Over 21,000 Fans Attend Farm Aid 2009

Willie Nelson & Dave Matthews

The annual FARM AID benefit concert was held YESTERDAY (10/4) at the VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATER in MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO (near St. LOUIS), with board members WILLIE NELSON, NEIL YOUNG, JOHN MELLENCAMP and DAVE MATTHEWS headlining. According to the St. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, over 21,000 fans were in attendance at the event, which praised family farmers for their "ingenuity and perseverance." 

NELSON said: "Family farmers are the first rung of the economic ladder in this country. Against all odds, they have persevered and found ways to stay on their land, growing good food for all of us and creating strong communities. It's time now for policy to rise to meet their needs with fair prices and support for their innovations."

The event began with a welcome from MISSOURI Gov. JAY NIXON at a press event hosted by longtime St. LOUIS on-air personality, CHARLIE BRENNAN. The U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) Deputy Secretary KATHLEEN MERRIGAN also attended. Other artists that performed at the show included JAMEY JOHNSON, GRETCHEN WILSON, WILCO, JASON MRAZ, TIM REYNOLDS, BILLY JOE SHAVER and more.

The concert was broadcast live on DIRECTV's 101 NETWORK and on SIRIUS/XM's "Willie's Place." Rebroadcasts of FARM AID 2009 will be aired this week on "Willie's Place" on FRIDAY (10/9) at 7p (ET) and SATURDAY (10/10) at 12p (ET). 

DIRECTV has pledged to match all of its customer donations, up to $50,000, made between SEPTEMBER 1st and OCTOBER 31st. In addition, those who attended the show and those watching at home can text FARMER to 90999 to donate $5 to the FARM AID organization.

Visit www.farmaid.org for more info.

« see more Net News