Austin City Limits presents a spectacular hour of country music, Texas-style, featuring rising star Parker McCollum and legendary singer-songwriter Robert Earl Keen. McCollum makes his ACL debut with songs from 2021’s Gold Chain Cowboy; and, in a special appearance, ACL veteran and Americana great Robert Earl Keen, who recently retired from touring, returns for a triumphant final bow showcasing beloved classics from his four-decade career. The new Season 48 installment premieres October 29 at 8pm CT/9pm ET. The program, recorded live at ACL’s studio home in Austin, Texas, continues its extraordinary run as the longest-running music television show in history, providing viewers a front-row seat to the best in live performance for 48 years as the music institution nears a remarkable half-century milestone. ACL airs weekly on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings) and full episodes are made available to stream online at pbs.org/austincitylimits immediately following the initial broadcast.
Breakout country artist Parker McCollum is having a big year: he scored a best-selling album with his major label debut, Gold Chain Cowboy, won New Male Artist of the Year at the ACM Awards and received a coveted nomination for New Artist of the Year at this year’s upcoming CMA Awards. Raised in the East Texas town of Conroe, the charismatic performer wears his Lone Star roots proudly on his sleeve, and performs Gold Chain Cowboy highlights, including the album’s double-platinum single “Pretty Heart,” and the fan-favorite “To Be Loved By You.” With a smile as wide as Texas, McCollum thrills the crowd with a pair of new songs, “Handle on You,” and “Stoned,” then closes with the heartfelt power ballad “I Can’t Breathe.”
A true Texas original, Robert Earl Keen first appeared on the ACL stage in 1989 as part of a Texas showcase. One of the Lone Star state’s most beloved songwriters and performers, the Houston native returns for his seventh appearance, accompanied by his longtime band and joined, for this occasion, by a special guest, pedal steel guitarist Lloyd Maines. A road warrior who has easily played over 180 dates in any given year, appearing at roadhouses, dance halls, theaters and fairgrounds, Keen caps his remarkable musical journey with this ACL swan song as he retires from live performance. He delivers gems from across his legendary career in an emotional set, opening with early highlights “Feelin’ Good Again” and “Gringo Honeymoon.” For the bittersweet send-off, Keen begins with his “I’m Comin’ Home,” which evolves into a full audience singalong; he then notes “You can take this one with ya,” before wrapping up with “I Gotta Go,” after which he sets down his guitar, tips his hat and waves goodbye to the emotional crowd.
“A Texas Country music legend meets the new face (and voice) of Texas Country music today,” said ACL executive producer Terry Lickona. “Both Robert Earl Keen and Parker McCollum are part of a long tradition of singer-songwriters, with their own take on what makes Texas Country different.”
Parker McCollum setlist:
TO BE LOVED BY YOU
HANDLE ON YOU
STONED
HELL OF A YEAR
PRETTY HEART
I CAN’T BREATHE
Robert Earl Keen setlist;
FEELIN’ GOOD AGAIN
GRINGO HONEYMOON
SHADES OF GRAY
I’M COMIN’ HOME
I GOTTA GO
Season 48 Broadcast Line-up (first half of season)
October 1 Brandi Carlile
October 8 Japanese Breakfast/Arlo Parks
October 15 Sylvan Esso/Lucius
October 22 Allison Russell/The Weather Station
October 29 Parker McCollum/Robert Earl Keen
November 5 Lyle Lovett and His Large Band
November 12 Cimafunk and The Tribe
Watch live, stream anytime, The complete line-up for the full 14-week season, including seven new episodes to air beginning January 2023, will be announced at a later date. Viewers can visit acltv.com for news regarding live streams, future tapings and episode schedules or by following ACL on Facebook, Twitter and IG. Fans can also browse the ACL YouTube channel for exclusive songs, behind-the-scenes videos and full-length artist interviews.
Austin City Limits
Austin City Limits (ACL) offers viewers unparalleled access to featured acts in an intimate setting that provides a platform for artists to deliver inspired, memorable, full-length performances. Now in its 48th Season, the program is taped live before a concert audience from The Moody Theater in downtown Austin. Austin City Limits is the longest-running music series in television history and remains the only TV series to ever be awarded the National Medal of Arts. Since its inception, the groundbreaking music series has become an institution that’s helped secure Austin’s reputation as the Live Music Capital of the World. The historic Austin PBS Studio 6A, home to 36 years of ACL concerts, has been designated an official Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Landmark. In 2011, ACL moved to the new venue ACL Live at The Moody Theater in downtown Austin. ACL received a rare institutional Peabody Award for excellence and outstanding achievement in 2012.
Austin City Limits is produced by Austin PBS and funding is provided in part by Dell Technologies, Workrise, the Austin Convention Center Department, Cirrus Logic and AXS Ticketing. Additional funding is provided by the Friends of Austin City Limits. Learn more about Austin City Limits, programming and history at acltv.com.