Austin City Limits and Austin PBS are deeply disappointed to announce, after careful consideration, the 2020 Austin City Limits Hall of Fame Induction & Celebration event will no longer take place in October 2020 as previously planned.
We are already looking ahead and will be back next year – October 28, 2021. We hope you will save the date and join us for this annual celebration and Austin PBS fundraiser.
The broadcast Season 46 of Austin City Limits will return this fall. In the meantime, we are working on a special episode, TheBest of Austin City Limits Hall of Fame, featuring highlights from the past 6 years of unforgettable music performances from the Hall of Fame stage to air this winter on PBS.
Live music beacon Austin City Limits is extending access to its archives through June 30 as a gift to music fans during the current live music void. The perennial television series is making fan-favorite episodes from the recently broadcast Season 45 and choice vintage gems available for streaming during these stay-at-home days, in addition to the entire slate of programs from the previous two seasons of the acclaimed concert showcase. Over 40 ACL installments are available to stream free online at https://www.pbs.org/show/austin-city-limits/ offering a wide variety of music’s finest from every genre. Cited by USA Today as the lead option for streaming live music, Austin City Limits has offered viewers a front-row seat to the best in performance for an incredible four-and-a-half decades from the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin, Texas; the series is the flagship of the popular ACL Music Festival.
In addition, the long-running series has delivered classics from its catalog for recent high-profile events: In honor of Willie Nelson’s 87th birthday, ACL showcased an historic 1976 live performance of Red Headed Stranger, which also marked the 45th anniversary of that classic album’s release; UK hitmaker Ed Sheeran’s stunning 2017 hourlong solo acoustic performance recently opened the virtual 3-day PlayOn Fest to benefit the COVID-19 response. ACL is also offering fans the ability to appear on the legendary ACL stage, complete with the iconic Austin skyline, with new virtual backgrounds for Zoom and smartphones free for fans to use here. Custom ACL face masks are also available for fans, and with every mask purchase one will be distributed to someone in need shop.acltv.com.
While live music is grounded and with the postponement and cancellation of countless tours and music festivals, ACL aims to keep its spirit alive and fill the void, providing new viewing options for cooped-up music fans. The program has fast-tracked popular episodes to stream at home, and the show goes on with a generous helping of performances to choose from. Favorites from ACL’s recent Season 45 and the entire slate of Seasons 43 and 44 are available to stream at https://www.pbs.org/show/austin-city-limits/. ACL unlocks two classic fan-favorite vintage installments: the late blues giant B.B. King’s classic 1983 debut and Tom Waits’ legendary 1978 appearance. There’s something for everyone in the extended line-up: highlights include a golden hour with late singer-songwriter giant John Prine (the 2018 performance is one of ACL’s most-requested episodes of all time); an epic stage journey with 2020’s Grammy-winning global pop phenom Billie Eilish; songs for uncertain times with indie-rock provocateur Father John Misty (backed by a 16-piece orchestra); Willie Nelson’s 2018 return to “the house that Willie built” in a career-spanning performance for the ages; a sparkling hour with country superstar Miranda Lambert; a dazzling, career-spanning hour with celebrated jazz legend Herbie Hancock; supergroup The Raconteurs, featuring Jack White and Brendan Benson, in an all-out hour of pure rock and roll; a show-stopping hour with visionary funk songstress Janelle Monáe; rock legends the Pretenders in a shining hit-filled hour of career highlights; a thrilling hour with blues legend Buddy Guy; a radiant hour with acclaimed singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile; powerhouse rap duo Run the Jewels; rock stars Cage The Elephant; an electrifying hour with guitar hero Gary Clark Jr.; a captivating performance from indie original Sharon Van Etten; an endorphin rush set from dance floor magnets LCD Soundsystem; a euphoric hour with New Orleans funk phenom Trombone Shorty and his 10-piece band; standout Austin progressive soul act Black Pumas; innovative art-rock performer St. Vincent; acclaimed singer-songwriter Jason Isbell; stripped-down roots music with Patty Griffin; R&B phenom Miguel; fan-favorite Norah Jones; a rare television performance from acclaimed indie-rock innovator Mitski; next-generation country with chart-topper Kane Brown; and a thrilling hour with celebrated Flamenco-fusion artist Rosalía. ACL’s renowned production is an industry leader, making it a required stopping point for legendary artists and innovators of all genres. Featuring unparalleled audio, and dynamic camerawork, ACL captures all the artistry and energy of live performance.
The series has also created an upcoming encore broadcast programming block with highly-requested episodes from recent ACL archives to air weekly on PBS stations, beginning on May 16 with a buoyant hour with breakout singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers. The programming slate again offers something for all and continues through the end of June: choices include left-of-center country queen Kacey Musgraves; an unforgettable hour of stories and songs with Americana icon Steve Earle saluting the songwriting legacy of the legendary Guy Clark; UK modern rock superstars Arctic Monkeys; country superstar Chris Stapleton; powerhouse R&B sensation H.E.R.; indie rock titans Vampire Weekend; breakout R&B/pop star Khalid; laid-back indie rocker Mac DeMarco; road-tested red-dirt country-rockers Turnpike Troubadours and Austin favorites, indie-folk band Wild Child. Check local PBS listings for times. These broadcast episodes will also be available to stream at https://www.pbs.org/show/austin-city-limits/.
