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Live Stream News Special event

ACL to Livestream Willie Nelson & Family and Asleep at the Wheel

Austin City Limits is thrilled to announce we will stream performances by Willie Nelson & Family and Asleep at the Wheel live from Austin City Limits’ 50th Birthday Bash on October 17, 2024.

The worldwide livestream will be available on aclturns50.com and Austin City Limits TV’s YouTube channel beginning at 7pm CT on Thursday, October 17, 2024 – the 50th anniversary to the day that Willie Nelson taped the pilot taping of Austin City Limits. After a record eighteen ACL appearances, Willie Nelson will return for an outdoor celebration on the lawn of Austin’s Long Center, performing in front of the city skyline that has inspired the show’s trademark set for decades. Also performing are longtime ACL favorites Asleep at the Wheel, who not only appeared in the very first episode of ACL’s first regular season in 1976, but were featured in ten more episodes over the next five decades. Both artists are members of the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame. The stream will only be available live, and performance highlights will air on PBS and stream on the PBS App in 2025. The live stream is presented by the Austin City Limits 50th Anniversary sponsors: Central Texas Chevy Dealers, Tito’s and Visit Austin.


ACL is proud to partner with Armadillo World Headquarters (AWHQ), which recently relaunched as a purpose-driven brand supporting Austin artists, to serve as the official Watch Party partner for the event. AWHQ will livestream the show at multiple venues across the city, including the newly opened Armadillo Forever space at the South Congress Hotel, Pershing and Deep Eddy Cabaret. As a legendary venue in Austin’s music history, Armadillo World Headquarters was instrumental in establishing the city’s reputation as a live music hub and was a home to hundreds of performers, including Willie Nelson and Austin’s own Asleep at the Wheel, who closed out the venue’s final show December 31, 1980. More details on Watch Parties and how to attend can be found here.

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Hall of Fame News

Bid on a piece of Austin City Limits History in Austin PBS’s 2023 Hall of Fame Auction

Enter the 2023 ACL Hall of Fame Auction for a Chance to Win Artist Signed Posters, Custom Guitars, and more Austin City Limits Collectibles!

As a part of the 2023 ACL Hall of Fame, honoring Trisha Yearwood and John Prine, Austin PBS and ACL have created a special online auction featuring an array of once-in-a-lifetime items and experiences. This auction marks the start of a year-long celebration of Austin City Limits’ 50th Anniversary Season in 2024.

Register to bid and view all the items featured in the auction before it opens on Wednesday, October 25 at 10 a.m. CT. 

Items include access to tapings during Season 50, a custom Collings C-10 guitar using wood from the original ACL Studio 6A stage, a Gibson Les Paul to be signed by all the Season 50 artists, signed posters from deep in the archives, autographed Soundwaves fine art honoring the honorees, private parties and screening, one-of-a-kind mementos and more. Auction closes Friday, October 27 at 10 a.m. CT. 

Proceeds from the night go directly back to the Austin PBS station to continue our work in the community, support Made In Austin productions like Austin City Limits and to celebrate Season 50 of ACL.

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News Taping Announcement

Parker McCollum’s Taping Rescheduled to September 7th

Parker McCollum performing onstage with a guitar

Statement from Parker McCollum’s management:

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, Parker will no longer be able to perform ACL on July 26th as originally scheduled. Thanks to the incredible team at ACL, we are happy to announce his appearance has been rescheduled for September 7th and we can’t wait to bring the fans one hell of a show!”

Singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Parker McCollum released his highly-anticipated major label debut album, Gold Chain Cowboy, becoming the highest-charting first week debut album of 2021. The Jon Randall-produced album follows his Hollywood Gold EP which was met with widespread critical acclaim and became the top-selling debut Country EP of 2020. McCollum earned his first-ever No. 1 hit with Gold Chain Cowboy’s double platinum-selling premiere single, “Pretty Heart,” and his follow-up single “To Be Loved By You” also hit No. 1 on the charts. McCollum has been named an ‘Artist to Watch’ by Rolling Stone, Billboard, SiriusXM, CMT, RIAA, and more, with American Songwriter noting, “The Texas native teeters on the edge of next-level superstardom.” MusicRow listed McCollum as their 2021 Breakout Artist of the Year and Apple also included him as one of their all-genre “Up Next Artists” Class of 2021. A dedicated road warrior, McCollum made his debut at the famed Grand Ole Opry in 2021 and he regularly sells out venues across the country including record-breaking crowds in Dallas (20,000), The Woodlands (16,500), Austin (7500+), Lubbock (7700+), Jackson, MS (5000+), Kearney, NE (3000+), Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, and three nights at Fort Worth’s iconic Billy Bob’s Texas. Earlier this year McCollum made his debut at RODEOHOUSTON to a sold-out crowd with over 73,000 tickets sold. McCollum earned his first ACM award for New Male Artist of the Year in March 2022 in Las Vegas.  McCollum also won his first CMT “Breakthrough Video of the Year” award, a fully fan-voted honor, in April 2022.

