Kenny Chesney Added to Farm Aid 25 Lineup
Farm Aid -- the annual benefit concert organized in 1985 by Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young -- hits the quarter-century mark in 2010, with some of music's biggest stars on hand to perform at this year's event.
Kenny Chesney is the latest superstar added to the eclectic lineup. Other performers include Norah Jones, Amos Lee, Jason Mraz, Dave Matthews, Jeff Tweedy and Band of Horses, as well as both John and Willie.
Farm Aid 25: Growing Hope in America is the culmination of 25 years of Willie devoting much of his time and energy to the cause. His tireless work, John says, is worthy of recognition. "It is very important we point out that I think Willie should get the Nobel Peace Prize for Farm Aid," John said in a recent webcast. "This thing has been going on 25 years ... I am very proud of Willie. Whoever does this Nobel Peace Prize should look at Willie Nelson. My contribution is from the neck down. Willie is the brains behind the outfit."
For Willie, though, helping those small family farms in need stems from early life lessons. "We have to be concerned about other people, regardless," he told Parade magazine recently. "I don't like seeing anybody treated unfairly. It sticks in my craw. I hold on to the values from my childhood."
Farm Aid 25 will be held October 2 in Milwaukee, Wis. Fans unable to attend the concert can watch the live show here.