the band perry

GREENVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Band Perry traded the touring road for the country lanes of Greene County Monday. The chart-toppers’ visit to their storm-devastated hometown was music to the ears of tornado victims.

The trio — which is currently on tour with Tim McGraw, having recently been named the Academy of Country Music‘s new artist of the year — spent a rare off day delivering hot meals and lifting the spirits of those impacted by the April 27 disaster.

“This is actually the first opportunity we’ve had to come home since the storm,” said lead singer Kimberly Perry in between Red Cross meal deliveries. “I just had no idea. It looks like a war zone, which it practically was — war against nature. It’s just so heartbreaking. There’s still a lot of work that has to be done out here. Lots of folks are hurting.”

One grateful meal recipient was Camp Creek resident Chuck Feiling, who said he lost everything. His wife Cheryl shattered her shoulder in the storm and remains in the hospital.

“I meet (famous) people either through tragedies or at a NASCAR race,” joked Feiling, who said he works with caterers at NASCAR events all over the country. “That’s my motor home laying on its side down there so I won’t be going to any races soon.”

The band delivered more than a meal to Feiling. Their visit left the “country music fan from way back” beaming. He said the band’s grandmother (Betty Lou) shops at the Greeneville department store where his wife works and “brags about these kids all the time.