Willie Nelson, Farm Aid and songs against terror

Willie Nelson on Saturday

(CNN) -- As Americans continued pondering the state of their nation Saturday in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, people and performers in Noblesville, Indiana, considered the plight of the American farmer at the annual Farm Aid Concert. CNN Anchor Donna Kelley spoke with Willie Nelson, one of the event's co-founders.

DONNA KELLEY: And joining us now is one of the co-founders of the event, singer/songwriter Willie Nelson. Hi, Willie.

WILLIE NELSON: Hi, Donna, how are you doing?

KELLEY: Real good, hope you are the same. I know the concert is going on right now. How has the response been this year?

NELSON: It is incredible. We have got a great crowd, everybody is pumped up, and the music is good. And everyone is having a good time.

KELLEY: Good. What songs are you performing today?

NELSON: I will do probably over an hour, so I will be doing 20 or 30 songs.

KELLEY: What is kind of close to your heart? What do you think will strike a chord with folks in the concert this year?

NELSON: Well, there are certain songs that people (like) -- specifically right now, you know. We just did "This Land Is Your Land," and, you know, you can't go wrong doing patriotic songs at this point in time. And religious songs are always well received. So, you know, it's going to be a good day, I think, for music, because of the whole lot of talent here. And not matter what kind of songs they are singing -- from the Doobie Brothers (who) are here, and Martina McBride just got through -- Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Arlo Guthrie was here. It is going to be a nice day for music.

KELLEY: You bet. ... And you even have a refocus -- stronger nation -- and some of the money is going to go to the World Trade Center farmers' markets. And your theme was "Concert for America." What's the talk at the concert, Willie? How do people want to help?

NELSON: Well, everyone wants to help in any way they can, and the good thing is everyone can help. You can either pick up the phone and call, or a lot of the musicians and talent have come here and lent their support. A lot of people out there bought tickets. So there is a lot of ways that you can help.

And if you do help the farmer, you are helping everybody. Farm Aid will be ... using some of the money to help restore some of the farmers' markets in the New York area that we lost, but also other than that there is just a whole lot of good things that can be done.

KELLEY: Anybody talking about what they think the U.S. response should be?

NELSON: Well, I have a personal opinion about that, but it's just mine. I have never been one to master the art of turning the other cheek. But I do think it's important before you start swinging wildly to know for sure who hit you.

KELLEY: You know, a lot of people I think would be interested in words or songs that you might have. They might not know that you had a pretty tough childhood: Your father passed away when you were little, and your mom left, and you were raised by your grandparents. ... What can you tell people who are suffering at this point, maybe some words of encouragement or even a song that's a favorite of yours for them?

NELSON: Well, I grew up singing a song called "Amazing Grace." And I still sing it particularly every night. I invite the audience to sing with me, or I invite the audience to sing it by themselves. The melody and the lyrics of that song seem to have a great healing quality. There is a lot of music that does that. But when you sing "Amazing Grace," it's a home run every time.

KELLEY: Well, bless your efforts. Willie Nelson, we are so glad to get to talk to you, and good luck with this effort and we will talk to you again soon.

NELSON: Thanks.