The Farm Aid triumvirate passed through the Austin area and I had the opportunity to see them courtesy of my friends Tina and Jeremy; I think it was a little company function for their business. It was very generous on their part since stadium shows (it was at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock) aren’t cheap.
Despite blistering 100+ F (40+ C) heat, we had a fun time in the shade behind home plate for the first third: an opening act and Willie Nelson’s set; then we moved closer to first base during John Cougar and stayed there through Dylan. I didn’t smell much weed which was unusual for numerous reasons, especially if one knows the basics on Willie, but I’m confident it was why Round Rock’s finest hauled off some lady in handcuffs (she didn’t look very dangerous to me).
As I said earlier, Willie Nelson came on first. He played the hits most people know him for “Whiskey River,” “Always on my Mind,” and “On the Road Again.” There’s others but the bigger surprise was him covering “I Saw the Light” by Hank Williams (I know it through The The’s cover). Contrary to what my wife thinks, Willie can sing, he’s just nearing 80 so he’s earned a pass from me.
John Cougar followed with his cavalcade of hits, “Pink Houses,” “Paper & Fire,” “Hurts so Good,” and “Scarecrow.” He made one big mistake, letting the audience vote on him performing an old song or a new one. Predictably, the masses wanted the familiar, hence the success of Bob, Jack and Fred stations. I most grateful Cougar didn’t do “Jack & Diane,” the ballad about Beavis and/or Butt-head’s possible parents.
Bob Dylan closed the show and was the only performer I recall getting an introduction. He also stuck to the hits, “All Along the Watchtower,” “Like a Rolling Stone” and “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35.” The surprise guitarist during the end of the set, not wearing a matching outfit, was Austin’s very own Charlie Sexton.
Quite a neat evening seeing a trio who’ve helped mold American Pop music.
I don’t have any pictures because the ticket said no photography. Foolishly, I obeyed while hundreds of other flashes went off throughout the evening. I should’ve assumed the camera order was probably against professional-level equipment.