In 1985, I drove down to Champaign, Illinois for Farm Aid, a concert put on to help the small, family farmers of America survive. Yesterday, 24 years later, I photographed Farm Aid 2009, which for 24 years has helped teach America how to eat properly. The dedication of the staff and board of Farm Aid is amazing, helping farmers nationwide work more efficiently and in some cases, transition to growing organic food.The concert every year is a smorgasbord of musical styles, finished off as they do every year by Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews.
This year, they were joined by Wilco, Jamey Johnson and Gretchen Wilson among others. The weather was perfect, the show was great and a good time was had by all.
I now realize how old and tired I have become, with 13 hours of solid shooting with no time for lunch or dinner!
Wilco was a highlight for me. It is great to see a Chicago band rocking out like I have never seen them rock out! Jamey Johnson could be the new Merle Haggard and Neil Young kicked the crowds butt with his usual mix of great songs and biting commentary and Willie Nelson as usual was the most valuable player of the show!
Willie and Neil Jeff Tweedy of Wilco
Jamey, Willie and Dave Neil Young