On July 13, 1985, before performing "When The Ship Comes In" with Keith Richards and Ron Wood at the Live Aid benefit concert for the 1983–1985 Ethiopian famine, Bob Dylan made comments about family farmers within the United States in danger of losing their farms through mortgage debt, saying to the worldwide audience exceeding one billion people, "I hope that some of the money ... maybe they can just take a little bit of it, maybe ... one or two million, maybe ... and use it, say, to pay the mortgages on some of the farms and, the farmers here, owe to the banks." He is often misquoted, as on Farm Aid's official website, as saying "Wouldn't it be great if we did something for our own farmers right here in America?"
Although his comments were heavily criticised, they inspired fellow musicians Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young to organize the Farm Aid benefit concert to raise money for and help family farmers in the United States. The first concert was held on September 22, 1985, at the Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois, before a crowd of 80,000 people.[1] Performers included Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, B.B. King, Loretta Lynn, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty, among others,[2] and raised over $9 million for U.S. family farmers.[3]
Willie and the other founders had originally thought that they could have one concert and the problem would be solved, but they admit that the challenges facing family farmers were more complex than anyone realized.[4] As a result, decades after the first show, Farm Aid, under the direction of Carolyn Mugar, is still working 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 music artists. The board of directors includes Nelson, Mellencamp, Young, and Dave Matthews, as well as David Anderson, Joel Katz, Lana Nelson, Mark Rothbaum, and Evelyn Shriver.[5] On 8 April 2021, it was announced that Annie Nelson and Margo Price have joined as board members.[6] Board member Paul English, who was Willie Nelson's longtime drummer, died in February 2020.[7]
The September 2019 lineup includes Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and country music star Luke Combs. The concert at Alpine Valley Music Theatre was Combs' first show at Farm Aid.[11]
In 2022, Farm Aid sought national recognition for the effort to encourage Americans to buy domestic beef.[12]
Farm Aid events| Event | Date | Location | Venue | Lineup | Notes |
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| Farm Aid | September 22, 1985 | Champaign, Illinois | Memorial Stadium | Alabama, Hoyt Axton, The Beach Boys, The Blasters, Bon Jovi, Jimmy Buffett, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, David Allan Coe, John Conlee, Charlie Daniels Band, John Denver, Bob Dylan, John Fogerty, Foreigner, Vince Gill, Vern Gosdin, 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, Lone Justice, 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, Eddie Van Halen, Debra Winger, Neil Young, Dave Milsap, Joe Ely, Judy Rodman, X | First public appearance of Sammy Hagar and Eddie Van Halen together shortly after Hagar joined Van Halen. |
| 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, William Lee Golden & The Goldens, Grateful Dead, Emmylou Harris, Julio Iglesias, Rick James, Jason & the Scorchers, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Bon Jovi, Doug Kershaw, Kris Kristofferson, Nicolette Larson, Los Lobos, John Mellencamp, Vince Neil, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Bonnie Raitt, Steppenwolf, Taj Mahal, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Walsh, Neil Young, X, The Unforgiven | The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers joined via satellite from Rich Stadium in Buffalo, NY |
| Farm Aid III | September 19, 1987 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Memorial Stadium | Alex Harvey, Emmylou Harris, Steppenwolf, Vince Gill, William Lee Golden & The Goldens, Lyle Lovett, John Denver, Lou Reed, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Bandaloo Doctors, Joe Walsh, Willie Nelson, The Unforgiven | The Grateful Dead joined via satellite from Madison Square Garden |
| Farm Aid 1989 | 1989 | Various
(as part of a tour of Willie Nelson in 16 US cities) | Various
(as part of a tour of Willie Nelson in 16 US cities) | 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, William Lee Golden & The Goldens, Lou Reed, Don Henley, Taj Mahal, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Guns N' Roses, KT Oslin, Iggy Pop, Henry Lee Summer, Roadmaster | 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, Asleep At The Wheel, Kentucky Headhunters, Texas Tornados, Bandaloo Doctors, Bonnie Raitt, Little Village, Tracy Chapman, Lynyrd Skynyrd, William Lee Golden & The Goldens, 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, Asleep At The Wheel, The Jayhawks, Jann Arden, Lyle Lovett, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Ricky Van Shelton, John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, Kentucky Headhunters, Marty Stuart, Charlie Daniels Band, Martina McBride, Bruce Hornsby, Bryan Adams, Ringo Starr, Black 47, The Highwaymen, Dwight Yoakam, Mickey Newbury |
