Reba, Blake Shelton Perform Tornado Relief Concerts

When an E3 tornado hit Tushka in Atoka County, Oklahoma, on April 14, two of the state's most famous names immediately stepped up to help. Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton return to their home state on May 25 and 26, for the Tornado Relief Concerts to aid the state's storm victims.

"Blake and I are coming home to help the folks in Atoka County, give them a little relief from the stress they've had in the past weeks, and raise a lot of money to help them get back on their feet," Reba tells The Boot. "I'm from Atoka County, and some of my family members and friends lost their homes. This is our way of giving back."

Reba hinted that there may be a few surprises guests, although she wouldn't reveal any names just yet.

The twisters hit in southeastern Oklahoma, just about midway between where Reba is from and where Blake and new wife Miranda Lambert live. Reba was raised on the family ranch in Chockie and attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, where the concerts will be held.

"We wanted to do something and let the people in Oklahoma know that we love them and we're praying for them during this difficult tragedy," Reba told the Oklahoman newspaper when the concert dates were announced. "A lot of people lost a great deal in this disaster and it's particularly close to us because we both consider Oklahoma home."

Blake was raised in Ada but he and Miranda now live in Tishomingo in Johnston County, which borders Atoka County. The singer has previously helped fellow Oklahomans who suffered from natural disasters by hosting various charity events in his hometown.

"Oklahoma defines who I am and seeing the effects this disaster has had on my neighbors, I knew I had to do something," says Blake. "Reba and I have a lot of love for this state and we wanted to do what we can to help. This place is my home and these people are family to us."

Two people were killed by the storms, which hit in late evening in Tushka. Forty more were injured and 150 homes and businesses were destroyed.

"When tickets went on sale for the Thursday concert, it sold out in two hours," Bryan Painter, a reporter for the Oklahoman tells The Boot. "They immediately announced a concert for Wednesday, which also sold out."

Painter went on to say that the people in the Tushka area rallied to help those who had been hit by the tornadoes.

The shows will be held at the Choctaw Event Center in Durant, and are being held in partnership with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and Choctaw Casino Resort.

All proceeds from the shows will go to Atoka County's ongoing relief efforts through the Tushka Disaster Relief Fund. In addition to the concerts, a mobile fundraising campaign has been set up through The mGive Foundation, www.mGive.org.