Michael McDonald, Willie Nelson, and David Hidalgo (Los Lobos) have teamed up for a cover of “Dreams Of The San Joaquin”. Released for Bandcamp Friday, the single is a fundraiser for RAICES (the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services) and the United Farm Workers of America.
Originally written by Randy Sharp and Jack Wesley Routh, the song has gone on to be recorded by such luminaries as Kenny Rogers, Linda Ronstadt, and more. This latest version combines the unique vocal presences of McDonald and Nelson with the instrumentation from Hidalgo for a new musical experiment. The mood of the song is dour as the vocalists trace the plight of field workers in the San Joaquin Valley during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression of the 1930s and 1940s.
“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 said in a press release. “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. 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.”
“This was a collaboration of love and a prayer for understanding,” Nelson added. “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.”
Stream the single below and consider purchasing it on Bandcamp Friday for 100% of the proceeds to go to RAICES and United Farm Workers of America. The single will be available across streaming platforms on May 14th.
Michael McDonald, Willie Nelson, David Hidalgo – “Dreams Of The San Joaquin”