Archive for the ‘Farm Aid’ Category
Farm Aid 2026 – it’s a wrap
Tuesday, October 6th, 2026Farm Aid 1985 (Foreigner)
Monday, September 7th, 2026Country Singers to Stage ‘Farm Aid’ (Chicago Sun-Times) (August 18, 1985)
Tuesday, August 18th, 2026
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.”
Official Farm Aid 2026 T-Shirt
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026
Tickets available for Farm Aid 2026
Thursday, 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
Tuesday, 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
Nathaniel Rateliff Joins Farm Aid Board of Directors
Friday, February 20th, 2026
Farm Aid Hero
Saturday, January 31st, 2026
Happy New Year from Farm Aid
Thursday, January 1st, 2026
Support Family Farmers, Support Cotton and Union Workers
Tuesday, September 30th, 2025
Willie Nelson and Lukas Nelson, “Just Breathe”
Tuesday, September 30th, 2025Photo: Gary Miller
Willie Nelson and Lukas Nelson’s Farm Aid Duet of “Just Breathe” Steals the Show in Minneapolis
www.Americansongwriter
by: Chris Piner
While most singers eventually walk off the stage one last time, for Willie Nelson, that time may never come. At 92 years old, the country legend showed no signs of slowing down. Since 2023, Willie has released two albums a year. In 2023, he recorded I Don’t Know a Thing About Love and Bluegrass. The next year, it was The Border and Last Leaf on the Tree. In 2025, he released Oh What a Beautiful World. Keeping with the same rhythm, in November, he will release Workin’ Man. And speaking of a working man, Willie recently teamed up with his son, Lukas Nelson, for an unforgettable duet of “Just Breathe.”
Much like his time in the studio, Willie continued to travel the country, sharing his love for music and storytelling. Headlining the 40th annual Farm Aid fundraiser, the icon stopped in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for a night full of singers like Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, and even Bob Dylan. But when it came time for Lukas to take the stage, he stood by his father to cover one of Pearl Jam’s hit songs.
Willie Nelson’s Cover Of “Just Breathe” Labeled “Best Contribution To Music”
Originally released on Pearl Jam’s ninth studio album, Backspacer, “Just Breathe” landed No. 1 on the Canada Rock Charts. Eventually finding its way to the US, it hit No. 5 on the US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs.
Besides the charts, “Just Breathe” caught the eye of Willie, who decided to cover it for his 2012 album, Heroes. And discussing the cover, Eddie Vedder compared listening to the rendition to “Smoking a great joint without all the coughing or the smoke.” He even considered it one of the “best contribution to music so far.”
With fans loving the performance with both Willie and Lukas, “Just Breathe” became a heartfelt reminder of family, music, and timeless storytelling.
Farm Aid 2025 in Minneapolis
Tuesday, September 30th, 2025Farm Aid Memorabilia Auction
Monday, September 29th, 2025Willie Nelson & Family, “Angel Flying Too Close to the Sun” (Farm Aid 40, 9.21.25)
Monday, September 22nd, 2025Wisdom Indian Dancers, Farm Aid 40
Monday, September 22nd, 2025
Thank you to the Wisdom Indian Dancers, who open up and perform at Farm Aid 40.
Photos © Brian Bruner / Bruner Photo