With Willie Nelson as founder and president, Farm Aid’s roots have always been in the soil of country music. Earlier this month, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum recognized this connection in the opening of their new exhibit in Nashville, American Currents: State of the Music.
In addition to Willie, the first epic concert before an audience of 80,000 on September 22, 1985, included Country Hall of Fame members Alabama, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride, Kenny Rogers and Tanya Tucker. Carried live on The Nashville Network (TNN) to a national audience of 40 million households, Farm Aid also showcased some of the top artists from rock and roll, including Willie’s co-founders Neil Young and John Mellencamp.
(From left to right) Back row: Charlie Muncaster and Gary Stanton of Muscadine Bloodline; Vince Gill; Bailey Zimmerman; BigXthaPlug; Charlie Handsome and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young. Middle row: Barry Bales; Jerry Douglas and Alison Krauss of Alison Krauss and Union Station; Shorlette Ammons representing Farm Aid; Sarah Jarosz of I’m With Her and Brandon Lake. Front row: Michael Cleveland and Jason Carter; Stephen Wilson Jr.; Carter Faith; Georgette Jones representing Tammy Wynette; Kaitlin Butts and Dan Rogers of the Grand Ole Opry. (Photo by: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum)
Farm Aid was unique in uniting country music and rock and roll on one stage—a phenomenon that now seems commonplace. Paul Corbin, director of programming for the Nashville Network (TNN), the cable television company that broadcast the first concert live, said in an interview with The New York Times: ”I don’t think there has ever been such a large number of country and rock acts coming together.” It was an early indicator of the truth that agriculture and food unites us all. In the 40 years since, Farm Aid has always been solidly country music and rock and roll, with every other genre peppered throughout.
From the first through its forty year history, legendary country artists have graced the stage, including June Carter Cash, The Highwaymen, Wynonna Judd, Bill Monroe and Tammy Wynette. Next generation artists include Garth Brooks, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Steve Earle, Allison Krauss, Martina McBride, Lyle Lovett, Keb’ Mo’ and Dwight Yoakam. And a new generation of country artists keep country’s support of Farm Aid strong, most notably Margo Price, who joined the Farm Aid Board of Directors in 2021, as well as Willie’s son Lukas Nelson, Tylar Bryant, Charley Crockett, Tyler Childers, Sierra Ferrell, Kyshona, Cassandra Lewis, Kacey Musgraves, Lori Rayne, Allison Russell, Sturgill Simpson, Brittany Spencer, Chris Stapleton, Billy Strings, Jesse Welles, Yola, and more.
Caroline Campbell McCormick and Shorlette Ammons watch video of Lukas Nelson performing at Farm Aid. Photo credit: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Thanks to the support of The Nashville Network, not just in 1985, but beyond, Farm Aid reached a large national audience at home, sharing the stories of farmers impacted by the 1980s Farm Crisis and raising millions to support farmers in need. Legendary Nashville talent agents Buddy Lee and Tony Conway were instrumental in those early years of Farm Aid, helping to produce the first concert, which was planned in just six short weeks, and stack the stage with talent. Renowned Nashville publicist Evelyn Shriver not only handled Farm Aid’s publicity but became a long-time member of Farm Aid’s board of directors.
The Farm Aid stage, with Glen Campbell performing, in 1985.
Farm Aid is grateful for its Nashville roots and continued connection. The exhibit runs throughout 2026. If you’re in town or visiting Nashville, we hope you’ll check it out!
