Austin City Limits” (ACL) is set to mark 50 years since its first taping with Willie Nelson and Family set to perform during the “Austin City Limits 50th Birthday Bash” on Oct. 17 on the lawn at the Long Center for the Performing Arts. Opening for Nelson & Co. will be Austin-based country group Asleep at the Wheel.

Austin City Limits first welcomed Nelson to the stage to tape the pilot episode of ACL on Oct. 17, 1974,  of what is now the longest running music television show in U.S. history. Since that first ACL performance, Nelson has appeared on the program 18 times – more than any other performer. He was also the first inductee into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame, and has a bronze statue located outside ACL Live at the Moody Theater.

Austin City Limits will stream performances by Willie Nelson & Family and Asleep at the Wheel live from Austin City Limits’ 50th Birthday Bash, with the worldwide livestream available on aclturns50.com and Austin City Limits TV’s YouTube channel beginning at 7pm CT on Thursday, October 17, 2024. The stream will only be available live, and performance highlights will air on PBS and stream on the PBS App in 2025.

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