with the video, the singer encouraged fans to donate to the Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville Emergency Response Fund via this link.

According to the latest reports, the wildfires blazed through 18,000 acres in and around the Gatlinburg area. Nearly 1,400 buildings were destroyed and more than 14,000 residents and visitors were displaced due to the flames.

Chesney isn’t the first artist to pledge to help the area. Dolly Parton is in the midst of planning a telethon to aid wildfire relief efforts, while other artists have taken to social media to encourage donations.