EDMONTON - Alberta honky tonker Corb Lund admits he's a bit nervous to be co-hosting a benefit concert for victims of the Fort McMurray wildfire.
But he's determined to help in the one way he can.
"Whenever these kinds of things happen, you sort of pitch in," says Lund.
"If I drove a backhoe, I'd do that. But I play music."
Lund is hosting the Fire Aid concert with Great Big Sea frontman Alan Doyle in Edmonton on Wednesday night.
Other artists include Blue Rodeo, Dean Brody, Randy Bachman and Nickelback.
Lund says he also plans to play a few songs with Ian Tyson.
All proceeds raised from the event at Commonwealth Stadium are to benefit the Fort McMurray United Way to support the city's efforts to rebuild.
More than 80,000 people were forced from their homes on May 3 by the wildfire that spread through the oilsands capital. About 2,400 homes and buildings were destroyed.
Lund was in Italy when the destruction happened. He followed the chaos on Twitter.
He credits residents for handling the evacuation as well as possible, along with firefighters who battled the massive blaze and worked to save 90 per cent of the city.
The country crooner says raising funds for Fort McMurray is great, but it's even more important to show people affected by the fire that Canada cares about them. Other fundraisers and concerts have also been held across the country.
People in Alberta have been especially caring, Lund says.
"It kind of sounds a little cornball - it makes me proud about people here."
Musicians are donating their time, while airlines are arranging their flights for free and hotels are giving them rooms, says Lund.
Concert organizers say tickets are still available.
