Austin City Limits is proud to announce the newest inductee into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame: 11-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, producer and performer Brandi Carlile. The 12th Annual ACL Hall of Fame will honor Carlile with a celebratory induction and full-set taping on July 1, 2026.
Since its 10th Anniversary in 2024, the Hall of Fame has shifted to spotlight a singular artist each year with an in-depth tribute. Carlile now joins the ranks of the legendary artists who have shaped ACL’s enduring legacy. Tickets to the event will be distributed via a public giveaway; more information will be announced in advance. Fans are encouraged to follow @acltv on Instagram, Facebook and X for updates.
This special evening will feature music legend Bonnie Raitt, who will induct Carlile and perform in tribute. The Hall of Fame will take place at ACL’s studio home, ACL Live at The Moody Theater in Austin, Texas. Performance and induction highlights from this evening will air as an hourlong broadcast during Season 52 of Austin City Limits, premiering this September on PBS, and will be available to stream online and via the PBS App.
“Being inducted into the ACL Hall of Fame by one of my absolute heroes — Bonnie Raitt — means everything to me,” shared Brandi Carlile. “I’m so grateful to have had such a deep and powerful connection to the city of Austin and Austin City Limits all these years — and I cannot wait to hit the Moody stage in July to celebrate this immense honor.”
“I’m thrilled to induct my friend Brandi into the ACL Hall of Fame,” says Bonnie Raitt. “She is truly one of our most respected and impactful artists. I admire her not only for her incredible music, but for standing up for the causes and artists she’s passionate about, all while balancing her wonderful family life. I can’t wait to get to perform together for this show that has meant so much to us both.”
A trailblazing artist with deep roots at ACL, Brandi Carlile has delivered three standout appearances during her two-decade career. She made her debut in 2010 (Season 36), returned in 2018 for a Season 44 hour anchored by her landmark sixth studio album By the Way, I Forgive You, and headlined the Season 48 premiere in 2022 with highlights from her acclaimed seventh album In These Silent Days.
A frequent presence at the ACL Hall of Fame, Carlile notably handed induction honors for Sheryl Crow in 2022. She now returns to the ACL stage with new gems from Returning to Myself, her first solo album in four years, alongside a selection of career-spanning favorites.
Thirteen-time Grammy Award winner Bonnie Raitt made her ACL debut in 1984 during the first decade of the series in Season 9 and has appeared multiple times across the show’s five decade run. Inducted into the ACL Hall of Fame in 2016, Raitt returned in 2023 on the eve of the series’ 50th Anniversary milestone with a commanding Season 49 performance, showcasing highlights from across her storied career.
“When Brandi Carlile first stepped onto the ACL stage more than 15 years ago, it was immediately clear she possessed a rare and singular talent,” says ACL Executive Producer Terry Lickona. “The moment you hear her voice, you know exactly who it is. She will always have a home here at ACL, and now she takes her well-deserved place in the ACL Hall of Fame. Having Bonnie Raitt there to welcome her into the fold makes the occasion all the more special.”
Established in 2014, the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame honors artists who have played a defining role in the series’ half-century legacy, celebrating them with unforgettable, one-night-only tributes, carving their name into ACL history. Each induction pairs iconic performances with heartfelt salutes from peers and admirers—memorable moments have included Matthew McConaughey inducting Willie Nelson with Texas reverence and wit, Sean Penn honoring Lyle Lovett in a hilarious and deeply personal tribute, and Ethan Hawke saluting John Prine with poetic grace. Filmmaker Cameron Crowe welcomed My Morning Jacket into the fold, while Jason Isbell paid moving tribute to Lucinda Williams, and Eagles’ Don Henley honored Trisha Yearwood. Guitar great Jimmie Vaughan inducted Buddy Guy, Mavis Staples honored Bonnie Raitt and Chris Isaak saluted Roy Orbison. The Hall of Fame stage has also hosted once-in-a-lifetime performances, including Garth Brooks marathon, two hour masterclass set for his own induction; it has seen Willie Nelson take the stage with Buddy Guy in tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan, and presented the Flatlanders as they reunited to celebrate Joe Ely. From all-star collaborations to singular moments of connection, the Hall of Fame has become a cornerstone of ACL’s story, capturing the freewheeling spirit, community, and musical excellence that define the series.
About Brandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile is an 11-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, producer and performer as well as an Oscar-nominated songwriter and two-time Emmy-winning composer, and was named one of Time magazine’s 2026 Women of the Year. Widely regarded as one of music’s most powerful and respected voices, she has released eight solo studio albums, including her 2025 release Returning To Myself, produced with Andrew Watt, Aaron Dessner and Justin Vernon, which debuted in the Top Ten on the all-genre Billboard 200. Her 2026 Grammy-nominated collaboration with Elton John, Who Believes in Angels?, debuted at No. 1 in the U.K. and Top 10 in the U.S. A sought-after collaborator and producer, Carlile has contributed to Grammy-winning projects for Joni Mitchell, Brandy Clark and Tanya Tucker, and collaborated with artists including The Highwomen, Lucius, Alicia Keys, Hozier, Sam Smith, Noah Kahan, Jacob Collier, Pink and Dolly Parton. A No. 1 New York Times bestselling author and founder of the Looking Out Foundation, she has raised more than $9 million for grassroots causes. Her global “The Human Tour” continues with dates across the U.S. and U.K./EU from August through October. She has headlined Austin City Limits three times, with standout appearances in 2010, 2018 and 2022.
About Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie Raitt is a 13-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose singular blend of blues, R&B, rock and pop has defined a remarkable five-decade career. After establishing herself as a revered artist’s artist, she achieved global acclaim with her landmark albums Nick of Time and Luck of the Draw, featuring enduring classics including “Something to Talk About” and “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” A 2020 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and 2024 Kennedy Center honoree, the slide guitar ace has been recognized by Rolling Stone as one of the greatest guitarists and singers of all time. She remains a vital creative force— her 2022 album Just Like That… topped multiple Billboard charts, and earned countless accolades and three 2023 Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year. Raitt is as known for her lifelong commitment to social activism as she is for her music. She continues to tour extensively worldwide and raises funds for a variety of non-profit organizations at nearly every concert. A cherished member of the ACL Hall of Fame, Raitt has graced the ACL stage across multiple decades, delivering performances that embody the spirit and soul of the series.
Austin City Limits and the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame are produced by Austin PBS.
Austin City Limits:
A monument to music, Austin City Limits has showcased iconic performances from legends and innovators in every genre of popular song for a remarkable five decades. The series is the flagship of the popular Austin City Limits Music Festival and has earned countless accolades for its quality presentation of live music performances, including a Peabody Award, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame designation and it remains the only TV series awarded the National Medal of Arts. Austin City Limits writes the next chapter in its remarkable 50+ year broadcast run with the upcoming Season 52
.