Tune-in, log on, and let ACL be a trusted sidekick for entertainment during these challenging days. The power of music has sustained people in difficult times throughout history and ACL encourages fans and folks to please enjoy these gifts from their archives. And, if you need to freshen up your video calls, we’ve created backgrounds for your calls. Click on the images below to and download:
Fans can also browse the ACL YouTube channel for exclusive songs, behind-the-scenes videos and full-length artist interviews.For images and episode information, visit Austin City Limits press room at http://acltv.com/press-room/.
ACL Encore Broadcast Schedule
May 16 Maggie Rogers
May 23 Khalid / Mac DeMarco
May 30 Steve Earle & The Dukes: A Tribute to Guy Clark
Austin City Limits was greatly saddened to learn of the death of singer and songwriter John Prine, who died April 7 from complications due to the coronavirus. John Prine’s last Austin City Limits performance is scheduled to broadcast again on PBS on April 18th. Check your local listings or stream it online in its entirety below.
What can we say about John Prine? It’s no secret that he was one of the greatest songwriters to ever pick up a guitar – everyone from Kris Kristofferson (who discovered him) to Elvis Costello to Bonnie Raitt to Johnny Cash to Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters to Bob Dylan would agree. Even film critic Roger Ebert, stumbling upon Prine at a Chicago open mic in 1970 after a movie, lavished rapturous praise on the Illinois mail carrier, shifting his piece that night from covering the film to covering Prine’s set. (It was Prine’s first review.) His work’s plainspoken eloquence, keen intelligence, sly wit, and singalong melodies make lifelong friends with anyone who chances upon them.
We certainly felt he was in the upper echelon of tunesmithing greats. Prine appeared on the show eight times – headlining his own episodes in 1978, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2005 and 2018, joining a songwriters special in 1983, and appearing as a guest of Bonnie Raitt in 2002, duetting on his classic “Angel From Montgomery,” in a performance Raitt called one of the highlights of her career.
Bonnie Raitt and John Prine, Austin City Limits, 2002
We were stunned and thrilled by Prine’s most recent appearance two years ago in Season 44, when he was supporting his wildly acclaimed album Tree of Forgiveness. This was a man who hadn’t lost a step in the progression of his talent over the years, writing songs as smart and funny and powerful as he ever had. Quite simply, he was one of the best.
“This one really hurts, like a dagger to the heart. John Prine was so integral to the essence of Austin City Limits, and few artists graced the ACL stage over the years and decades more than he did,” says executive producer Terry Lickona. “The last time I saw him and his sweet wife Fiona was at this year’s Grammy Awards for his Lifetime Achievement Award, and he was as charming and self-effacing as usual, brushing off all the fuss. He leaves a void that no one else can fill.”
John Prine was one of the brightest stars in the galaxy of American songwriting. He will be missed.
Austin City Limits were surprised and saddened to learn of the death of country music icon Kenny Rogers. The Texas native and Country Music Hall of Famer, who appeared on ACL during our twenty-fifth anniversary season in 2000, was one of the most successful recording artists of all time, with an unbelievable 120 charting hits over the course of his long career. He was 81.
Born in Houston, Rogers first recorded in the late fifties with a Houston-based group called the Scholars, releasing the song “The Poor Little Doggie.” By the mid-sixties, he had joined the folk act New Christy Minstrels as bassist and singer. Rogers and a handful of Minstrels then spun off into their own band First Edition, who scored a major pop hit in 1967 with the psychedelic pastiche “Just Dropped In (to See What Condition My Condition Was In).” Taking over leadership of the group, Rogers led them back to the charts with 1969’s “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town,” solidifying the country pop direction that would make him one of the biggest crossover stars of the seventies and eighties.
We all know the songs: “Lucille,” “Coward of the County,” “We’ve Got Tonight,” “Lady,” “Music Man,” “Daytime Friends,” the massive Bee Gees-penned Dolly Parton duet “Islands in the Stream,” and, of course, “The Gambler,” his signature song – all of which he performed on the ACL stage. While he became less of a presence on the pop charts over time, he remained a fixture on the country charts with songs like “Crazy,” “Morning Desire,” “Make No Mistake, She’s Mine,” “If You Want to Find Love,” “The Greatest,” “Buy Me a Rose,” “I Can’t Unlove You,” and many, many more.
photo by Scott Newton
“Kenny Rogers was one of the few country-pop icons to grace the ACL stage,” noted executive producer Terry Lickona, “which is a testament to how far and wide our reach had become even twenty years ago. His fans truly loved him, and it was a show like no other.” He will be missed.