| 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 Allan 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, Chris Knight. |
| 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 Amphitheatre | 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 | 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[13] | 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[14] |
| Farm Aid 2013 | September 21, 2013 | Saratoga Springs, New York | Saratoga Performing Arts Center | Willie Nelson, Neil Young, Pete Seeger, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Jack Johnson, Jamey Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Sasha Dobson, Amos Lee, Carlene Carter, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Will Dailey, Bahamas, Pegi Young & The Survivors, Jesse Lenat, Insects vs Robots, The Blackwood Quartet[15] |
| Farm Aid 2014 | September 13, 2014 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Walnut Creek Amphitheatre | Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, 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[16] |
| Farm Aid 2015 | September 19, 2015 | Chicago | FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island | Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, 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[17] | The 30th Anniversary of Farm Aid |
| Farm Aid 2016 | September 17, 2016 | Bristow, Virginia | Jiffy Lube Live | Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Alabama Shakes, Sturgill Simpson, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Jamey Johnson (with special guest Alison Krauss), Margo Price, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Insects vs Robots, Ian Mellencamp, The Wisdom Indian Dancers, Star Swain[18] |
| Farm Aid 2017 | September 16, 2017 | Burgettstown, Pennsylvania | KeyBank Pavilion | Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Jack Johnson, The Avett Brothers, Sheryl Crow, Jamey Johnson, Blackberry Smoke, Valerie June, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Insects vs Robots[19] |
| Farm Aid 2018 | September 22, 2018 | Hartford, Connecticut | Xfinity Theatre | Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Chris Stapleton, Kacey Musgraves, Sturgill Simpson, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Jamey Johnson, Margo Price, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Particle Kid |
| Farm Aid 2019 | September 21, 2019 | East Troy, Wisconsin | Alpine Valley Music Theatre | Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Bonnie Raitt, Luke Combs, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Jamey Johnson, Margo Price, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Yola, Tanya Tucker, Jamestown Revival, Particle Kid, Ian Mellencamp, Wisdom Indian Dancers, Ho-Chunk Thundercloud Singers [20] |
| At Home with Farm Aid | April 11, 2020 | Various | Entertainers' homes | Black Pumas, Bonnie Raitt, Boz Scaggs, Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton, Dave Matthews, Edie Brickell, Jack Johnson, Jamey Johnson, Jon Batiste, John Mellencamp, Kelsey Waldon, Willie Nelson with Lukas and Micah Nelson, Neil Young, The Record Company, Valerie June & The War and Treaty.[21] | Due to the impact of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic on the music industry, this concert's format was radically altered. |
| Farm Aid 2021 | September 26, 2021 | Hartford, Connecticut | Xfinity Theatre | Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Sturgill Simpson, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Tyler Childers, Margo Price, Nataniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Bettye LaVette, Jamey Johnson, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Allison Russell, Particle Kid, Ian Mellencamp & Wisdom Indian Dancers | |
| Farm Aid 2022 | September 24, 2022 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Walnut Creek Amphitheatre | Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Margo Price, Chris Stapleton, Sheryl Crow, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Particle Kid, Allison Russell, Charley Crockett, Brittney Spencer, Wisdom Indian Dancers |
| Farm Aid 2023 | September 23, 2023 | Noblesville, Indiana | Ruoff Music Center | Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan,[22] Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Margo Price, Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Allison Russell, the String Cheese Incident, Particle Kid, The Black Opry featuring Lori Rayne, Tylar Bryant and Kyshona, The Jim Irsay Band featuring Ann Wilson, Clayton Anderson, Wisdom Indian Dancers, Native Pride Productions | Featured an unannounced appearance of Bob Dylan. |
| Farm Aid 2024 | September 21, 2024 | Saratoga Springs, New York | Broadview Stage, Saratoga Performing Arts Center | Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Mavis Staples, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Lukas Nelson with The Travelin' McCourys, Charley Crockett, Joy Oladokun, Southern Avenue, Cassandra Lewis, Jesse Welles | |
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