Farm AID's Founder: Willie Nelson

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That came as something of a shock. "I figured people would respond," says Willie, "but not nearly as well as they did, and as all that money started rollin' in, I had to rethink my position. I realized I had to do a lot more than make some calls and go out and sing. My name was attached to that money, so by necessity I had to take responsibility and decide that I would be the one who writes the checks. So that's what happens; nothing goes out without my signature on it. And so far, I know that every quarter of that money has gone to benefit the family farmer in some way."

After Farm Aid One in Illinois and Farm Aid Two, held in Austin on the Fourth of July, 1986, the approximate total for which Willie has taken personal responsibility is $14 million.

And Willie doesn't just sign the checks; he approves them.

"He makes the final decisions," says Caroline Mugar, the director of Farm Aid (Willie is chairman of the board). "We just do the research on what's going on, who's doing what where, what they hope to do and how they've used the money they've already gotten, and we make recommendations. Then Willie decides."

Like most people, Mugar finds her boss impressive. A lifelong country music fan and veteran activist whose experience includes work at Wounded Knee and organizing for the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers' Union, she has seen some of the stars of activist work in action. She finds in Willie a rare quality.

"He has wonderful instincts," she says. "He can really see through the garbage and get to the rock bottom of what's going on. He's also a very decent person; he wants to do what's right for people. Well, not entirely. The playful part of him often wants to do what's wrong, at least when it comes to having fun—he's no goody-goody—but basically he's there for people. He's very decent and very compassionate.

"What's really unusual about him, though, is that he has this incredible calm which lets him see through stuff. He listens very carefully, lets people play themselves out, and then he's able to put the pieces together. He's a good judge, he really is. I pay close attention to what he says."

Basically, he doesn't say much, doesn't ramble or expound a great deal, but does express himself quite clearly. This is, perhaps, a writer's gift (specifically, a great songwriter's gift), a technique particularly appropriate in one who earns his living packing volumes of meaning into limited lines. It might also be the mark of a man who, when all is said and done, is simply shy.

Willie's comments on Farm Aid are therefore brief. His reply to the question "What's happening with Farm Aid, Willie?" is typical.

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