Look To The Stars News: Farm Aid

Enjoy Homegrown Chili At Super Bowl And Help Farm Aid

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Centerplate, the largest hospitality partner to North America’s premier sports stadiums, convention centers, and entertainment venues, is proud to announce a ground breaking partnership with Farm Aid, and one of its founders, Indiana legend John Mellencamp, that will make Indianapolis’ Super Bowl XLVI the first ever to offer HOMEGROWN chili, sourced from sustainable family farms.

To make Super Bowl XLVI a true Heartland experience, three separate dishes will feature ingredients from local Indiana farmers. The HOMEGROWN menu will also include a vegetarian chili that will be the first organic concession dish ever served at the Super Bowl.

Inside Lucas Oil Stadium, HOMEGROWN signage will proudly recognize individual Indiana farmers by name on Super Bowl Sunday, putting the farmers, and their products, squarely on sports’ biggest stage. For every bowl of HOMEGROWN chili sold, Centerplate will also make a $2 donation to Farm Aid. And to raise awareness for this initiative, Farm Aid Board Member and founder John Mellencamp has signed on to help promote the HOMEGROWN Super Bowl initiative.

Willie Nelson To Be Honored For Charity Work

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Country music legend Willie Nelson is to be inducted into the Agricultural Hall of Fame for his role as founder and president of Farm Aid.

“I am extremely honored and humbled to join the company of the 38 prominent inductees already in the Agricultural Hall of Fame,” he said. “I have long said that family farmers are the backbone of our country. I never thought Farm Aid would need to be around as long as it has been, but we know our country needs family farmers, and Farm Aid will be here as long as family farmers need us. It’s up to all of us to work together to keep family farmers growing.”

The induction will be made on August 13, prior to this year’s annual Farm Aid concert in Kansas City.

Big Stars Align For Farm Aid Celebrity Charity Concert

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Farm Aid 2011- the celebrity charity concert for farmers – will take place at the LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in Kansas City on August 13.

Each year, Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews headline a Farm Aid concert to bring together a wide variety of musicians, farmers and fans for one mission: keeping family farmers on their land. Farm Aid is the longest running benefit concert series in America, raising more than $37 million to help family farmers thrive all over the country while inspiring millions of people to learn about the Good Food movement.

“I’m looking forward to bringing my friends together in Kansas for the first time to honor family farmers” said Farm Aid president Willie Nelson. “Farm Aid celebrates the independent family farmers and ranchers who make this country strong, and we know we can only fix the challenges our country faces with the know-how of family farmers.”

Good Charlotte To Headline Celebrity Charity Festival For Humanity

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:00:00 +0000

The brand new 4-day music and art festival at Mountain Creek Resort in Vernon, New Jersey taking place over Memorial Day Weekend called the Festival for Humanity has announced Good Charlotte as one of the headliners for Saturday, May 28th!

John Popper and the Duskray Troubadours have also been added for Sunday, May 29th. Other headliners include Third Eye Blind, From Good Homes, The New Pornographers, The Misfits, Sister Hazel, Cracker, Soul Asylum, Rebbie Jackson (sister of Michael Jackson) and many more! The festival has been created and aims to benefit charities of suicide prevention, health and nutrition.

Neil Young To Receive Humanitarian Award

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Legendary musician Neil Young will receive the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award during the JUNOs, Canada’s music awards event, on March 27. The Allan Waters Humanitarian Award “recognizes an outstanding Canadian artist whose humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada.”

A long time campaigner for social issues, Young’s concern about the survivability of American small farms led him to co-found Farm Aid, a benefit concert and awareness drive, in the mid-80s, along with musicians Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp. In its 25 years of existence, Farm Aid has raised over 37 million dollars to help save farms from foreclosure.

Farm Aid Launches Celebrity Charity Auction

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Farm Aid 25 takes place in Milwaukee on October 2, and a number of ticket packages are going under the hammer in an online auction to raise money for the charity event.

Farm Aid’s mission is to build a vibrant, family-farm centered system of agriculture in America. Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews host an annual concert to raise funds to support Farm Aid’s work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family farm food. Since 1985, Farm Aid, with the support of the artists who contribute their performances each year, has raised more than $37 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms.

This year’s concert will be held in Milwaukee on Saturday, October 2 at Miller Park. The performing artist line-up includes: Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Kenny Chesney, Norah Jones, Jason Mraz, Jeff Tweedy, Band of Horses, The BoDeans, Amos Lee, Robert Francis, Lukas Nelson and The Promise of the Real.

