Country Singers to Stage ‘Farm Aid’ (Chicago Sun-Times) (August 18, 1985)

August 18th, 2026
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Chicago Sun-Times
Sunday, August 18, 1985

CHAMPAIGN – Taking their cue from rock music’s Live Aid concerts for victims of African famine, country singers and other will stage a 12-hour “Farm Aid” concert here next month to help struggling American farmers.

Singer Willie Nelson told a press conference that he will be joined in the September 22 show at Memorial Stadium by Neil Young, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, John Cougar Mellencamp and Bob Dylan.

“What it really amounts to is we are going to call some attention to the farmer’s situation and raise some money and see where this money can be spent,” Nelson said.

The musicians might record a benefit album for farmers to raise money and attract attention to their plight, he said.

“I see no reason why we shouldn’t try and get everything out of this that we can,” Nelson said.

Nelson said he will meet with farm representatives from around the country to discuss how money raised by the concert should be spent. He said he thought the most immediate use would be feeding farm families.

Nelson said the group has set up a toll-free number to accept contributions: 1-800-FARM-AID.

A group of musicians came up with the idea to hold the concert after the Live Aid concerts in Philadelphia and London raised more thatn $70 million for famine relief in Africa, Nelson said.

When asked if the musicians would compose a song similar to “We Are the World”, which was recorded by dozens of rock and pop singers to promote awareness of hunger in Africa, Nelson said, “I hope someone will come up with one.”

This day in Willie Nelson History (August 17, 1985) Highwaymen #1 with “Highwayman”

August 17th, 2026

On this day (August 17) in 1985, the Highwaymen were at No. 1 with “Highwayman.” The song spent a week at the top of the chart and won a Grammy Award for Best Country Song, which went to songwriter Jimmy Webb. Later, the group took their name from the track. Interestingly, one of the group’s members had passed on it years earlier.

Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson released their first collaborative album, Highwayman, in 1985. At the time, they didn’t have an official name for the group. Instead, the album is credited to “Nelson, Jennings, Cash, Kristofferson.” The same was true for their 1990 sophomore release, Highwayman 2. They finally took the Highwaymen name in 1995 with their third LP, The Road Goes on Forever.

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Get the latest updates on Willie Nelson’s upcoming tour dates and purchase tickets to see the legendary musician perform live. Check back often, Willie is always On The Road Again.

www.WillieNelson.com

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Maryland Heights, MOHollywood Casino Amphitheater

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Bethel, NYBethel Woods

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Saratoga Springs, NYAlbany Med Health System at SPAC

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Virginia Beach, VAFARM AID: Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater

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New Album, Dream Chaser, Out NowFeaturing Song Co-Written with Bob Dylan.

Willie Nelson was Recently NamedOne of The New York Times Magazine‘s Greatest Living American Songwriters

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Willie Nelson Recently was NamedOne of The New York Times Magazine‘sGreatest Living American Songwriters

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Tickets available for Farm Aid 2026

June 11th, 2026


On September 26th Willie Nelson will headline Farm Aid 2026 at the Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater in Virginia Beach, VA! The full day of music, family farmers, HOMEGROWN food and agricultural experiences, will feature performances by Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young (& The Chrome Hearts), John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews (& Tim Reynolds), Margo Price and Nathaniel Rateliff, as well as Turnpike Troubadours, Lukas Nelson, Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs, Jesse Welles, Sierra Ferrell, Mon Rovîa, I’m With Her, Amythyst Kiah, Lily Meola and Chris Pierce.

A limited number of Club Luck presale tickets are available now!
Tickets for the general public go on sale on Friday, June 12th.



Farm Aid Set for Sept. 26, 2026

May 5th, 2026

Save the Date!

We’re excited to share that Farm Aid 2026 will take place Saturday, September 26.
Mark it on your calendar and scroll down to sign up for our newsletter to get all the details, including location and lineup, soon.


Each year, Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Margo Price and Nathaniel Rateliff host an annual festival to raise funds to support Farm Aid’s work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family farm food. Since 1985, Farm Aid, with the support of the artists who contribute their performances each year, has raised more than $90 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms.

Our most recent festival was Farm Aid 40, which took place on September 20, 2025 at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

“For 40 years, Farm Aid and our partners have stood with farmers, supporting them to stay on their land even when corporate power, bad policies and broken promises make it harder to keep going. Once again, we will bring you Farm Aid to celebrate the farmers who sustain us and to fight for a food system that works for all of us. Family farmers aren’t backing down, and neither are we.”
— Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson & Family announce new tour dates!

