Austin City Limits

-"Austin City Limits" celebrates 50 years.

- All you ever do is bring me down - Angel flying too close to the ground - I'm going to a town that has already been burned down - Might just be my everything and beyond - Closer I am to fine, yeah - Toda una vida - Toda una vida, s - Me estara contigo - I love best the 12th of June - I love best the 12th of June - Jimmy is married and he lives down south - She's my sweet little baby I'm her little lover boy -Well, congratulations, "Austin City Limits."

It's your 50th anniversary.

You've been the longest-running music program in TV history, and I just wanted to say a big old congratulations to you.

-50 years after Willie Nelson's original pilot show, join us as both Willie and "Austin City Limits" continue to inspire a new generation of today's biggest stars.

- Mama made for me - If you had not a-fallen I would not have found you Angel flying too close to the ground And I patched up your broken wings And hung around awhile Trying to keep your spirits up And your fever down I knew someday That you would fly away For love's the greatest healer to be found So leave me if you need to And I shall remember Angel flying too close to the ground [ Cheers and applause ] Fly on Fly on past the speed of sound I'd rather see you up Than see you down So leave me if you need to I'll still remember Angel flying too close to the ground Leave me if you need to And I'll still remember Angel flying too close to the ground [ Cheers and applause ] Thank you.

And thank you, Willie.

-"Austin City Limits" celebrates 50 years.

-It's "Austin City Limits."

-Thank you so much, everybody.

[ Chanting ] We gonna be alright!

We gonna be alright!

-"Austin City Limits."

-Alright, Austin, Texas.

-One, two, three!

Rock!

-Alright, alright, alright.

Thank you very much.

-50 years of "Austin City Limits"!

-Celebrating 50 years of great music, it's "Austin City Limits."

[ Cheers and applause ] When Willie Nelson took the stage on October 17, 1974, who knew that pilot show would launch five extraordinary decades of music?

- Whiskey River, take my mind Don't let her memory torture me Whiskey River, don't run dry You're all I got, take care of me Whiskey River, take my mind Don't let her memory torture me Whiskey River, don't run dry You're all I got, take care... -What began as a showcase for Austin's music scene quickly grew to include every kind of music from everywhere.

- So what becomes of little boys Who never say their prayers?

Well, they're sleeping like a baby On the nickel over there - Georgia [ Cheers and applause ] Oh, Georgia Yeah, the whole day through Ah This old sweet song Keeps Georgia on my mind Oh, Lord - I'm not ready to make nice I'm not ready to back down I'm still mad as hell And I don't have time to go round and round and round It's too late to make it right I probably wouldn't if I could 'Cause I'm mad as hell Can't bring myself to do what it is you think I should - Is someone getting the best The best, the best, the best of you?

Is someone getting the best The best, the best, the best of you?

Has someone taken your faith... -"Austin City Limits" is an official Rock & Roll Hall of Fame landmark, received a rare Institutional Peabody Award, and is the only television program to receive a National Medal of Arts.

[ Cheers and applause ] 50 years to the day after the original pilot show, Willie Nelson returns to celebrate an emotional, magical night.

-Thank you.

On the road again I can't wait to get on the road again The life I love is making music with my friends And I can't wait to get on the road again On the road again Going places that I've never been Seeing things that I may never see again I can't wait to get on the road again 50 years.

Let's go for 50 more.

Thank you very much.

[ Cheers and applause ] -Please welcome your hosts for "Austin City Limits Celebrates 50 Years" -- Genevieve and Jared Padalecki.

-Howdy, y'all.

[ Cheers and applause ] Welcome, everybody.

We are thrilled to be here to celebrate half a century of music from the world's longest-running music show, "Austin City Limits."

50 years, Gen. -Wow.

It's truly an incredible milestone, and Jared and I are excited to be your hosts as we honor the show we all love.

-Yeah, as Austin residents for 15 years, and more importantly as music fans, "Austin City Limits" has become a special part of our lives as well as the lives of our three kiddos.

-They will never forget the shows they saw here by Olivia Rodrigo and Jacob Collier, and I'll never forget dancing so hard up in that balcony while the Foo Fighters rocked the house.

-So tonight we're going to take a multicultural, multigenerational, wild and wonderful musical journey with some brand-new inspired performances mixed in with some magical moments from the ACL archives.

-So let's kick it off with a band which masterfully combines country, Latin, rock, Americana, and more into a sound all their own.

-Austin City Limits, let's hear it for the Mavericks.

[ Cheers and applause ] -One, two, a-one, two three, four!

[ "All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down" playing ] - I can't sleep a wink anymore Ever since you first walked out the door I just started drinking to forget I don't think the worst has happened yet Let me hear you now!

