Three iconic American singers, Michael McDonald (Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan), Willie Nelson and David Hidalgo (Los Lobos) have teamed up to perform the song “Dreams of the San Joaquin.” Proceeds from sales of the track, which is available for purchase via Bandcamp, are being donated to RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services), and the United Farm Workers of America. The trio recently premiered a new video for the song, directed by Micah Nelson.
“Dreams of the San Joaquin”, written by Randy Sharp and Jack Wesley Routh was made famous by both Kenny Rogers and Linda Ronstadt. It tells the story of a worker in the fields of San Joaquin Valley in California during the Dust Bowl (severe dust storms during a severe drought in the Southern Plains region of the United States) in the 1930s.
“The migrant farm worker is as responsible if not more for maintaining our country’s position as one of the largest agricultural economies in the world,” McDonald explains. “The labor that falls squarely on their shoulders allows farmers to bring produce to our stores and food to our tables as reasonably priced as possible. COVID has ravaged this quadrant of the American workforce disproportionately.”
He continues, “RAICES and United Farm Workers Union are working hard to bring vaccine awareness and financial help to provide distribution to this demographic so hard hit by COVID-19.”
Willie Nelson adds, “This was a collaboration of love and a prayer for understanding. It sends a message of hope that we all need to hear. I’ve always loved Mike’s voice and enjoyed making this with him and my son Micah.”
“This collaboration of love shows that even our oldest friends are still bringing new understanding to our cause,” says Teresa Romero, president of the United Farm Workers. “After a particularly brutal year for farm workers, their support is priceless.”
Ana Maria Rea-Ventre, Vice President of Advocacy at RAICES, says, “This heartfelt rendition of ‘Dreams of the San Joaquin’ is a beautiful reminder of all that the migrant community of over eight million people sacrifices to give their families a better life. May we all be moved by this song to fight with our migrant brothers and sisters, to whom our country owes so much.”
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
What a beautiful song performed by two of our greatest musicians.
God bless our planet.