Willie Nelson to Headline Austin City Limits 50th Birthday Bash at The Long Center
Legendary country musicians Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel to perform free concert celebrating five decades of Austin City Limits
Fifty years ago, Willie Nelson took the stage for a pilot episode of what would become one of the most iconic television programs in music history. Now, Austin City Limits (ACL) is celebrating its 50th anniversary by returning to its roots, with Nelson headlining a birthday bash at The Long Center for the Performing Arts.
From blues icons like BB King to rock legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan, ACL has brought an impressive range of talent to the small screen, earning widespread acclaim and becoming the only television show to receive a National Medal of the Arts.
On October 17, 2024—exactly 50 years after the iconic pilot taping—Willie Nelson & Family will take the stage for Austin City Limits 50th Birthday Bash presented by Tito’s Handmade Vodka. They’ll be joined by Austin-based western swing band Asleep at the Wheel, who were part of the very first episode of ACL’s inaugural season.
For Luis Patiño, CEO of Austin PBS, leading the organization during this monumental milestone is nothing short of an honor. “I’ll tell you, it’s a privilege. I have to pinch myself sometimes to do what I do. It’s not work—it’s passion. It’s so much fun to work with the people that we work with, the people that have been working on Austin City Limits, in some cases, for all 50 years,” he says.
Willie Nelson’s lasting legacy at Austin City Limits
In the world of televised music, few shows have managed to capture the raw, unfiltered magic of live performance quite like Austin City Limits. From its early days on the University of Texas campus to its current home at ACL Live at The Moody Theater, the show has remained a true pioneer, giving viewers an intimate front-row seat to the very best in live music. But it all started with one man and his guitar, Willie Nelson.
“There would be no Austin City Limits without Willie Nelson—simple as that,” says longtime ACL executive producer Terry Lickona. Nelson’s pivotal 1974 performance set the stage for what would become five decades of unforgettable music. With 18 appearances on the show, Nelson holds the record for the most performances, and his bronze statue proudly stands at the entrance to the ACL Live at the Moody Theater.
What to expect at Austin City Limit’s 50th Birthday Bash
While the concert is free and open to the public, attendance is by lottery, and fans will need to register for a chance to attend. Registration will open at 8 a.m. CT on Friday, Sept. 20, and close at 10 p.m. CT on Monday, September 23. Winners will be notified between September 26 and September 27.
The birthday bash will be taped and broadcast as part of ACL’s landmark 50th season in 2025. It’s a rare opportunity to witness history in the making and a nod to the countless artists and fans who have made Austin City Limits the institution it is today.
Austin PBS expands daytime tours for fans
In honor of the golden anniversary, Austin PBS is expanding its popular ACL daytime tours, offering six guided tours daily starting October 1. Fans can explore 50 years of Austin City Limits history through an interactive timeline, view iconic artifacts, enjoy the music photography of Scott Newton (ACL’s official photographer since 1979), and step inside the ACL control room for a behind-the-scenes look at how the show is produced.
Tours will conclude with a photo opportunity featuring the iconic ACL skyline. Tickets are available for $20, with free admission for children 12 and under. For those who can’t attend the birthday bash, these tours offer another way to celebrate ACL’s enduring influence on music and culture. Learn more about the reimagined daytime tours and secure tickets on the ACL Live website.