March 20th, 2026

Willie Nelson performing at 2026’s Luck Reunion

(AUSTIN, Texas) After headlining his annual Luck Reunion, Willie Nelson is set to hit the road again with Spring dates just announced. With the Austin American Statesman noting that his festival performance “deliver(ed) a defiant, crowd pleasing set” while the Austin Chronicle called it “one of his best sets in years,” Nelson’s upcoming tour stops are primed to be incredible experiences.May be an image of guitar and text that says 'WILLIE NELSON & FAMILY IN CONCERT 4.22 4.23 4.25 4.27 4.28 5.02 BIRMINGHAM, AL ATLANTA, GA ASHEVILLE, NC CARY, NC WILMINGTON, NC NEW BRAUNFELS ,TX SPECIAL GUEST: DRAYTON FARLEY* WILLIENELSON.COM SON COm WILLIENE f FACEBOOK.COM/WILIENELSOM'

Willie Nelson & FamilyApril 22 – Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Co.April 23 – Atlanta, GA – Synovius Bank AmphitheaterApril 25 – Asheville, NC – Asheville YardsApril 27 – Cary, NC – Koka Booth Amphitheater at Regency Park.April 28 – Wilmington, NC – Live Oak Bank PavilionMay 2 – New Braunfels, TX – Whitewater Amphitheater

For tickets and more information, go to WillieNelson.comOn May 29, Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, will release Dream Chaser, the new studio album from Willie Nelson. The album will be available on CD, vinyl, and digitally, including Dolby Atmos.

All versions are available for pre-order now, here: https://willienelson.lnk.to/DreamChaser

The album’s first single, the title track “Dream Chaser,” is mow available on all digital service providers. Written by Buddy Cannon, Bobby Tomberlin, and Willie Nelson, the song offers an early glimpse into the spirit of the forthcoming release.
Listen to “Dream Chaser” here: LINK

Dream Chaser marks Willie Nelson’s 79th solo studio album and his 156th album overall, according to Texas Monthly’s interactive All Willie Nelson Albums Ranked. Dream Chaser is a brand-new release that brings together a collection of reflective, story-driven songs focused on relationships, personal growth, and life on the road. Rooted in classic songwriting traditions with a modern perspective, Dream Chaser balances intimate narratives with universal themes of perseverance, timing, and clarity.

Dream Chaser continues Willie Nelson’s longrunning creative partnership with producer and co?writer Buddy Cannon, a collaboration that has yielded nearly 20 albums over the past 13 years. The two co-wrote 6 of the songs, half of which were written with the Nashville songwriter Bobby Tomberlin and one of which was co-written by one of Willie’s notable tour mates from 2025.
 In a 2025 GQ interview, Willie described the origin of “I Can’t Read Your Mind,” a rare Willie Nelson–Bob Dylan co?write, explaining that Dylan brought him the idea – “I can’t read your mind,” and the pair continued with “the letters are too small” – before Willie passed along his to Cannon, who developed the song into its final form. The album announcement coincides with Willie’s annual Luck Reunion, taking place March 19 at Willie Nelson’s ranch in Texas. Held during SXSW, …the Luck Reunion features special events, a songwriters’ roundup, and a stacked lineup of Willie’s friends and collaborators.  
This year’s performers include Booker T. Jones, Robert Lester Folsom, Trampled by Turtles, St. Vincent, Willie Nelson & Family, and more. 
Dream Chaser also follows a year of critical acclaim for Willie, who recently received two GRAMMY nominations for his albums Last Leaf On The Tree and Oh What A Beautiful World.

Willie Nelson – Dream Chaser

1. Dream Chaser (Written by Buddy Cannon, Bobby Tomberlin & Willie Nelson)
2. Fly Away (Written by Buddy Cannon & Bobby Whitlock)
3. We’d Make A Good Movie (Written by Willie Nelson, Buddy Cannon & Bobby Tomberlin)
4. I Can’t Read Your Mind (Written by Willie Nelson, Buddy Cannon & Bob Dylan)
5. Whiskey Wants Me To (Written by Buddy Cannon & Bobby Tomberlin)
6. Wonder What I’m Gonna Do (Written by Willie Nelson & Buddy Cannon)
7. After All (Written by Willie Nelson & Buddy Cannon)
8. Love Overdue (Written by Mickey Raphael, Donald W. Poythress & Anna Lisa Graham)
9. I Don’t Think I’ve Cried Today (Written by Buddy Cannon, Bobby Tomberlin & Willie Nelson)
10. Developing My Pictures (Written by Earl Montgomery) * * *
* *WillieNelson.comLegacyRecordings.com

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Luck Reunion

March 19th, 2026

Team Luck

From:info@luckreunion.com

To:linda@stillisstillmoving.com

Thu, Mar 19 at 3:31 PM

Not so lucky this year? You still have a chance to make it out to the ranch. Tickets are still available for Todd Snider Rules! tomorrow, March 20th. See you out here.  
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