Farm Aid 2011 Set For August 13th

KANSAS CITY, Kan.—Farm Aid has announced that it will bring its annual benefit concert to Kansas City, marking the first time that the organization will stage the event in Kansas. Farm Aid 2011 will be the first concert event at the new LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, which opens June 9.

“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.”

Farm Aid 2011 will feature Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews on Saturday, Aug. 13. Other top artists will soon be announced. The concert benefits Farm Aid’s mission to keep family farmers on the land to guarantee an agricultural system that ensures farmers a fair living, strengthens our communities, protects our natural resources and delivers good food for all.

The concert event will celebrate music, family farmers and good food, and will again feature HOMEGROWN concessions—family-farm identified, local and organic foods. Farm Aid’s HOMEGROWN Village will showcase hands-on activities that give concertgoers a chance to meet farmers, get their hands dirty, and learn how family farmers enrich our soil, protect our water and connect us to our roots.

“Willie, John, Neil and Dave stand up to say that our country needs family farmers,” said Carolyn Mugar, executive director of Farm Aid. “Farm Aid 2011 is an opportunity for everyone to stand up with them. There is a strong culture of agriculture here in Kansas—rural and urban—and a growing movement to bring good food to everyone. We’re proud to bring Farm Aid 2011 to the Sunflower State and shine a spotlight on the family farmers and ranchers whose hard work and innovations are essential for all of us.”

“Farm Aid is a great inaugural concert announcement, as it builds upon a cause platform we started with LIVESTRONG Sporting Park,” said Robb Heineman, CEO of Sporting Club. “This unique opportunity for the region is just the first of many great events we will host, and we are excited for Farm Aid to kick it off.”

Kansas Governor Sam Brownback and Kansas City Mayor Joe Reardon welcomed Farm Aid to Kansas and highlighted the value of family farmers and good food to the state.

Since 1985, Farm Aid has traveled the country, staging annual concerts and supporting organizations that work locally, regionally and nationally to strengthen family farms. Despite the recent increase in commodity prices, family farmers still face an uphill struggle. In recent years, Farm Aid has received record numbers of phone calls to its hotline from farmers in need due to volatile farm prices, tight credit markets, escalating costs and disasters, such as the recent floods, droughts and tornadoes across the Midwest and South. Farm Aid’s annual benefit concert is its primary event to raise funds in support of the organization’s work.

Tickets for Farm Aid 2011 will go on sale Friday, May 20, at 10 a.m. CDT and are available by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets for Farm Aid 2011 are $29 for general admission; $39, $69 and $99 for reserved seats; and $149 for a limited number of premium seats. Ticket prices include a $4 facility fee. Parking is free. Additional ticket nformation can be found at www.livestrongsportingpark.com and www.farmaid.org.

Farm Aid will offer special advance sale tickets to Farm Aid members beginning May 12. To become a member of Farm Aid, visit www.farmaid.org.

Farm Aid welcomes the participation of the local business community and offers corporate sponsorship opportunities. For more information, contact Glenda Yoder at glenda@farmaid.org.

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 $39 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.

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Goddaugher Edition

This weekend I will be spending time with my Goddaughter, as well as my best friend, Tommy. There is a big township day happening in their town and every year we try to go together. It gives me a chance to see his kids and catch up with him and his family. Tommy and I don’t get to see each other as much as we’d like to, but we make the effort to get together at least on a monthly basis. It will be nice to spend the day with my Goddaughter and her brother (not to mention my best friend and his wife). The weather is supposed to be absolutely gorgeous and I am really looking forward to a fun filled day in the sun. Running around after a 3 year old and a 5 year old, well, that could be a little painful…

Here’s what rocked this week:

From Good Homes Live At The Wellmont
The From Good Homes Reunion continues. The band is playing two shows at the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, New Jersey, on Friday December 17th and Saturday, December 18th. Last year’s 2-night stand at the Wellmont is still being talked about, and with additional shows under the belt from earlier in 2010, these 2 nights are bound to be spectacular. Do yourself a favor and buy an early holiday gift to enjoy. These are going to be amazing concerts!

Kim Thayil Shares His Thoughts On Soundgarden’s Greatest Hits
Soundgarden released a greatest hits album this week (Telephantasm). Did you get your copy? Lead guitarist Kim Thayil sat down with Rolling Stone to share his thoughts on the hits of Soundgarden. During the time he takes a swipe at Rage Against The Machine, discusses the possibility of a new Soundgarden album, and talks about future releases, including a long awaited B-sides album. This is a very entertaining read.

