.

Pete Seeger Makes Surprise Appearance at Farm Aid

09/24/2013
.
(Radio.com) Earlier this year, Farm Aid President Willie Nelson celebrated his 80th birthday, and the man shows no signs of slowing down. Beloved by millions not only for his music, but also for his activism and outlaw persona, he gets standing ovations the minute he hits the stage, before even playing a note. But if it's actually possible to upstage Willie at Farm Aid, one man accomplished it at this year's festival, which took place Saturday at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga, New York. And he's fourteen years Willie's senior.

When John Mellencamp played his hit "Pink Houses," he mentioned that that song had been inspired by artists who came before him who tried to make a difference with music. "When I was growing up, my parents used to play his records, and I thought, 'Wow, maybe I could do this someday. Ladies and gentlemen, Pete Seeger!"

The folk music icon then took the stage, armed with his banjo. "Friends, at age 94, I don't have much voice left. But here's a song I think you know, and if you sing it, why, we'll make a good sound!"

After that, he called the board members of Farm Aid � Nelson, Neil Young, Mellencamp and Dave Matthews � back to the stage to sing "This Land Is Your Land" with him. Midway through the song, Seeger told the audience, "I've got a verse you've never heard before!" More including video.

Radio.com is an official news provider for antiMusic.com.
Copyright Radio.com/CBS Local - Excerpted here with permission.

Pete Seeger CDs, DVDs and MP3s

Pete Seeger T-shirts and Posters

Share this article

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Pin it Share on Reddit email this article


...end