For the first time in its history, the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame will stream live worldwide, inviting music fans everywhere to experience one of the series’ most cherished traditions in real time. The historic livestream will celebrate 11-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile as the newest inductee into the 12th Annual Austin City Limits Hall of Fame on Wednesday, July 1, with music legend Bonnie Raitt presenting the induction honors and performing in tribute, and Carlile performing a full-set for the occasion.
Broadcast live from ACL Live at The Moody Theater in Austin, Texas, the one-night-only celebration marks a new chapter for the Hall of Fame, opening its doors to a global audience for the very first time. Since its 10th anniversary in 2024, the ACL Hall of Fame has celebrated one iconic artist each year with an expanded evening of music and storytelling. This year, fans around the world are invited inside to witness the emotion, music, and once-in-a-lifetime collaborations that have made the ACL Hall of Fame one of the series’ signature events.
Fans can tune in live and free on YouTube.com/AustinCityLimitsTV on July 1 beginning at 9 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. CT. The livestream will feature the complete induction ceremony and performances as they happen and will be available only during the live broadcast. 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 made three unforgettable appearances across her two-decade career. She debuted in 2010 (Season 36), returned in 2018 for a Season 44 hour built around her landmark album By the Way, I Forgive You, and headlined the Season 48 premiere in 2022 with songs from In These Silent Days. A familiar presence at the ACL Hall of Fame, Carlile presented induction honors to Sheryl Crow in 2022. She now returns to the ACL stage with music from Returning to Myself, her first solo album in four years, alongside 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 for his own induction. It has also seen Willie Nelson share the stage with Buddy Guy in tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan, and reunited the Flatlanders 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.
Now, for the first time, that tradition extends beyond the walls of ACL, inviting music fans around the world to witness the next unforgettable chapter in Hall of Fame history.