Want to be part of our audience? We will post information on how to get free passes as we get a week out from each date. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for notice of postings. The broadcast episodes will air in late 2022 on PBS as part of our upcoming Season 48.

Please look for safety updates regarding entry to Austin City Limits tapings. Austin PBS will continue to monitor local COVID-19 trends and will meet or exceed protocols mandated by local governments.

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Live Stream News

Live Stream Announcement: Robert Earl Keen 4/27

Photo by Melanie Maganias Nashan

Austin City Limits is delighted to announce we will live stream our upcoming taping with renowned singer/songwriter and Texas icon Robert Earl Keen on April 27 at 8 p.m. CT. The legend caps his remarkable musical journey with one last taping on our stage before his planned retirement from live performance later this year. ACL offers fans worldwide the unique opportunity to watch the taping live in its entirety on our ACLTV YouTube Channel. Join us for this very special occasion as we tip our hat to an American original. The broadcast episode will air this fall on PBS as part of our upcoming Season 48.  

Robert Earl Keen debuted on Austin City Limits in 1989 as part of a Texas Showcase and has made four headlining appearances in addition to appearing as a guest of Lyle Lovett in 2000, returning for ACL’s milestone 40th Anniversary special in 2014 and hosting the ACL Hall of Fame in 2019. One of the most beloved songwriters and performers in Texas, the Houston native has lived his signature anthem “The Road Goes On Forever” as a road warrior performing over 180 dates in any given year, playing to his legions of fans at roadhouses, dance halls, theaters, and festival grounds. The legendary entertainer made the surprise announcement in March that he’ll wrap up a remarkable four decades of touring with one last tour in 2022 as his swan song: I’m Comin’ Home: 41 Years On The Road. “I’ve been blessed with a lifetime of brilliant, talented, colorful, electrical, magical folks throughout my life,” says Keen. “This chorus of joy, this parade of passion, this bull rush of creativity, this colony of kindness and generosity are foremost in my thoughts…It’s with a mysterious concoction of joy and sadness that I want to tell you that as of September 4, 2022, I will no longer tour or perform publicly.” With a catalog of 21 albums, a band of stellar musicians, and many thousands of live shows under his belt, POLLSTAR ranked Keen in its Top 20 Global Concert Tours in 2021. Since releasing his debut album, No Kinda Dancer, in 1984, Keen has blazed a peer, critic, and fan-lauded trail that’s earned him living-legend status in the Americana music world. He’s received many accolades along the way, including 2015’s inaugural BMI Troubadour Award, celebrating songwriters who have made a lasting impact.  His songs have been recorded by George Strait, Joe Ely, Nancy Griffith, Gillian Welch, The Highwaymen and more. Keen has been inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame (alongside his longtime friend and Texas A&M classmate Lyle Lovett), the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Texas A&M University. Keen was weaned on classic rock and Willie records and steered clear of the country mainstream, always taking the road less traveled throughout his storied career. His literate songcraft, razor wit and killer band stirred up a grassroots sensation not seen since the ’70s heyday of outlaw country. While Keen will be hanging up his hat on live shows, he’ll continue to write music and create, host his popular Americana Podcast, support young artists, and follow his artistic muse wherever it takes him. We’re thrilled to welcome Robert Earl Keen back to our stage for this very special performance.Join us here on April 27 at 8 p.m. CT for this special performance by Robert Earl Keen. Join us this fall on PBS for the broadcast premiere of Austin City Limits’ upcoming Season 48. 

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Important Feature News Uncategorized

Austin City Limits 2020 Holiday Gift Guide

We are excited to share the official Austin City Limits Holiday Gift Guide! We’ve selected a handful of gifts from shop.acltv.com sure to please all the music-lovers and ACL fans on your list. Scroll down for our favorite stocking stuffers too!

