July 31, 2000 – Farm Aid will commemorate its 15th anniversary with a benefit concert scheduled for Sept. 17, at Nissan Pavilion, just outside of Washington, DC. The line-up for Farm Aid 2000 includes founders Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp with Barenaked Ladies, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Travis Tritt, Arlo Guthrie, North Mississippi Allstars, Jimmy Sturr, Shannon Curfman and more artists to be announced.

"Farm Aid is back in the DC area this year, with artists offering a unique day of music and with family farmers demanding a positive change," said Willie Nelson, Farm Aid president. "Family farmers are facing the worst economic times in decades. With the dedication of these artists, farmers and fans, we'll turn things around."

Tickets for this all-day musical extravaganza go on sale at 10 a.m. Aug. 4. Ticket buyers may call about a limited number of "Corn Belt" seats for $65. Pavilion tickets are priced at $42.50 and lawn tickets are $27.50. Parking and other applicable service fees will be added to the ticket price. Tickets are available at the Nissan Pavilion Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations. To purchase tickets by phone, call 703-573-SEAT, 202-432-SEAT, 410-481-SEAT or 1-800-551-SEAT.

"We were overwhelmed with the enthusiasm and support for farmers with last year's sell-out show, and we look forward to another exciting show this year," said Carolyn Mugar, Farm Aid executive director. "Our 15th anniversary show will offer music fans a rare opportunity to see great artists from a wide spectrum coming together to perform for one cause, to save America's family farmers. We are honored that these artists are willing to give their time and talents to help support our family farmers."

To mark Farm Aid's 15th anniversary, a compilation of great musical moments through the years is in production and scheduled to be released Sept. 12. This double CD will reflect the diversity of Farm Aid concerts and the history of devotion to the cause. Redline Entertainment is producing and distributing the CD, the proceeds of which will be donated to Farm Aid.

Farm Aid 2000, presented by Best Buy, will be telecast for the third consecutive year by CMT: Country Music Television as a live eight-hour special Sunday, Sept. 17, from 2 p.m. - 10 p.m. EDT. Also, the show will be aired that day on CMT Canada.

Farm Aid was founded in 1985 by Nelson, Mellencamp and Young to raise public awareness about the plight of the American family farmer and to provide assistance to those families whose livelihood depends on agriculture. In the past 15 years, Farm Aid has granted over $15 million to more than 100 farm organizations, churches and service agencies in 44 states. Farm Aid granted $58,000 to farm groups active in the mid-Atlantic region to help recover from the 1999 drought.