Farm Aid’s landmark 40th anniversary is about to reach its biggest audience yet, thanks to an unprecedented partnership with CNN that’ll bring America’s longest-running benefit concert straight into living rooms nationwide. The September 20th broadcast marks a fascinating evolution for a festival that started as a grassroots movement and has grown into a multimedia phenomenon.
Picture this: Willie Nelson — his face etched with four decades of advocacy — taking the stage at Minneapolis’ Huntington Bank Stadium alongside an all-star lineup that reads like a dream team of American music. For the first time ever, CNN will broadcast five hours of live coverage, from 7 p.m. to midnight ET, showcasing performances that bridge generations and musical traditions.
The roster? Well, it’s nothing short of spectacular. Neil Young with the Chrome Hearts, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews with Tim Reynolds, and the unstoppable Margo Price are just the beginning. They’re joined by Kenny Chesney, the genre-defying Billy Strings, and Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats — not to mention Trampled by Turtles and the legendary Wynonna Judd. In a touching nod to musical legacy, Willie’s son Lukas Nelson recently joined the lineup, adding another layer to this rich tapestry of talent.
But here’s the thing about Farm Aid — it’s never been just about the music. Sure, the organization has raised north of $85 million over four decades, but the real story lies in the fields and families it supports. CNN seems to get that. They’re sending chief climate correspondent Bill Weir into the heartland to share stories from Minnesota’s farming communities, while anchors John Berman and Laura Coates help connect the dots between the music and its mission.
Can’t make it to Minneapolis? No worries. The festival’s embracing a multi-platform approach that feels thoroughly modern while staying true to its roots. SiriusXM’s continuing its 16-year tradition of broadcasting on Willie’s Roadhouse and Dave Matthews Band Radio. Meanwhile, nugs.net’s offering free streaming across various platforms — because great causes deserve great access.
“Farm Aid is thrilled to partner with CNN this year,” says Jennifer Fahy, co-executive director of Farm Aid. “Having this increased exposure through CNN’s audience during our 40th anniversary year feels especially meaningful.” She’s got a point — the timing couldn’t be better.
The organization’s even created something pretty special for at-home viewers: a Farm Aid 40 Watch Party Kit. Complete with HOMEGROWN recipes and Farm Aid bingo, it’s a clever way to build community around the broadcast. Who’d have thought that a response to the 1980s farm crisis would evolve into such a sophisticated movement for agricultural justice?
Yet despite the corporate partnerships and slick production values, there’s something beautifully unchanged at Farm Aid’s core. It’s still about musicians using their platforms to amplify the voices of America’s family farmers. CNN’s decision to broadcast this milestone celebration suggests these stories still need telling — perhaps now more than ever.
For five hours this September, as some of American music’s finest warriors share their songs with a national audience, we’ll witness how a simple idea can grow into something extraordinary. Sometimes the most powerful revolutions don’t start with a bang, but with a guitar chord and an unwavering belief in doing what’s right.
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