Stars Added To MusiCares Person Of The Year Charity Event

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Ben Harper and Lucinda Williams have been added to the all-star lineup for the 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year tribute to Neil Young on Jan. 29 in Los Angeles.

They join other performers Jack Black, Jackson Browne, T Bone Burnett, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Sheryl Crow, Everest, Patty Griffin, Josh Groban, Emmylou Harris, Elton John, Norah Jones, Lady Antebellum, KD Lang, Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp, Ozomatli, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Leon Russell, James Taylor and Wilco. The dinner co-chairs are Warner Bros. Records Chairman Emeritus Mo Ostin, Lookout Management President and Founder Elliot Roberts, and Warner Bros. Records Chairman/CEO Tom Whalley. Two-time GRAMMY-winning producer Don Was will be the evening’s musical director.

Neil Young’s philanthropic work is as renowned as his musical legacy. He was one of the original founders of Farm Aid in 1985, and continues to be an active member on the organization’s board of directors. Each October, he and his wife Pegi organize and host the Bridge School Concerts, a benefit for the Bridge School that he and Pegi helped found. The school ensures that children with severe speech and physical impairments achieve full participation in their communities through the use of assistive technology and the development, implementation and dissemination of innovative educational strategies. These weekend concerts have drawn an international array of musical artists and have raised significant resources for the school.

Farm Aid 2009 Hits Missouri

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:30:00 +0000

Farm Aid 2009 was held in Missouri on Sunday, October 4, and featured performances by Farm Aid board members Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Dave Matthews and John Mellencamp.

Held at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Maryland Heights, it was the first time the annual event has been held in the state.

“Family farmers are the first rung of the economic ladder in this country,” said Willie Nelson, president and founder of Farm Aid. “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.”

Neil Young: 2010 MusiCares Person Of The Year

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Neil Young has been announced as the 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year.

The 63-year-old musician is being recognized for his outstanding philanthropic work, including co-founding Farm Aid in 1985, and founding Bridge School – and running the annual Bridge School Concerts – with his wife Pegi in 1986. Bridge School was founded to develop and use advanced technologies to aid in the instruction of children with severe speech and physical disabilities.

“Neil has set a standard of artistic integrity and iconoclastic creativity for more than four decades, and his achievements have been matched by his unwavering humanitarianism,” said Neil Portnow, president/CEO of the Recording Academy and the MusiCares Foundation. “He is a shining example of how music people offer their creative gifts to the world, and how they also give back through their commitments to charitable endeavors.”

Early Tickets To Farm Aid Go On Sale Today

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Pre-sale tickets to this year’s Farm Aid concert are available today, July 17.

The concert will take place on October 4 at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Maryland Heights, Missouri. The annual event is set to include Farm Aid board members Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Dave Matthews and John Mellencamp, with more acts to be announced soon.

“Just as rock & roll is loud and proud, so is Farm Aid,” said Neil Young. “Farm Aid’s greatest accomplishment, I believe, is in the spirit. It’s the fact that we represent the spirit of the good fight, to keep something good happening. It just keeps getting stronger and stronger….”

Steve Earle To Play Charity Concerts

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:00:00 +0000

Steve Earle is to feature at the annual Christmas Jam to raise money for Habitat For Humanity.

The Grammy award-winning singer will join stars such as Travis Tritt and Joan Osborne over two nights at the Asheville Civic Center Arena, December 12 & 13.

“Christmas Jam started 20 years ago as an opportunity for local musicians to jam at the one time of year they were all in town at the same time,” said concert organizer, Warren Haynes. “Back then, we gave the money to whatever charity we felt like. As the event grew and we became aware of Habitat For Humanity, we settled on them because we believe in the organization and know the money goes where its supposed to.”

Singers Combine Talents To Support America’s Farmers

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:30:00 +0000

A 23-year-old music tradition continues on September 20 as Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young grace the stage at Farm Aid 2008.

While it’s the first time the event will be in New England, it’s not the first time Farm Aid will make a lot of noise. With the mission of combining great music and a great cause, musicians and organizers hope to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep struggling family farms afloat.

While not often covered in the media, there is a crisis facing family farmers in the United States today. Farmers are under intense economic pressure, especially during a recession, and every year thousands are forced off their land. As a result, our quality of food, environment, and food security suffers as large factory farms dominate the rural countryside.

