Oklahoma native Blake Shelton is doing everything he can to help out his home state in the wake of the devastating tornado that decimated the town of Moore on Monday. According to Billboard following Tuesday night's taping of "The Voice," Shelton said he's begun organizing a benefit concert for the victims of the storm, which produced winds topping 200 miles-per-hour and killed at least 24 people.
"We'll know more about it in the next 24 hours," Shelton said. "I'm hoping it will raise a lot of money. Obviously it will be televised and will happen really quickly." Shelton is a native of Ada, Oklahoma, which is 75 miles south of where the tornado touched down. The storm has been upgraded to the highest level on the intensity scale, an EF5, and is considered one of the most powerful to ever hit the U.S.
When asked who might appear on the special, Shelton pointed to fellow "Voice" coach Usher and said, "I can call in some really big favors." Shelton and wife country star Miranda Lambert opened Tuesday's "Voice" episode with a version of "Over You," a song the pair wrote about his older brother's death in a car accident.
'The Voice' Pays Tribute To Oklahoma Tornado Victims.
A number of stars, including Katy Perry, Beyoncé and Rihanna posted their prayers for the people of Moore on Monday and Tuesday and urged fans to donate to the American Red Cross. Oklahoma City Thunder all-star forward Kevin Durant also stepped up and offered to donate $1 million to the Red Cross, which the team pledged to match, as did the NBA and National Basketball Players Association.
Actor David Spade also made a big pledge to the Red Cross, according to E! News, donating $200,000 for relief efforts. "When I was four, I moved from Michigan to Arizona and our house got hit by a tornado a week later," Spade said. "Always been scared of them. I know the Red Cross will do everything they can to help people get the help they need."
If you'd like to donate, text Red Cross to 90999 to make a $10 donation.