Willie Nelson performs during Farm Aid, a benefit concert to help America's family farmers stay in business. AP/Wide World Photos. Reproduced by permission.

Many American farmers were in trouble during the 1980s. Because of an economic downturn, they faced bankruptcy, the loss of family farms, and the possibility that they must give up farming. Thanks to a number of musicians who came to their aid, many of these farmers were able to go on with their way of life. Beginning in 1985, these musicians held a number of benefit concerts to help America's family farmers stay in business. The concerts were known as Farm Aid.

Musician Bob Dylan (1941; see entry under 1960s—Music in volume 4) got the idea for Farm Aid from Live Aid (see entry under 1980s—Music in volume 5), a benefit concert for starving people in Africa. He wanted to hold a similar concert...