Watch the Micah Nelson-Directed Video for Willie Nelson & Michael McDonald ft. David Hidalgo’s Benefit Single, “Dreams of the San Joaquin”

In early May, Willie Nelson, Michael McDonald and Los Lobos’ David Hidalgo teamed up for a new recording of “Dreams of the San Joaquin.”

The three icons joined forces to create a new rendition of the classic original song penned by Randy Sharp and Jack Wesley Routh and made famous by both Kenny Rogers and Linda Ronstadt as a benefit single for benefit RAICES, the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services, and the United Farm Workers of America.

#NEW – Singers Michael McDonald, Willie Nelson, along with David Hidalgo come together for this video premiere of their rendition of “Dreams of the San Joaquin”

The song tells the story of a worker in the fields of San Joaquin Valley during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression pic.twitter.com/4KbX4FQGc4

— CBS Sunday Morning 🌞 (@CBSSunday) May 20, 2021

Today, May 20, an official music video for the track was debuted on CBS This Morning. Featuring intimate performance footage of Nelson and McDonald, the affecting clip was directed by Micah Nelson, son of Willie:

The song can still be purchased via Bandcamp, with proceeds benefiting RAICES, the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services, and the United Farm Workers of America.

“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,” said McDonald in a statement. “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.”

Additional quotes provided in a news release:

“This collaboration of love shows that even our oldest friends are still bringing new understanding to our cause,” notes 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.”