Big names like Scotty McCreery, Scott Avett and Eric Church salute UNC health workers

Some nationally and internationally-known artists who call North Carolina home indirectly answered a special request from Lisa Schiller, the chief communications and marketing officer for UNC Health Care.

Schiller reached out to Dave Rose, president and CEO of Deep South Entertainment. The artist and event management company has offices in Raleigh and Nashville, Tennessee. After more than two challenging months of intense healthcare demands due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Schiller hoped Rose could attract some star-studded encouragement.

Rose was eager to help.

"I said yes, that's a great idea. You know, we've got a great music community."

According to Rose, with canceled tour dates due to COVID-19 precautions, his artists spend more time in quarantine. Rose said they are still fulfilling interview requests for TV and radio, and several of the musicians are taking the opportunity to write new music.

Rose wasn't sure how big of a response he would get for Schiller's request, but the reaction was huge. "Big artists wanted to be part of this," said Rose.

The artists who participated include popular country stars like Eric Church, Scott Avett of the Avett Brothers Band, Kasey Tyndall, John Teer with Chatham County Line and 2011 American Idol winner and Garner native Scotty McCreery.

Other diverse acts under Rose's management include singer-songwriter Tift Merritt, hip hop artist Cesar Commanche, metal band "Lit" with Jeremy and A. Jay Popoff, bluegrass singer-songwriter Gina Britt and beach music group The Embers' lead singer Craig Woolard. In Woolard's selfie-video, he reworked "Hit the Road Jack" into a COVID-19 version, singing, "Hit the road corona -- and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more."

Woolard and artists like Matt Thomas with "Parmalee" combined music with expressions of gratitude for health care workers putting in long hours with increased risk to their own health.

A. Jay Popoff wasted no time in his video getting to the point, saying, "I want to thank all the UNC Healthcare workers and physicians for everything you're doing right now."

Jesse Henley with "Big Something" said, "You guys are the true heroes. Thank you."

Scotty McCreery announced his personal connection to the health care field.

"Being married to a nurse, I know all the hard work, love and compassion you put in your jobs every single day."

Eric Church expressed his appreciation by saying, "You guys are on the front lines. You're risking your lives to save ours."

Scott Avett said, "We stand in awe and gratitude for your commitment and your courage in this adverse time."

Rose said a couple dozen artists offered their selfie-videos for the cause. He said the artist's sentiments are truly heart-felt.

"It's affecting musicians sort of like it's affecting the rest of us," he said.

The difference is, according to Rose, the music stars understand they now have a platform that they can use in a positive way.

"They want to make music and they want to reach people, but they really want to help people in some way," said Rose.