For the New Austinite: ACL Black and Tan Snap Back Trucker Hat

Welcome to Austin! Barton Springs…check…South Congress…check…The Greenbelt…check… You’ve checked out the spots that make Austin, Austin. Now look the part in your new ACL Black & Tan Mesh Flat Bill Snapback Hat. You’ll be fitting in here in ATX in no time.

For the Cool Kid: Pink Toddler Tee with Dark Pink ACL Logo

Your kid will be the envy of all the preschoolers when she shows up showing off her pink ACL toddler tee. Who wants to be a princess when you can be a rock star?

For the Vintage Aficionado: Sky Blue Unisex Tee with ACL logo and vintage TV + VHS tapes

Remember the good ole days of VHS tapes and bulky TVs? We sure do – we’ve been around for 46 years! Wear this tee and bask in the nostalgia of it all.

For those you love: Austin City Limits face mask (black)

Who knew a mask would end up being THE trendy accessory of 2020? Stay safe in style with our ACL-branded black mask. Whether you buy ours or not, please take precautions to stay safe. We love and miss y’all and can’t wait to see you soon!

For the Trailblazer: ACL Red Paisley Bandana

Austin has many wonderful hiking trails – so you’re probably going to need to take along some bandanas for your hikes. It may be cooler now, but in the summer these things are a lifesaver – we recommend soaking it in ice water and wrapping it around your neck before you hit the greenbelt. Your dog would look very stylish sporting one of these too – so maybe grab two while you’re at it.

For the Trendsetter: Jackie Venson Taping Poster

If you’ve lived in Austin for a while, you’ve probably heard the buzz – Jackie Venson is on her way. Hopefully you caught her sensational national TV debut right here on Austin City Limits. If you were as blown away as we were, we’re sure you’ll want to grab this VERY limited edition poster that Jackie herself helped design. Peruse our collection of commemorative taping posters while you’re there – you never know what gems you’ll find…

For the Minimalist: Vintage black women’s boxy tee with ACL logo and Black Unisex Tee with white ACL logo

Do you live in Austin? Do you even have an ACL tee yet? If not, this is the perfect starter tee. You literally cannot go wrong with this classic. Choose from a black unisex tee and a women’s boxy tee for your fit of choice. Once you put it on, like magic you’ll start seeing it everywhere.

For the Historian: “A Song for You: The Austin City Limits Story” DVD

Want to win the ACL category at pub trivia? Just watch this documentary to get all the inside scoop and behind-the-scenes stories – while also catching incredible performances by some of the most amazing musicians to ever grace the ACL stage.

Some of our favorite stocking stuffers:

Austin City Limits holiday ornament

ACL Koozie

ACL Sticker Pack

Studio 6A Motel Keychain

Die Cut ACL Logo Sticker

Happy holidays from all of us at Austin City Limits! Wishing you and yours a healthy, happy and music-filled holiday season. ✨✨✨

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Featured News

Services set for Bill Arhos

KLRU-TV, Austin PBS and the family of Bill Arhos announce visitation and service to celebrate his life.

  • There will be a visitation on Thursday, April 16 from 6 to 8 pm at Weed-Corley at 3125 N Lamar Boulevard.
  • On Saturday, April 18 at 3 pm there will be a Celebration of the Life of Bill Arhos at ACL Live at The Moody Theater, 310 Willie Nelson Boulevard.  Both events are open to the public.

Arhos, a longtime KLRU station executive and father of Austin City Limits, died Saturday, April 11th, at the age of 80. His life’s work was devoted to KLRU, public media and music. He served in many positions during his nearly 40-year career at KLRU, joining in 1961 to help launch the public television station. Over the years, Arhos served as Producer, Program Director, Vice President of Programming, Executive Producer of Austin City Limits (1975-1999), and President/General Manager from 1986 until his retirement in 1999.  He also served on the boards of PBS and the Country Music Association.  Arhos was a proud graduate of Rice University, graduating in 1957. Rice honored Arhos in 2007 with the Association of Rice Alumni’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

Arhos will be buried in a private ceremony at the Texas State Cemetery alongside other Texas legends.

The family requests donations to the Bill Arhos Fund at KLRU in lieu of flowers.