Farm Aid

Farm Aid
Location(s) United States
Years active 1985–present
Founded by Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young
Website
farmaid.org

Farm Aid started as a benefit concert held September 22, 1985, in Champaign, Illinois, to raise money for family farmers in the United States. The concert was organized by Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young, spurred on by Bob Dylan's comments at Live Aid earlier in that year that he hoped some of the money would help American farmers in danger of losing their farms through mortgage debt.[1]

The first concert was at University of Illinois' Memorial Stadium in Champaign on September 22 before a crowd of 80,000 people. Performers included Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, B.B. King, Roy Orbison, among others,[2] and raised over $9 million for America's family farmers.[3]

Nelson and Mellencamp then brought family farmers before Congress to testify about the state of family farming in America. Congress subsequently passed the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 to help save family farms from foreclosure. Today, Farm Aid is an organization that works to increase awareness of the importance of family farms, and puts on an annual concert of country, blues and rock music with a variety of stars. The board of directors includes Nelson, Mellencamp, Young, and Dave Matthews. Young's speeches about the environment are a highlight of the annual shows. After the initial concert, the organization established emergency hotlines for farmers and farm associations. Farm Aid holds a farm disaster fund for farmers who lost their belongings and crops through natural disasters, such as the victims of Hurricane Katrina[4] and the 2011 tornadoes. The funds raised are used to pay the farmer's expenses and provide food, legal and financial help, and psychological assistance.[5]

The 2005 concert, marking the 20th anniversary of Farm Aid, took place at the Tweeter Center in Tinley Park, Illinois, with events in downtown Chicago as well. The 2007 Concert took place at Randall's Island in New York City (the first Farm Aid in New York) and was recorded in High Definition to be broadcast on HDNet as a 2 Hour Special highlighting many of the performances from the Allman Brothers and Counting Crows to John Mellencamp and Willie Nelson.

List of concerts

Through 2015, Farm Aid concerts have been held in the following locations:

Farm Aid
Date
City, State
Venue
Lineup Included
Notes
Farm Aid
September 22, 1985
Champaign, Illinois
Memorial Stadium
Alabama, Hoyt Axton, The Beach Boys, The Blasters, Bon Jovi, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, David Allan Coe, John Conlee, Charlie Daniels Band, John Denver, Bob Dylan, John Fogerty, Foreigner, Vince Gill, Arlo Guthrie, Sammy Hagar, Merle Haggard, Daryl Hall, Emmylou Harris, Don Henley, Waylon Jennings, Billy Joel, Randy Newman, George Jones, Rickie Lee Jones, B. B. King, Carole King, Kris Kristofferson, Huey Lewis, Loretta Lynn, Roger McGuinn, John Mellencamp, Roger Miller, Joni Mitchell, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Charley Pride, Bonnie Raitt, Lou Reed, Kenny Rogers, Brian Setzer, Sissy Spacek, Tanya Tucker, Van Halen, Debra Winger, Neil Young, Dave Milsap, Joe Ely, Judy Rodman, X
First Farm Aid Van Halen debuted new lead singer Sammy Hagar
Farm Aid II
July 4, 1986
Manor, Texas
Manor Downs Racetrack
Alabama, The Beach Boys, The Bellamy Brothers, The Blasters, Judy Collins, Rita Coolidge, Bob Dylan, Steve Earle, Joe Ely, Exile, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Emmylou Harris, Julio Iglesias, Rick James, Jason & the Scorchers, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Bon Jovi, Nicolette Larson, Los Lobos, John Mellencamp, Vince Neil, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Steppenwolf, Taj Mahal, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Walsh, Neil Young, X, The Unforgiven
The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were off site via satellite
L
Farm Aid III
September 19, 1987
Lincoln, Nebraska
Memorial Stadium
Alex Harvey, Emmylou Harris, Steppenwolf, Vince Gill, Lyle Lovett, John Denver, Lou Reed, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Bandaloo Doctors, Joe Walsh, Willie Nelson, The Unforgiven, Dr. Starr
The Grateful Dead were off site via satellite
Farm Aid 1989
1989
Various
Various
Willie Nelson
Farm Aid President Willie Nelson took Farm Aid on the road for 16 of his own show dates
Farm Aid IV
April 7, 1990
Indianapolis, Indiana
Hoosier Dome
Bonnie Raitt, John Mellencamp, John Hiatt, Carl Perkins, Arlo Guthrie, Gorky Park, Garth Brooks, John Denver, Bill Monroe, Alan Jackson, Asleep at the Wheel, Jackson Browne, Bruce Hornsby, Poco, Elton John, Lou Reed, Don Henley, Taj Mahal, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Guns N' Roses, KT Oslin
Steven Adler's last show with Guns N' Roses and participation of rock-band from U.S.S.R. "Gorky Park"
Farm Aid V
March 14, 1992
Irving, Texas
Texas Stadium
Arlo Guthrie, Kentucky Headhunters, Texas Tornadoes, Bandaloo Doctors, Bonnie Raitt, Little Village, Tracy Chapman, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Petra, Paul Simon, Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Highwaymen, Lorrie Morgan, Ricky Van Shelton, Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp
-
Farm Aid VI
April 24, 1993
Ames, Iowa
Jack Trice Stadium
Arlo Guthrie, The Jayhawks, Jann Arden, Lyle Lovett, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Ricky Van Shelton, Willie Nelson, Kentucky Headhunters, Marty Stuart, Charlie Daniels Band, Martina McBride, Bruce Hornsby, Bryan Adams, Ringo Starr, Black 47, The Highwaymen, Dwight Yoakam
-
Farm Aid VII
September 18, 1994
New Orleans, Louisiana
Louisiana Superdome
Neville Brothers, Spin Doctors, Gin Blossoms, John Conlee, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Deana Carter, Shaver, Al Hirt, Pete Fountain, David Allen Coe, Titty Bingo
-
Farm Aid '95: 10th Anniversary
October 1, 1995
Louisville, Kentucky
Cardinal Stadium
Hootie and the Blowfish, Dave Matthews Band, BlackHawk, John Conlee, The Supersuckers, Steve Earle, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young
The 10th Anniversary of Farm Aid
Farm Aid '96
October 12, 1996
Columbia, South Carolina
Williams-Brice Stadium
Hootie and the Blowfish, Marshall Chapman, Beach Boys, Son Volt, Robert Earl Keen, Martina McBride, John Conlee, Jewel, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young
-
Farm Aid '97
October 4, 1997
Tinley Park, Illinois
Tweeter Center
Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Fogerty, Beck, Dave Matthews Band, Steve Earle, The V-Roys, Mary Cutrufello, The Allman Brothers Band
-
Farm Aid '98
October 3, 1998
Tinley Park, Illinois
Tweeter Center
Willie Nelson, Phish, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Steve Earle, Del McCoury Band, Wilco
-
Farm Aid '99
September 12, 1999
Bristow, Virginia
Nissan Pavilion
Susan Tedeschi, Keb' Mo', Deana Carter, Barenaked Ladies, Dave Matthews Band, John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, Neil Young
-
Farm Aid 2000
September 17, 2000
Bristow, Virginia
Nissan Pavilion
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Arlo Guthrie, Sawyer Brown, Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt, North Mississippi Allstars, Barenaked Ladies, Tipper Gore, Willie Nelson
The 15th Anniversary of Farm Aid
Farm Aid 2001: A Concert for America
September 29, 2001
Noblesville, Indiana
Verizon Wireless Music Center
Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Doobie Brothers, Martina McBride
-
Farm Aid '02
September 21, 2002
Burgettstown, Pennsylvania
Post-Gazette Pavilion
Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Keith Urban, Lee Ann Womack, Kid Rock, Gillian Welch, Duane Cahill, Kenny Wayne Shepherd with Double Trouble, The Drive-By Truckers, Los Lonely Boys, Anthony Smith
-
Farm Aid '03
September 7, 2003
Columbus, Ohio
Germain Amphitheater
Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Emmylou Harris, Hootie & the Blowfish, Los Lonely Boys, Sheryl Crow, Brooks & Dunn, Titty Bingo, Trick Pony, Billy Bob Thornton, Daniel Lanois
-
Farm Aid '04
September 18, 2004
