It’s hard to believe summer is gone and fall is around us. Harvest is in full swing in some areas while other are greasing the combines and getting equipment ready to go. Our hearts go out to the farmers and ranchers struggling to deal with the aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma and those dealing with the out of control wildfires in the West.
In 1985 during the farm crisis, Willie Nelson called Corky Jones, then President of AAM to ask what he thought about having a concert to raise awareness of the farm crisis and raise money to help struggling farmers. Corky told Willie it was a great idea and AAM would support him and help in every way possible. A month later in September 1985, the first Farm Aid was held and now 32 years later, Corky Jones and I are on the road to Farm Aid which is in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania Saturday the 16th. Corky and I have not missed a Farm Aid concert in the 32 years. Corky’s son Terry and my Grandson Colten are riding shotgun for us and to handle any of the heavy lifting that comes along.
Farm Aid is the longest running musical charity in the history of this country and continues to work everyday on behalf of family farmers. I am proud to be Farm Aid’s Historian and am excited to see all my friends at the event. Great people, great food and a music event unlike any you have attended. If you can’t attend it this year you can stream video online at farmaid.org starting at 3:00 PM ET. If you get AXS TV they are going to carry a live broadcast to begin at 7:00 PM ET and Willie Nelson’s SiriusXM channel 59 Willie’s Roadhouse will carry the entire concert beginning at 12 noon ET. I think you will hear Corky and I live before Willie takes the stage for the last set of the night. We always have a great time with Dallas Wayne, so tune in.
Some folks call it the Corky and Dave show when we road trip across country and a few times we have ended up in the wrong state from where we were supposed to be. When we get to Farm Aid we are the official greeters so eat your heart out Wal-Mart. I will try to keep you updated as the Farm Aid week moves along, so as Willie would say: “On The Road Again.”
~David Senter, AAM President
