Follow Zap2it:
Willie Nelson talks Farm Aid: 'We're still in a desperate situation with our farmers'
Twitter
Google
Saturday (Aug. 13), country legend Willie Nelson and a host of other artists will take to the stage in Kansas City, KS at the LIVESTRONG Sporting Park to put on Farm Aid, the longest running benefit concert series in America. It has raised over $39 million to help family farmers keep their farms and also teaching millions of people about the Good Food movement.Farm Aid founder Nelson (pictured above at last year's Farm Aid with Aerosmith's Steven Tyler) tells the Kansas City Star, "We're still in a desperate situation with our farmers and the land and the big corporations taking over farms and ruining the soil with chemicals and pesticides. It's been going on for so long. I think the biggest problem is with politicians who either don't know about it or don't care. At one time there were more than 8 million family farms in this country. We're down to less than 2 million."
"You wish we didn't have to do it, but you're glad you are able to do it, and you're glad people are willing to help you," Nelson continues. "Over the years, literally thousands of musicians have donated their time and services to Farm Aid. This year, it's the same thing. There's a great lineup of talent from all over the world coming to play for nothing."
The lineup this year includes the annual board members who always play - Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews - plus 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 and The Blackwood Quartet.
Tickets are on sale at the official website, but if you can't make it to Kansas City, there is also going to be a webcast on the site.
Follow Zap2it on Twitter and Zap2it on Facebook for the latest news and buzz
Photo/Video credit: Getty Images
Related pics
Zap2it Elite Sheet Must Reads from the Web's In-Crowd
Featured Partners
Willie is Great!!!!! Just saw him in concert this week in Michigan at Jackson County fair! He surprised us all by playing an hour and a half straight. Pretty good for a 78 year old man. Willie has still got it!!!!
God Bless you Willie!!!!!
Willie Nelson is a one and only, he looks just great as he always does and always gives the truth about things. Forever live Willie Nelson. Much Love to ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kansas City, KANSAS, not MO
Willie for president
willie-sell me an ounce
Dear Willie you are so awesome and when I lived in Reno ,NV you put on a show and then as we stayed late you invited any that wanted to go to ROSIES for a jam...we did and so enjoyed it you as always are so AWESOME the very best to you forever and always ..Hugs
Willie, you had me as far back as
i can remember. Radio,cassettes eight tracks vhs, word of mouth, and just my parents playin' and
singing your songs, You are the best of the best. Although my name is mary patricia, my family called me patsy.The songs you wrote can never be matched.God bless you and all you do for farmers.
love to you and your friends and family. Patsy
Willie, you had me as far back as
i can remember. Radio,cassettes eight tracks vhs, word of mouth, and just my parents playin' and
singing your songs, You are the best of the best. Although my name is mary patricia, my family called me patsy.The songs you wrote can never be matched.God bless you and all you do for farmers.
love to you and your friends and family. Patsy
Willie Nelson is a walking, talking and a true American Legend. Not only is he a great songwriter, actor, singer but a man who speaks his mind and piece on any subject he believes in. If we only had a just a few like him in political offices in Washington. The Y.S. Citizens could build this country back and take it away from corporations and foreign interest. Willie Please never stop being the voice of the true Americans we love you.
Thank God for you. I hope you and the Hag keep going , That way I don't fell so Old. Love you Man