Page 21 - ION Indie Magazine November December 2019 Issue

Story and Photography by Eddy Schneider III
https://www.facebook.com/AbsolutEddy/

Farm Aid 2019 brought it to Alpine Valley in East Troy Wisconsin. I totally can’t even express
the excitement of this event -- just to be able to cover Farm Aid for ION Indie Magazine is an
honor in and of itself. But to get to do so in the venue that I literally grew up in since my High
School days was even more of a hoot for me. I spent countless summer evenings tailgating
and rocking to such iconic bands as Black Sabbath, Van Halen, and Aerosmith, back in their
prime. The actual “Who’s Who” list would just about fill this page.

Prior to the venue opening its gates, artists like Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young,
Dave Mathews, and Tanya Tucker sat in with local farmers and held a press conference that
was well attended by media outlets, including ION Indie Magazine. It was most enlightening
as it delved into what Farm Aid represents and how agriculture relates to the local farmers
with corn, grain, and milk. I left with a new understanding of the scope of the issues
surrounding the farming communities and the need to call attention to the struggles that farm
families endure. But it was time for music – and although September 21st was an overcast
and rainy day, this proved as no deterrent. When Alpine Valley opened its gates, it quickly
packed in a whopping 36,000 attendees, all ready to experience Farm Aid. But photographing
concerts is a far cry from just attending one and I had to get to work.

The whole evening had a great flow and staffing was professional and organized. With the
level of talent that Farm Aid boasted…the performances were beyond fantastic! As the
evening grew older, it was a whole different jungle in the grass seats as the beer flowed and
as always, the onset relative calm ambiance was short-lived, which is to be expected when
you are packed shoulder to shoulder with 36,000 other people.

In spite of the close proximity of the massive crowd and the challenges that the inclement
weather presented, it was a must-see occasion and well worth carving out a space in the rain-
soaked grass. During the Bonnie Raitt performance and as I wasn’t approved to shoot her, I
went out into the masses. As far as the eye could see it was a sea of smiles -- as the concert-
goers, nonplussed by the rain, sang along and spontaneously swayed and danced to the
scintillating sounds of Raitt.

With that said, come along on the journey and join me at Farm Aid and immerse yourself in
the star-packed images, looking through my lens.