Year: 2012

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ACL @ the Alamo News

ACL @ the Alamo: Stevie Ray Vaughan

ACL @ the Alamo returns on August 27 with a special evening featuring Stevie Ray Vaughan. First up is Stevie Ray Vaughan: A Retrospective, our season 20 episode that combines the Texas guitar slinger’s 1984 and 1990 appearances with his band Double Trouble. All your favorites are here: “Love Struck Baby,” “Texas Flood,” “Pride and Joy,” “Cold Shot,” “Crossfire” and an absolutely incandescent version of “Riviera Paradise.” While these performances have been released on DVD before, they’ve never been seen before on a big screen, and we’re excited to make that happen.

Following the Retrospective will be A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan, a PBS pledge special filmed in the ACL studio that presents Stevie’s music as performed by his friends and fans, including B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Dr. John and, of course, Stevie’s brother Jimmie, who also leads the band. Far from a somber occasion, this show is a true celebration of Stevie’s musical legacy, with joyful performances. As with the Retrospective, this has been available on DVD but never shown in a theater.

As always, this screening benefits the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, a most worthy organization. You can find the skinny on tickets here. If you’re in Austin, please join us!

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Encore Broadcast News

Encore: M. Ward & Okkervil River

Indie rock soaks in every style and sound imaginable, but the best of it always comes back to the other “s” word: songs. We have to two of the best song-based indie rock artists on Austin City Limits this weekend – M. Ward and Okkervil River.

After appearing as a guest with Norah Jones, Spoon and Bright Eyes, M. Ward finally graced the ACL stage under his own name. Supporting his LP Hold Time, the singer/songwriter and his band essayed his distinctive folk/pop vision brilliantly. Besides singing strong tunes like “To Go Home” (written by Austin’s own Daniel Johnston), “Poison Cup” and “Never Had Nobody Like You,” Ward also shows off his six-string skills with the John Faheyesque instrumental “Duet for Guitars #2/Duet for Guitars #3.”

photo by Scott Newton

Appearing in the second half is Austin’s own Okkervil River. Led by singer/songwriter Will Sheff, Okkervil’s unique brand of orchestral indie rock presents multiple instruments and singers, but avoids clutter because it always serves the song at hand. Supporting the band’s companion piece LPs The Stage Names and The Stand-Ins, the band joyfully surveys its career with “Lost Coastlines,” “For Real” and “Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe.”

Go here for more information on this episode, and tune in to your local PBS station this weekend to see these acts in action. Check out our Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr pages for more on all things ACL. Next week: More indie rock goodness with The Head and the Heart and Gomez.

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News

Ticket Giveaway: Tim McGraw 8/6

Austin City Limits will be taping a performance by Tim McGraw on Monday, August 6th, at 8 pm at ACL Live at The Moody Theater (310 W. 2nd Street, Willie Nelson Blvd).  We will be giving away a limited number of space available passes to this taping. Enter your name and email address on the below form by 9 am Thursday,  August 2. Passes are not transferable and cannot be sold. Standing may be required.

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Encore Broadcast News

Encore: Willie Nelson & Asleep at the Wheel

It goes like this: Willie Nelson starred in the pilot for Austin City Limits in 1975 and has appeared many times since. Asleep at the Wheel kicked the first episode proper in 1976 and is also a multiple headliner. Amazingly, they’ve rarely collaborated, despite being buddies for 40 years. So when these great Texas artists came together to record 2009’s fantastic Western swing tribute Willie and the Wheel, we had to have this explosion of musical chemistry on the show – especially since it coincided with our 35th anniversary.

Featuring great old tunes like “Right Or Wrong, ‘“Hesitation Blues” and “Fan It,” as well as a handful of Willie classics, the resulting episode has since become one of our all-time favorites. It’s a special show to our beloved audience as well, and we’re happy to present this encore episode. Tune in to your local PBS station this weekend, and you might want to push the furniture against the wall in case you’ve the urge to dance.

Go here for more details on this episode, and check in with our Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr pages for more ACL info and ephemera. Next week: M Ward and Okkervil River.

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Featured News

Watch the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame interview with Terry Lickona

When we announced the collaboration between Austin City Limits and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s Library & Archives last month, the cameras didn’t quit rolling once the press conference was concluded. Immediately afterward our own Terry Lickona was the subject of a Rock Hall Legend interview, conducted by Dr. Lauren Onkey and featuring Terry’s take on some of the significant tapings of the last 38 years. Check it out.

The history of Austin City Limits from Austin City Limits on Vimeo.

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Encore Broadcast News

Encore: Kenny Chesney

From honkytonks to sold-out arena shows, Kenny Chesney has been an ambassador for modern country music for nearly 20 years. The superstar visited Austin City Limits in Season 35 in celebration of Greatest Hits Vol. 2, which summed up his career to date. The hits just keep comin’ in this episode: “Living in Fast Forward,” “Summertime,” “Me and You,” “Beer in Mexico,” “Never Wanted Nothing More” and the then-brand new “Out Last Night.” Chesney shares the wealth as well, bringing on songwriter Mac McNally to duet on the smash “Down the Road.” With a 14-piece band that includes Ernest “Drummie Zeb” Williams from Bob Marley’s Wailers, Chesney’s widescreen country rocks the house to a fan-packed audience. Tune in this weekend to see the crowd/performer synergy for yourself.

Go here for more details on the Kenny Chesney episode, and remember, you can always hit up the blog and our Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr pages for more on all things ACL. Next week: Willie Nelson & Asleep at the Wheel.