By BLUEGRASS JOHNSON
Rural Route Music 

BITTERSWEET, Ky. — It’s hard to believe that the first Farm Aid concert took place 30 years ago but indeed the most recent event last month marked three decades of bringing some of the greatest musicians in the business together in an effort to support family farms.

Farming and music are two of my most favorite things in the world, and the whole idea of why Farm Aid began highlights how great the true American spirit can be.

In 1985 Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp came together and organized the first Farm Aid to raise awareness that family farms were going away. The money raised was used to help keep those farm families on their land. The three serve on the Farm Aid board in addition to Dave Matthews who joined the cause in 2001.

During this 30 year period more than $48 million has been raised for the cause. This initiative helps promote the food being grown on our family farms, helps create more markets for that food and helps support farm families in crisis.

Let’s face it folks, in order to live we have to eat; and in order to eat, we have to have a strong farming system. It’s as simple as that.

Now that I have stepped off my soapbox, let’s talk about the great music that has filled each and every Farm Aid concert.

If Willie, Neil and John were the only singers at the concert, it would be an amazing event. But through the years, in addition to these superstars, there have been countless groups and individual performers that have graced the Farm Aid stage. And what is so great is the diversity of genres represented at each show. There truly is something for everyone.

Other musicians who came to the first Farm Aid included Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, B.B. King, the Beach Boys, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Roy Orbison, and that is just a handful of the great musicians that provided their talents for this noble cause.

This year, Jamie Johnson, Kasey Musgraves, Mavis Staples, Old Crowe Medicine Show and the Blackwood Quartet, among others made their way to Farm Aid.

Willie Nelson said that when Farm Aid started a crisis was gripping the country.

"Farm Aid called on America to stand up for family farmers. They showed up then, and they’re still showing up. All different types of people are coming together for family farmers, and we’re making a difference," he added.

The lineups may not be as big as those in the beginning. But the cause is the same and the results are, as Willie said, making a difference. For all their efforts I give the Farm Aid folks a big A and I hope we all remember how important our family farms are to our existence.

Bluegrass Johnson comes from a long line of country music performers and enjoys a passion for the rhythm and melody. From the hills of Kentucky, he will offer his opinions on a variety of new country music each week. Readers with questions or comments may write to Johnson in care of this publication.