Farm Aid 2008 To Rock New England

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:30:00 +0000

Rocker John Mellencamp has unveiled the main acts set to kick up a storm at Farm Aid 2008.

The concert – which will take place on September 20 – will be held for the first time in New England, and will see performances by Mellencamp, Neil Young, Dave Matthews, and Willie Nelson, all of which are on the board of directors for Farm Aid. More acts will be announced over the next few weeks.

“We are proud to bring our annual Farm Aid concert to a region that has such strong agricultural roots and to the many people who love to eat the good food grown in New England,” said Nelson, Farm Aid’s president. “I’m looking forward to bringing my friends together on the Farm Aid stage to celebrate and support family farmers.”

Billy Joel - A Philanthropic Man

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 10:26:01 +0000

Billy Joel is back with his first new song since 1994 – sort of. The 58-year-old singer has made a triumphant return with “Christmas in Fallujah”, a protest song about the war in Iraq, with proceeds going to charity.

“I guess [it’s] just a cumulative effect of this war,” said the Grammy winning singer about how he came to write the song. “We’ve been there longer than World War II. I’ve been getting mail from service people over there, and there seemed to be a similar theme running through the letters, which was a sense of alienation from the home front. I think a lot of people are starting to feel like they’re forgotten.”

However, don’t expect to hear Joel’s trademark piano on the recording – in fact, don’t expect to hear much of Joel himself. The semi-retired entertainer decided to let a young musician from Long Island, 21-year-old Cass Dillon, take the lead vocals.

More Artists Join Farm Aid in New York

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 13:31:07 +0000

As reported earlier, Farm Aid is set to take place on Sunday, September 9 at Randall’s Island in New York City. This is the first time that the day-long music festival will take place in New York, and it’s setting the stage for future major concert events to feature an abundance of family farm food vendors, serving local, organic, humanely-raised and family farmed food. There will also be hands-on, interactive exhibits with farmers and activities that inspire living a homegrown life.

Farm Aid 2007: A Homegrown Festival is drawing huge support from the music scene, and recently joining the already incredible lineup are Ray Price, Merle Haggard, Danielle Evin, Jesse Lenat, Jimmy Sturr, Pauline Reese, Billy Joe Shaver and Paula Nelson. Fans have the chance to win front row seats, airfare and hotel accommodations for Farm Aid 2007: A HOMEGROWN Festival at www.topofthehaystack.com.

Tickets for Farm Aid 2007: A HOMEGROWN Festival are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling (212) 307-7171, (631) 888-9000 or (203) 624-0033. Ticket prices are $52 for general admission, $102 for reserved seats and $302 for VIP reserved seats. The VIP package includes catering in an exclusive area and other amenities.

Farm Aid Concert Lineup Announced

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:36:09 +0000

Farm Aid has announced the full lineup of performers for its upcoming day-long event, Farm Aid 2007: A HOMEGROWN Festival. Artists representing a variety of genres are slated to join Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews on Sunday, September 9 at Randall’s Island in New York City. The show will promote food from family farmers and raise funds for Farm Aid’s work throughout the year to strengthen family farm agriculture.

Visitors to the festival will have the chance to enjoy performances by Tim Reynolds, The Allman Brothers Band, Counting Crows, Matisyahu, Guster, The Derek Trucks Band, Warren Haynes, Supersuckers, The Ditty Bops and Montgomery Gentry. Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, The Allman Brothers Band, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds are scheduled to play full sets.

“Thanks to a warm welcome from Mayor Bloomberg and New Yorkers, Farm Aid is bringing the annual concert to New York for the first time in 22 years,” said Carolyn Mugar, Farm Aid’s executive director. “With inspiring music from generous artists and a menu of family farm food, Randall’s Island will be transformed into a music festival to be remembered.”

Music Legends Bring Farm Aid to New York

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 07:55:41 +0000

What other better way to raise awareness and funds than having a fun filled annual concert loaded with country, blues and rock music? Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews seem to be doing a great job in creating such fun with a cause.

Farm Aid is back, and on September 9, it will continue its mission to create awareness of the importance of family farms at its concert in Randall’s Island, New York. Farm Aid 2007: A HOMEGROWN Festival is not to be missed, promising superb tunes from great lineups, 100% delicious family farm food and homegrown fun.

Founded in 1985, Farm Aid was created to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on their land producing fresh, healthful food for everyone. Farm Aid has raised more than $30 million for the good cause. For more information on the concert visit the Farm Aid website.