The Farm Aid benefit concert in September of 1985 was one member of a long list of such philanthropic events. It proved itself unique, however, in a number of ways. Most notably, the concert failed to reach the goals which its organizers had set, unlike most of the other benefits of the same decade. This study attempted to explain the failure of the event.Chapter One is an introduction which helps to justify the study, review existing literature on the subject, and preview the method used within the analysis. Chapter Two includes a general history of benefit concerts, helping to explain the evolution of such persuasive events.Concerts such as the early work of Harry Chapin, the Concert for Bangladesh, Concerts for Kampuchea, and others are discussed. The contemporary trend of successful benefits including the Band Aid, USA for Africa, and Live Aid efforts are also considered, helping to establish the context in which Farm Aid occurred.Next, an explanation of the situation facing American farmers in 1985 is provided, establishing the need for the concert.Chapter Three is an evaluation of the fantasy themes presented to the American public by the media. By chronologically examing the changes in the characters, plots, and settings set forth by the media, certain general themes can be identified.These themes glorified the effort and its participants, conjuring high expectations in the minds of many Americans.Those expectations could not be met, however, guaranteeing failure for the event.Chapter Four draws conclusions about the weaknesses of Farm Aid. By examining the timing of the concert, its focus, and the persuasive appeals used by its participants, the study reveals that Farm Aid's failure was the result of a combination of different factors. First, the organizers had left themselves very little time to plan the event.Also, many Americans were suffering from boredom with the notion of the benefit concert after the highly successful events which preceded Farm Aid. The ideas expressed within the concert were not focused in a unified manner. Different participants presented differing appeals for action, making the public's role in the event unclear.Finally, the appeals which were presented were not well planned, preventing them from adequately moving the public. In general, the media had created a picture in the minds of the public that could not be fulfilled, especially not with the weak attempts of the concert's participants.