Live music beacon Austin City Limits (ACL) is opening its archives as a gift to music fans during the current live music moratorium. Starting March 23, the perennial television series will make fan-favorite episodes from the recently broadcast Season 45 available for streaming, in addition to the entire slate of programs from the previous two seasons of the acclaimed concert showcase. Over 35 ACL installments will be available to stream free online at https://www.pbs.org/show/austin-city-limits/ offering a wide variety of music’s finest from every genre. The series has also created an upcoming broadcast programming block with highly-requested episodes from recent ACL archives to air weekly on PBS stations (check local listings for times) beginning March 28.
Cited by USA Today as the lead option for streaming live music, Austin City Limits has offered viewers a front-row seat to the best in performance for an incredible four-and-a-half decades from the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin, Texas; the series is the flagship of the popular ACL Music Festival.
While live music is grounded and with the postponement and cancellation of countless tours and music festivals, ACL aims to keep its spirit alive, providing new viewing options for the house-bound. The program has fast-tracked popular episodes to stream at home, and the show goes on with a generous helping of performances to choose from. Favorites from ACL’s recent Season 45 will be available to stream beginning Monday, March 23 at https://www.pbs.org/show/austin-city-limits/. There’s something for everyone: an electrifying hour with guitar hero Gary Clark Jr.; an epic stage journey with 2020’s Grammy-winning global pop phenom Billie Eilish; supergroup The Raconteurs, featuring Jack White and Brendan Benson, in an all-out hour of pure rock and roll. The line-up also features many recent Grammy winners and nominees including powerhouse R&B sensation H.E.R.; breakout singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers; indie rock titans Vampire Weekend; standout Austin progressive soul act Black Pumas and a thrilling hour with celebrated Flamenco-fusion artist Rosalía. ACL’s renowned production is an industry leader, making it a required stopping point for legendary artists and innovators of all genres. Featuring unparalleled audio, and dynamic camerawork, ACL captures all the artistry and energy of live performance.
ACL has also assembled an encore broadcast block featuring some of the most popular installments from recent ACL archives, set to air consecutively in the upcoming weeks, beginning on March 28 with an endorphin rush set from dance floor magnets LCD Soundsystem; the programming slate again offers something for all and continues through the end of June: choices include the euphoric funk of Janelle Monáe; country superstar Chris Stapleton; UK modern rock superstars Arctic Monkeys; celebrated jazz legend Herbie Hancock; folk hero John Prine; breakout R&B/pop star Khalid; left-of-center country queen Kacey Musgraves; Americana icon Steve Earle; laid-back indie rocker Mac DeMarco; and stripped-down roots music with Patty Griffin. These broadcast episodes will also be available to stream at https://www.pbs.org/show/austin-city-limits/.
Tune-in, log on, and let ACL be a trusted sidekick for entertainment during these challenging days. The power of music has sustained people in difficult times throughout history and ACL encourages fans and folks to please enjoy these gifts from their archives.
ACL Encore Broadcast Schedule
March 28 LCD Soundsystem
April 4 Patty Griffin / The Revivalists
April 11 Janelle Monae
April 18 John Prine
April 25 Kacey Musgraves / Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
May 2 Gary Clark Jr.
May 9 Herbie Hancock
May 16 Maggie Rogers
May 23 Khalid / Mac DeMarco
May 30 Steve Earle & The Dukes: A Tribute to Guy Clark
June 6 H.E.R.
June 13 Vampire Weekend
June 20 Chris Stapleton / Turnpike Troubadours
June 27 Arctic Monkeys / Wild Child
You can also browse the ACL YouTube channel for exclusive songs, behind-the-scenes videos and full-length interviews with our artists.
Friday night at 8pm CT, Austin City Limits Radio (97.1 FM), Austin City Limits TV and The Austin City Limits Music Festival will host ACL Stands With Austin. It’s a two-hour telethon-style program dedicated to the folks who are hardest hit by not just SXSW’s cancellation but also the ensuing health crisis—the music and service industry pros who literally have made our city famous. We’ll raise money for the Austin Community Foundation’s Stand With Austin fund, while you enjoy special performances live on the radio on 97.1FM ACL Radio, acl-radio.com, acltv.com and additional platforms from a series of Austin mainstays and friends of our town.
Among the artists who’ve shared with us exclusive work-at-home performances: Britt Daniel of Spoon, Shakey Graves, The Texas Gentlemen, David Ramirez, Bob Schneider, Jackie Venson, Abraham Alexander, Guy & Jeska Forsyth and some longtime friends of Austin City Limits Radio from across the country, including Hanson, Lisa Loeb, and Brian Fallon of The Gaslight Anthem.
Also, as part of this web/radio-athon, we’ll talk about the crisis and its impact on musicians, restaurateurs, and service industry professionals with:
Austin Mayor Steve Adler
HAAM’s Reenie Collins
The Red River Cultural District’s Cody Cowan and Antone’s Will Bridges
