Farm Aid (1985–1989): Music for a Cause, Crews for the Mission

Continue to the Farm Aid 1990–1994 archive for later event material.

From 1985 to 1989, Farm Aid brought together artists, fans, and crews for something bigger than a concert—raising awareness and support for America’s family farmers. These shows were more than just music; they were a movement, built on teamwork and long hours behind the scenes to make each event happen.

This section of the archive gathers Showco-related materials from Farm Aid’s late ’80s concerts—photos, passes, documents, and other memorabilia as they’re located and digitized.

I’m building this archive by hand and will keep adding items as more materials are identified and preserved.

Were you on the road, in the crowd, or working with Farm Aid or Showco between 1985 and 1989?

If you have passes, itineraries, photos, paperwork, or stories from this era, please contact me to help expand this part of the archive.

Farm Aid 1985 — Footage from Buddy ‘Budrock’ Prewitt

Willie Nelson & Playboy Bunnies-Farm Aid 1986

Bonnie Raitt, Delbert McClinton - Farm Aid 1986

Heather Thomas - Farm Aid 1986 - Photograph by Ritchie McHam

Delbert McClinton, Bonnie Raitt - Farm Aid 1986

Zachary Richard, from a Zydeco show on Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX - courtesy Ritchie McHam

Willie Nelson Farm Aid 1986 - photo by Ritchie McHam

Willie Nelson w/Playboy Bunnies - Farm Aid 1986 - photo by Ritchie McHam

Tom Petty/Bob Dylan Stage Plot 9/22/1985 Farm Aid

Charlie Daniels Stage-plot 1985 Farm Aid

From the Dave Roesch Collection

A remarkable new firsthand contribution to the Showco Archives Farm Aid collection.

Dave Roesch worked as a stagehand at the inaugural Farm Aid on September 22, 1985, and recently shared an extensive collection of photographs and period material from the event. The images capture the view from behind the scenes — crew, staging, production, candid moments and the enormous operation surrounding one of the most memorable benefit concerts of the era.

Also included are pieces of original 1985 event documentation, adding another layer to the story of how Farm Aid came together behind the stage.

These are exactly the kinds of personal collections that help preserve the history beyond the performers: the people who built it, worked it and experienced it from the inside.

Courtesy of Dave Roesch.