Widespread Panic Performs Their First Two Albums
Following in the current trend of many performers, Widespread Panic performed their first two albums in their entirety for a benefit concert. Their first album was the first set and their second album was the second set. It appears to have been a very special evening.

Farm Aid Celebrates 25 Years This Saturday
Farm Aid is 25 this year, and to celebrate, they will be holding their annual concert at Miller Park in Milwaukee (home of the Brewers). Didn’t get tickets to the show, or couldn’t find a cheap flight to Milwaukee? No worries, you can do the next best thing. The concert will be aired in its entirety on XM Radio Channel 13 (Willie’s Place). Check it out if you have the chance.

For more concert announcements, ticket listings, strange habits revealed, and superunknown facts, you should follow me on twitter. www.twitter.com/ryovie

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Going On Vacation Edition

Next week, The Rock And Roll Guru will be on vacation. My family and I are heading to the lake for a week. We’ll be hiking, rafting, eating and drinking and enjoying some much needed downtime. I’ve been looking forward to it for quite some time, as has my wife. My daughter, well, she’s a teenager. When it comes to spending time with your family, I don’t think teenagers look forward to much.

While I’m on vacation, there will be no updates to the Guru. I’d like to say that I was ahead of the game and the site will go unaffected, but that wouldn’t be the truth. With my regular work schedule, plus all the other activities in my life, keeping up with the site has become a bit of a struggle at times. It’s worth it though, it’s always worth it. However, I am barely keeping up with weekly deadlines, so actually being ahead of the game is a luxury that is only a dream for now. Perhaps one day that will change, once I achieve my financial freedom and I am able to work part time and write full time (instead of the other way around).

Here’s what rocked this week:

The Dave Navarro Signature Guitar Us Now Available
It seems like everyone has a signature guitar these days. From Gene Simmons to Slash, all the guitar greats have their own signature line of guitars. This is Dave Navarro’s, an acoustic beauty from Epiphone. If you’re in the market for a new acoustic guitar, check this out.

25 Years Of Farm Aid
Farm Aid celebrates their 25th anniversary this year. The concert will take place on October 2nd in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (the first time the event has been located there). No word on performers, yet, but I expect that Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp will perform. I’m sure that Dave Matthews will be there as well.

Hear The New Buckcherry CD Before You Buy It
All Night Long came out this week. Even though you should buy it because it’s Buckcherry and they never steer you wrong, you can listen to it first if you must. Click on the link above to hear every track from the album. Then get out to the store and pick up a copy!

Guitar Center’s Drum Off Has Begun
Drummers, here’s your chance to be the next big thing. Sign up at a guitar center near you for the chance to win $25,000, a custom built drum kit, and a slew of other prizes. Click the link to learn all the details.

For more news, reviews, and oxymoronic contest names, you should follow me on twitter. www.twitter.com/ryovie

Neil Young Honored As Person Of The Year By MusiCares

Farm Aid Congratulates MusiCares 2010 Person of the Year, Board Member Neil Young

SOMERVILLE, Mass. Farm Aid board member Neil Young was honored as MusiCares’ Person of the Year at its award event last week. Young was honored for his artistic accomplishments and his philanthropic work with Farm Aid and The Bridge School. As a co-founder and board member of Farm Aid, Young’s unwavering commitment to family farmers has helped seed and grow the Good Food Movement.

In September 1985, Neil Young, along with Farm Aid board members, Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp, staged the first Farm Aid concert to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on their land. With support from fellow board member Dave Matthews and the nearly four hundred artists who have generously donated their time and performances, Farm Aid is now the longest running benefit concert series in America and will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year.

“For 25 years, my friend Neil has been an impassioned champion of family farmers. He rallies concertgoers year after year at our show, and he relentlessly calls on Washington to reverse the bad policies that force family farmers off their land,” said Farm Aid president Willie Nelson. “He’s stubborn, passionate, and persistent—just like family farmers.”

Along with a long list of all-star performers, Mellencamp and Matthews will perform at the MusiCares concert honoring Young. Proceeds from the annual GRAMMY Week gala will provide support for MusiCares, which ensures that music people have a place to turn to in times of financial, medical and personal need.

Farm Aid is planning its 25th anniversary concert. To learn more about Neil Young’s work with Farm Aid and about Farm Aid’s 25th anniversary concert, visit www.farmaid.org.

For 25 years, Farm Aid has worked 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 farmed food. Since 1985, Farm Aid has raised more than $36 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.