Farm Aid 2009 to Broadcast Live in HD and Commercial Free Exclusively on DIRECTV's The 101 Network
October 4th Event to Feature Performances by Willie Nelson, Neil Young, Dave Matthews with Tim Reynolds, John Mellencamp, Jason Mraz, Wilco and more
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NEW YORK, N.Y., Aug 31, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- DIRECTV, the nation's No.1 satellite television provider, announced today that, for the second year in a row, it will exclusively broadcast Farm Aid's October 4th annual benefit concert live and in HD on The 101 Network beginning at 5:00 pm ET. Additionally, DIRECTV has pledged to match all DIRECTV customer donations up to $50,000 made between September 1st and October 31st, 2009 to support Farm Aid's mission to keep family farmers on the land, growing healthy food for all.
Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews headline the event at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Maryland Heights, Mo., along with recently-announced acts including Jason Mraz, Wilco, Jamey Johnson and Phosphorescent, plus other acts to be announced.
The concert event will celebrate music, family farmers and good food, and will again feature HOMEGROWN concessions: family-farm identified, local and organic foods. Farm Aid is a nonprofit organization that has raised nearly $36 million to promote a strong and resilient family farm system of agriculture.
"We are thrilled to bring the live Farm Aid experience into homes across the country, giving millions of people a chance to enjoy this unique mix of incredible music with inspiring stories of innovative family farmers," said Carolyn Mugar, Farm Aid's executive director. "The generosity of all of the musicians who donate their performances on behalf of family farmers is an inspiration to the many viewers at home who also want to show their support. Farm Aid is grateful that DIRECTV will match its subscribers' gifts up to $50,000."
"We are delighted to be a part of Farm Aid 2009 and once again offer our viewers front row seats to this year's benefit concert," said Patty Ishimoto, vice president of DIRECTV Entertainment and general manager of The 101 Network. "Farm Aid 2009 is an important part of our music repertoire on The 101 Network, as we bring viewers exclusive concert events that can't be seen anywhere else, compliments of DIRECTV."
The six hour broadcast will be filmed entirely in High Definition and air in 5.1 surround sound. Like last year, DIRECTV will create four original one-hour specials featuring performances from Farm Aid 2009 which will air on The 101 Network as part of the DIRECTV Concert Series.
Albert Spevak is executive producer of the Ambassador Entertainment production. Lawrence Jordan is directing, Conor McAnally, Bart Peters, Sarah Brock and Allen Kelman are producers.
About Farm Aid
Farm Aid's mission is to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews host an annual concert to raise funds to support Farm Aid's work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family-farmed food. Since 1985, Farm Aid, with the support of the artists who contribute their performances each year, has raised nearly $36 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, create and strengthen connections between farmers and eaters, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms.
About DIRECTV's The 101(R) Network
The 101 Network, DIRECTV's exclusive entertainment channel, is a unique television experience that is available to more than 18 million DIRECTV subscribers. In 2008, the network changed the television landscape with the unprecedented third season premiere of the Emmy Award-winning series Friday Night Lights and has since become the premiere destination for diverse, quality and critically acclaimed programming. Through its partnerships with leading television and film studios, networks and top cable channels, The 101 Network offers viewers the finest in drama and comedy, with daring, innovative series, exclusive "sneak peek" programming and premium cable series un-cut in their original form. The 101 Network showcases concert specials from superstar artists and celebrated music festivals such as SXSW Live and Farm Aid, sporting events such as UFC Fighter exposés and the annual DIRECTV Celebrity Beach Bowl; as well as feature films and TV movie specials.
