R. Reese Fuller

Willie, Gustav and Ike

by R. Reese Fuller

Country music legend Willie Nelson announced yesterday that Farm Aid will give $30,000 to help farmers in Texas and Louisiana affected by hurricanes Gustav and Ike. The Associated Press reports four organizations will receive $7,500 each, two of which are based in Louisiana - the Southern Mutual Help Association in New Iberia and the Louisiana Interchurch Conference in Baton Rouge.

Farm Aid 2008 kicks off at noon tomorrow in Mansfield, Massachusetts with 20 acts, including Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dave Matthews, Kenny Chesney, The Pretenders, Arlo Guthrie, Jakob Dylan and Steve Earle. Founded by Nelson in 1985 with Mellencamp and Young, the nonprofit organization has raised more than $30 million to assist America's farming families.