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Willie Nelson has criticised the development of data centres and encouraged communities to unite and “fight” the construction of the large server facilities.
The country music legend has supported environmental causes for decades and helped establish Farm Aid. For more than 40 years, the organisation has assisted local farmers while challenging the expansion of industrial farming operations that threaten family operated land.
On Tuesday, July 28, Nelson posted an open letter on social media condemning environmentally harmful data centres throughout the United States. He also drew attention to the serious effects these facilities can have on nature and nearby businesses.
“I grew up in Abbott, and I still have a home there with farmed land where I can still see stars at night,” his post began. “And now our community, like many others, needs to fight against data centres invading our land.”
Nelson described the facilities as “loud”, “water-thieving” and “light polluting”. He added that “the last thing we need” is to have them located “anywhere near our town (or any others for that matter)”.
“The strength of rural America has never come from big industrial footprints. It comes from generations of people, open spaces, local businesses, and a connection to the land,” he wrote, adding that the nation deserves “thoughtful stewardship that doesn’t steal farmland” and small family farms, “not data centers that only destroy the environment around them.”
Bringing his message to a close, Nelson wrote: “Whoever controls food and water, controls the masses. Let’s not allow our own demise or give up control over necessary resources in the US, and especially in Abbott”.
Concerns surrounding data centres are increasing across the United States because of the enormous quantities of water they consume, along with the land and electricity required to power AI services. Several areas around the country have already blocked or delayed new data centre projects in response to these issues.
According to Variety, Nelson has generated more than $70million (£52.6million) through Farm Aid to assist rural agricultural communities. He has also helped collect millions for military veterans, disaster survivors, and people experiencing hunger or homelessness.
Nelson released his latest project, ‘Dream Chaser’, in May, marking the 79th solo album of his career.
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Aerosmith played their first live shows in three years, with Dave Grohl on the drums and special appearances from Johnny Depp, Guns N’ Roses, Liv Tyler and more.
The two shows were billed as ‘California, Dream On: Aerosmith & Friends’ and took place at the Hollywood Bowl in California on October 29 and November 1. They were the rock giants’ first live shows in three years, following Aerosmith abruptly bringing their touring days to an end when frontman Steven Tyler injured his larynx.
Before they took to the stage to close out the first night, there were performances from Eric Church, Heart, Billy Idol, Sammy Hagar, and Godsmack’s Sully Erna, and backing musicians included Nuno Bettencourt.
The Black Crowes also performed a brief set – breaking out covers of four Aerosmith songs – as did Guns N’ Roses, who were direct support for Tyler and co and performed covers of ‘Nobody’s Fault’, ‘Last Child’, and ‘Seasons of Wither’.
Aerosmith were then introduced to the stage by the frontman’s daughter Liv Tyler and fellow actor Alicia Silverstone, who both featured in the band’s ‘Crazy’ music video back in 1994. They played a six-song set featuring their biggest hits ‘Toys in the Attic’, ‘Back in the Saddle’, ‘Sweet Emotion’, ‘The Train Kept A-Rollin’, and ‘Dream On’, and were joined by Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl on drums for the majority of the set.
Johnny Depp came out as a surprise guest and played guitar on ‘The Train Kept A-Rollin’, and original drummer Joey Kramer came out for the final song, joining his bandmates as they closed the night out with ‘Walk This Way’.
On night two, Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello and Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale came together to cover two Aerosmith tracks, ‘Kings And Queens’ and ‘Round And Round’, while Alice In Chains’ Jerry Cantrell and Mike Inez joined up with Richie Kotzen for covers of ‘Draw The Line’ and ‘Nobody’s Fault’.
Other performers opening for Aerosmith included Billy Idol again, Train’s Pat Monahan, Grace Potter and Heart’s Ann and Nancy Wilson. The Black Crowes and Guns N’ Roses returned to play brief sets, and Aerosmith played a similar set to the show prior, but also broke out a cover of The Beatles’ ‘Come Together’.
Johnny Depp and Dave Grohl didn’t take part in that show, and the drummer for that show was their recent touring drummer, John Douglas.
MC for both nights was comedian and actor Bill Burr, who told the audience at the first gig that they would be the band’s “final two shows in Aerosmith’s history”.
At the second night, however, Tyler seemed to refute the comments and said: “So Bill Burr said these are our final shows, huh? Doesn’t he know that you can’t get rid of Aerosmith? In fact, at the end of the fucking world, there will only be cockroaches, Aerosmith, and, I guess, Bill Burr.”
Check out more footage from the two shows below.
While Aerosmith have rarely played live since bringing their touring days to an end, Tyler has made a few live appearances in the time since – including a brief performance at the final Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath show ‘Back To The Beginning’ in 2025.
He also joined forces with Yungblud for the collaborative EP ‘One More Time’, made an on-stage appearance with him and Joe Perry at the 2025 MTV VMAs as part of a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, and also dropped both a country remix of the EP with Lainey Wilson, as well as a ‘Desert Road Version’ with actor Steve Martin.
As for Grohl, the Foo Fighters star recently appeared alongside Jack Black, Foo Fighters, Bruce Springsteen and more at Tom Morello’s inaugural his Power To The People festival, played a rare opening slot for AC/DC – also joining them on stage for their headline set – and also opened up about how he first met late drummer Taylor Hawkins.
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