'Everyday people are the ones who are making miracles / And it's beautiful,' Reba McEntire sings on the chorus of 'Everyday People,' her 2007 duet with Carole King.
On Wednesday night, as McEntire performed the song in Oklahoma, those words held truer than ever before, especially with the backdrop of destruction and the hope that it brought.
McEntire was just one of many performers at the Healing in the Heartland concert in Oklahoma City's Chesapeake Energy Arena, which benefited those whose lives were impacted by the tornadoes that ravaged parts of the state on May 20. The one-hour show, organized by country artist and Oklahoma native Blake Shelton, featured a number of musicians, all of whom urged viewers to donate to United Way's tornado relief fund by texting, calling or visiting the organization's Facebook page.
Shelton kicked off the evening with a heartfelt performance of 'God Gave Me You,' he and his backing band donned in black. 'But you stay here beside me / Watch as the storm blows through / And I need you,' he sang, before explaining the methods viewers and attendees could follow to donate to the relief efforts.
Shelton wasn't the only Oklahoma native to perform. Fellow country star Vince Gill served up one of the more poignant moments of the evening. 'It's sure good to be home. I'd like to do this song for 24 people that didn't make it,' Gill said.