NOBLESVILLE (AP) - Although the organizers of Farm Aid donated to the relief effort following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, that doesn't mean they lost focus for their own cause -- helping family-owned farmers survive against those that are factory-run.
Combining the two causes, Farm Aid sent 5,000 pounds of farm-raised meat products to make up for the 12 farmer's markets that were destroyed near the World Trade Center. References to the tragic situations of the bombing and the plight of family farmers were made throughout the eight-hour benefit concert/telethon (even the stage backdrop used American flags to bookend a picture of an elderly farmer riding a tractor while holding his grandson), which took place before 24,000 fans at Verizon Wireless Music Center in Noblesville, Ind., on Saturday (Sept. 29) and was broadcast on Country Music Television.
Midway through his set with Crazy Horse, Neil Young linked the two causes by reminding folks that family farmers have been in a battle for survival for nearly 50 years. Then he dedicated a new song, "When I Hold You in My Arms," to all those affected by these difficult times.
Young's speech and a reverent "Mother Earth" on pipe organ were the rare moments of calm. He displayed fiery intensity during "Love and Only Love" and "Rockin' in the Free World." Even though local hero John Mellencamp (from nearby Seymour) trotted out much of his standard Farm Aid set, which rocked harder than usual, the crowd took it in with the enthusiasm of hearing it for the very first time. "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A." brought out the "U.S.A.! U.S.A.!" chants.
Based on the large contingent of college-age concert goers, many who wore Dave Matthews Band T-shirts, it was no surprise he'd receive an enthusiastic response. After 50 minutes performing a solo set on acoustic guitar, the newest member of Farm Aid's board of directors, deserved the adoration.
The nearly hour-long set by Martina McBride, a onetime Kansas farm girl, rested on her charismatic stage presence and catchy material. Because of recent events, "Independence Day" changed from a tale of spousal abuse to a patriotic anthem. The line, "Let the guilty pay," caused the small pockets of flag wavers to become active.
Due to time constraints, Willie Nelson and his crack back up band, which included guest Susan Tedeschi on guitar and vocals, zipped through the day's final set. Earlier, Arlo Guthrie made his set a family affair by playing a couple of songs written by his father as well as performing with his two sons and daughter. The Doobie Brothers also got the crowd on its feet throughout an earlier 25-minute set of classic material.
After Guthrie's set, the six-plus hour broadcast on CMT began and all the day's performers joined together for a rendition Woody Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land." Their version, like the finale that closed the show, reflected the state of Farm Aid and those that it means to help. It was ragged to the point of falling apart, yet remained afloat due to the enthusiasm and good intentions of the participants.
