Teenage Willie Nelson didn’t like choosing cotton when he was rising up so he performed in bands at native Texas dance halls as an alternative.
This doesn’t imply that he didn’t admire the worth of the household farm. Past turning into a rustic music icon when he grew up, he would additionally assist create a corporation that will assist household farmers in laborious instances.
On Saturday, September 20, the fruits of his labor, Farm Assist, will placed on one heck of a present for the fortieth yr. Let’s take a deeper have a look at the historical past of the occasion, who’s performing, why household farms matter, and find out how to tune into the live performance.
Bob Dylan impressed Farm Assist
In 1985, Bob Dylan carried out at Dwell Assist. Throughout his set, he talked concerning the struggles that American farmers face, reminiscent of excessive rates of interest and unstable land costs.
Nelson was impressed by Dylan’s phrases and received his buddies Neil Younger and John Mellencamp collectively to placed on their very own profit present: Farm Assist.
The primary live performance passed off simply six weeks after Dylan’s name to arms on September 22, 1985, in Champaign, Illinois, and raised over $7 million for household farmers. Performers included the three founders, together with Dylan, B.B. King, Billy Joel, Loretta Lynn and extra.
Who’s acting at Farm Assist 2025?
Quick-forward to 2025 and the performer roster has some similarities to that first occasion.
Nelson, Younger, Mellencamp, and Dylan are nonetheless devoted to the trigger. None greater than Nelson, who has carried out at each live performance and is a driving pressure behind the group.
These seasoned veterans shall be joined by Dave Matthews, Tim Reynolds, Kenny Chesney, Wynonna Judd, Madeline Edwards, Trampled by Turtles, and extra.
The place is Farm Assist 2025 going down?
This yr, the live performance and accompanying competition are going down at Huntington Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Why do household farms matter?
Nelson and Farm Assist consider that household farms matter as a result of they not solely assist feed the nation but in addition stimulate rural economies and defend the setting.
Household farms assist cut back America’s reliance on overseas imports and massive companies. Farmers are likely to cross down land by means of generations, in order that they have a vested curiosity in utilizing sustainable practices. Farms additionally assist protect the tradition of rural America.
How are you going to catch Farm Assist 2025?
If you end up in Minneapolis, you possibly can safe a ticket and rock out stay. There are even yummy homegrown concessions.
Those that are unable to attend in particular person have choices.
Cable community CNN will air a particular occasion Farm Assist 40 tonight (Saturday, September 20) at 7 p.m. ET. It would air on the community and stream on CNN.com and CNN’s cellular apps without spending a dime. In keeping with CNN, viewers gained’t need to authenticate with a pay-TV supplier to see the occasion.
Wire-cutters may also stay stream the occasion at farmaid.org starting at 12:30 p.m. ET. Moreover, the motion will be caught on the Nugs cellular app, at nugs.internet, or on the Nugs YouTube channel at 12:30 p.m. ET without spending a dime.
SiriusXM subscribers can eavesdrop on Willie’s Roadhouse, channel 61, or Dave Matthews Band Radio, channel 30, starting at 1 p.m. ET. This protection can even characteristic behind the scene interviews hosted by Dallas Wayne and Ari Fink.