Auburn, Washington
White River Amphitheater
Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Jerry Lee Lewis, Trick Pony, Tony Coleman, Blue Merle, Tegan and Sara, Kate Voegele, Kitty Jerry, Marc Broussard
Farm Aid 2005: 20th Anniversary
September 18, 2005
Tinley Park, Illinois
First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Dave Matthews, Arlo Guthrie, Buddy Guy, Congressman Collin Peterson and the Second Amendments, Drew Davis Band, Elizabeth Rainey, Emmylou Harris, James McMurtry, Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra, John Mayer, Kate Voegele, Kathleen Edwards, Kenny Chesney, Los Lonely Boys, Shannon Brown, Supersuckers, Susan Tedeschi, Widespread Panic, Wilco, Barack Obama
The 20th Anniversary of Farm Aid
Farm Aid 2006
September 30, 2006
Camden, New Jersey
Tweeter Center
Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Dave Matthews, Jerry Lee Lewis with Roy Head, Los Lonely Boys, Arlo Guthrie, Gov't Mule, Steve Earle and Allison Moorer, Steel Pulse, Shelby Lynne, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jimmy Sturr & his Orchestra, Pauline Reese, Danielle Evin
-
Farm Aid 2007: A Homegrown Festival
September 9, 2007
New York City, New York
Randall's Island
Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews with Merle Haggard, Ray Price, Billy Joe Shaver, Tim Reynolds, Gregg Allman, The Allman Brothers Band, Counting Crows, Matisyahu, Guster, The Derek Trucks Band, Warren Haynes, Supersuckers, The Ditty Bops, Montgomery Gentry, Jimmy Sturr, Danielle Evin, Jesse Lenat, Pauline Reese, Paula Nelson, Titty Bingo, 40 Points
-
Farm Aid 2008
September 20, 2008
Mansfield, Massachusetts
Comcast Center
Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds with Jerry Lee Lewis, Kenny Chesney, The Pretenders, moe., Arlo Guthrie, Steve Earle, Nation Beat, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Jakob Dylan and The Gold Mountain Rebels, Danielle Evin, Jamey Johnson, Jesse Lenat, Will Dailey, One Flew South, The Elms
-
Farm Aid 2009
October 4, 2009
Maryland Heights, Missouri
Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds with Jamey Johnson, Jason Mraz, Phosphorescent, Wilco, Will Dailey.
-
Farm Aid 2010: 25th Anniversary
October 2, 2010
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Miller Park
Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Neil Young, Jeff Tweedy, Kenny Chesney, Jason Mraz, Norah Jones, Band of Horses, Amos Lee, Robert Francis, The BoDeans, Jamey Johnson.
The 25th Anniversary of Farm Aid
Farm Aid 2011
August 13, 2011
Kansas City, Kansas
Livestrong Sporting Park
Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Dave Matthews, Jason Mraz, Jamey Johnson, Jakob Dylan, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Will Dailey & the Rivals, Billy Joe Shaver, Robert Francis, Ray Price, Rebecca Pidgeon, Hearts of Darkness, John Trudell, The Blackwood Quartet.
-
Farm Aid 2012
[6]
September 22, 2012
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Hersheypark Stadium
Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Kenny Chesney, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Jack Johnson, ALO, Pegi Young & The Survivors, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Dale Watson, Jamey Johnson.
[7]
-
Farm Aid 2013
September 21, 2013
Saratoga Springs, New York
Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Willie Nelson, Pete Seeger, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Amos Lee, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Jack Johnson, Jamey Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Sasha Dobson, Carlene Carter, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Will Dailey, Bahamas, Pegi Young & The Survivors, Jesse Lenat, Insects vs Robots, The Blackwood Quartet
[8]
Farm Aid 2014
September 13, 2014
Raleigh, North Carolina
Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Jack White, Gary Clarke Jr., Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Jamey Johnson, Delta Rae, Todd Snider, Raelyn Nelson Band, Carlene Carter, Pegi Young & The Survivors, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Insects vs Robots.
[9]
Farm Aid 2015
September 19, 2015
Chicago, Illinois
FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Imagine Dragons, Jack Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Old Crow Medicine Show, Jamey Johnson, Mavis Staples, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Holly Williams, Insects vs Robots, Blackwood Quartet
[10]
The 30th Anniversary of Farm Aid

The Board of Directors

References

  1. ↑ Daniel Durchholz, Gary Graff. Neil Young: Long May You Run. Voyageur Press, 2010. p. 134. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  2. ↑ "Past Concerts - Farm Aid". Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  3. ↑ "Farm Aid 1985 – Champaign, IL". The Concert Stage. The Concert Stage. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Farm Aid: Saving the Family Farm". Hidden Kitchens. National Public Radio. November 23, 2006. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Tornadoes Devastate Southern Farmers – You Can Help". Farm Aid. Willie Nelson.com. May 2, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Farm Aid 2012 Ticket Information". Farm Aid. Farm Aid.com. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  7. ↑ "The Farm Aid 2012 Lineup". Farm Aid. Farm Aid.com. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  8. ↑ "The Farm Aid 2013 Lineup". Farm Aid. Farm Aid.com. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  9. ↑ "The Farm Aid 2014 Lineup". Farm Aid. Farm Aid.com. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  10. ↑ "The Farm Aid 2015 Lineup". Farm Aid. Farm Aid.com. Retrieved August 11, 2015.

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