All eyes this year have been on Band Aid and Live Aid but let’s focus here on Farm Aid, the other Aid at 40 in Minnesota.
That the Land of 10.000 Lakes is staging this year’s Farm Aid, its 40th, is a homecoming of sorts.
With Minnesota’s favourite son Bob Dylan the inspiration for the charity which has helped out struggling farmers with $80m.
The Bard of Duluth
Because it was the Bard of Duluth who planted the seed for the movement which continues to pull up trees.
When he made a cri de coeur during his performance at the Philadelphia leg of Band Aid.
By exhorting the organisers to use some of the money raised to pay the mortgages on some of the farms in the US.
A clarion call that was taken up by Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Elton John and Bonnie Raitt annually over four decades.
The Grand Old Men and Women of Country and Americana will gather at Minneapolis’ Huntington Bank Stadium on September 20.
The pre-festival
A pre-festival event, Color Me Country Takeover at the Fine Line two days before will honour the legacy of diverse musical artists and farmers.
And will feature this year’s Academy of Country Music Lift Every Voice Award recipient, artist Rissi Palmer.
Of course, there is one other who might contest that he is Minnesota’s favourite son, one Prince Rogers Nelson.
And, of course, there is always something new and purple going on in Minnesota.
Prince Rain over us
With Purple Rain, the world premiere stage adaptation of Prince’s legendary film and album, running October 16-November 16.
At Minneapolis’ historic State Theatre before an anticipated Broadway run.
More Minneapolis stages like the Guthrie, Latte Da, Jungle and others have theatrical productions throughout the fall season.
Jet over to Minnesota
While Sir Paul McCartney will appear at U.S. Bank Stadium in the Got Back Tour on October 17.
So Get Back to Minnesota if you’ve been before or jump on the Jet out there for the first time.
Or if you can turn your mind to those who till the land of this great state and country back in the USA.
And you’ll be doing something for the other Aid at 40 in Minnesota.
And because we always promote transatlantic travel out of Dublin with Aer Lingus with preclearance.
Dublin to Minneapolis flights from €196.43 as part of an each way flight.
