Willie wails for a cause

By MINDY POEHL | Central Texas Edition

Willie Nelson performs at a concert called “Hurricane Relief: From Willie’s Place to the Gulf Coast” in front of a sold out crowd at Carl’s Corner, located north of Hillsboro on Interstate-35. The proceeds from the concerts, $106,000, will be donated to hurricanes Katrina and Rita victims. -- Photo by Ty Stepp

Oct. 6, 2005 - Legendary singer Willie Nelson has fired up millions of fans for decades. Now, Nelson is utilizing his voice to help Farm Aid, an organization founded by Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp that gathers money to strengthen the family farm system of agriculture, to raise money for the victims of hurricane Katrina. 

Farm Aid has already pledged $30,000 for hurricane recovery and continued to raise funds for the widespread needs of Katrina’s victims Sept. 26-28, when Nelson performed at Carl's Corner in Hill County.

Carl's Corner is a truck stop located north of Hillsboro on highway I-35, between Dallas and Waco. The truck stop is home to "Willie’s Place," Nelson’s new musical theater, where he performed the benefit concerts.  The proceeds from the concerts will go to the regions hardest hit by Katrina in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida.

On Monday, Sept. 26, Nelson kicked off his concert, called "Hurricane Relief: From Willie’s Place to the Gulf Coast," with a sold out audience and special guest Johnny Lovett. 

�Nelson is a big supporter of farmers and has helped many farmers over the years through the Farm Aid program. Nelson hopes the show will bring attention to the tragic circumstances of the families devastated by hurricane Katrina and wishes that farm families can get the help they need to recover and continue farming.�

Individuals can contribute online at www.farmaid.org or by calling 1-800-FARM-AID .