Austin, Texas

It was a gorgeous night for a birthday bash to honor the longest running music tv show, Austin City Limits. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect, (dropping from the sweating highs of the week in the high 90s) and a full Hunter’s moon rising behind the stage and the view of the expanding Austin skyline.

For those of us who grew up watching the show, including the pilot episode on this date in 1974, it was nostalgic and heartwarming. And for all others, it was still one of the most special nights and experiences with great music and good times, reminding of us of why we live in Austin.

In a twist of the traditional tapings of the tv show that take place at ACL Live at the Moody Theater, tonight’s show was held outside at the Long Center just across the river. The crowd was still not massive, about 3,000. It was a multi-generational, super chill vibe. We loved seeing so many kids with their parents, dressed in willie attire- red bandana, cowboy boots and hats.

The night started out with intros by several including so many cheers for Terry LiCkona, the face of acl tv and when he mentioned 50 years, Willie said, ‘let’s go for 50 more!”.

(and boos when gov Abbott’s name was mentioned. dedications to the city and mayor watson came out- announcing October 17th as Austin City Limits Day- cementing Austin, again, as the live music capitol.

The music began with icons Austinite, Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel who warmed things up with popular songs including “Route 66” and Bob Wills’ song. He talked a lot about playing together in their fist gig at a venue just nearby and when he was starting out and living on south 6th street in austin, his friend and roommate (a concert booker) said “hey do you wanna do this show called austin city limits?” Yeah, the rest is history. Benson commented on how well people have held up 50 years later”. He did several corny dad jokes that only some got, but it was endearing and fitting when he told chicken jokes leading into the goofy chicken song “Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens”.

Willie Nelson was the headliner, coming back to honor that he was the first musician to play the iconic tv show. To see
Willie with his backing band including son Lukas Nelson and Waylon Payne flanking him (which was fitting since his dad Jody played in Willie’s band on the original show, Kevin Smith, and of course, long-time friend Mickey Rafael on harmonica.

In usual fashion, Willie rolled from one iconic song to the next without breaks. Fans sang along and danced to the hits- starting out like he usually does with “Whiskey River”, then many more familiar tunes “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys”, “On The Road Again”, “Roll Me Up & Smoke Me When I Die”, the gospel “I’ll Fly Away” and even a new song from hi s upcoming album, Last Leaf On The Tree. At 91, Nelson is constantly still on the road, releasing books and albums with new music, and inspiring us all. Now, if we could only vote for him for president!

Check out the setlist from 1974.

Set list