All you ever do is bring me down Making me a fool all over town They all wonder why I wear a frown And, honey, all you do is bring me down Bring me down, boys.

Yeah!

Hey, hey!

Funny how my whole world fell apart I think I saw it coming from the start I tried to tell myself that you'd be true I expected way too much of you What?

All you ever do is bring me down Making me a fool all over town They all wonder why I wear a frown 'Cause, honey, all you do is bring me down [ Cheers and applause ] One, two, a-one, two, three!

Are you ever do is bring me down Making me fool all over town Yeah, there you go.

They all wonder why I wear a frown That's 'cause, honey, all you do is bring me down Honey, all you ever do is bring me down Honey, all you ever do is bring me down Two, three, four!

Yeah!

Hey, hey!

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause ] -Let's go.

Let's go.

Bring those keys up.

- Oooh hoo hoo -Austin, if you feel real good, put your hands in the air!

[ Shouts indistinctly ] [ "Doo Wop (That Thing)" playing ] -Yeah-yeah!

Yeah, yeah-yeah!

Yeah, yeah-yeah!

- Girls, you know you better... -What you say?

- Watch out - Because some guys, some guys are only... - About That thing, that thing, that... - Thing -What you say?

- That thing, that thing, that... - Thing 'Cause, guys, you know, you better... Watch out Oh, because some girls, some girls are only... - About - That thing, that thing, that... - Thing - I'm telling you, that thing, that thing That thing, that thing That thing, that thing, that thing - Yeah, yeah -Yeah, yeah-yeah!

- Yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah - You keep on asking me the same questions Why?

And second-guessing all my intentions Should know by the way I use my compression Ooh, ooh, you got the answers to my confessions It's like I'm powerful with a little bit of tender An emotional, sexual bender Mess me up, yeah, but no one does it better There's nothing better That's just the way you make me feel That's just the way you make me feel That's just the way you make me feel - That's just the way you make me feel - Uh-huh, so good, so good, so hot, so real Uh-huh That's just the way you make me feel Whoo!

That's just the way you make me feel - Alls my life I... Hard times like, "God!"

Bad trips like, "Yeah!"

Nazareth, I'm on one You on one, God We gonna be alright - We gonna be alright -Yeah!

- We gonna be alright We gonna be alright - Do you hear me, do you feel me?

We gonna be alright - We gonna be alright - We gonna be alright - We gonna be alright - Do you hear me, do you feel me?

We gonna be alright We gonna be alright - We gonna be alright - We gonna be alright Do you hear me, do you feel me?

We gonna be alright We gonna be alright - Alright Alright, right, right, right, right, right We gonna be alright [ Cheers and applause ] -Almost a decade ago, this extraordinary singer-songwriter from Fort Worth, Texas... [ Cheers and applause ] ...made his "Austin City Limits" debut.

-We are so thrilled he's back for this soulful celebration of a show that over the years has featured R&B legends like Bobby "Blue" Bland, Irma Thomas, Buddy Guy, and B.B.

King.

-Let's all welcome back the amazing Leon Bridges.

[ Cheers and applause ] [ "Beyond" plays ] - Don't want to get ahead of myself Feeling things I never felt Kind of hard for me to explain Her personality in everything Brings me to my knees She shines me up like gold on my arm I want to take it slow, but it's so hard I love to see her face in daylight It's more than just our bodies at night Yeah, she's really tempting me Do you think I'm being foolish if I don't rush in?

I-I-I'm scared to death that she might be it That the love is real, that the shoe might fit She might just be my everything and beyond Beyond Space and time in the afterlife Will she have my kids?

Will she be my wife?

She might just be my everything and beyond I want to bring her 'round to meet you I think you'd like her kind demeanor I know that Grandma would've loved her Like she was her own She makes me feel at home Do you think I'm being foolish if I don't rush in?

I'm scared to death that she might be it That the love is real, that the shoe might fit She might just be my everything and beyond Beyond Space and time in the afterlife Will she have my kids?

Will she be my wife?

She might just be my everything and beyond I give up, I'm in love Crying Oh, me, oh, my, I can't explain Oh, me, oh, my, I can't explain Oh, she might be So do you think I'm being foolish if I don't rush in?

I'm scared to death that she might be it That the love is real, that the shoe might fit She might just be my everything and beyond Beyond Space and time in the afterlife Will she have my kids?

Will she be my wife?

She might just be my everything and beyond [ People cheering ] She might just be mine She might just be mine She just might just be mine Mine Mine, mine, mine, mine [ Cheers and applause ] Thank you so much.

-Totally.

I remember I was in -- I was in London prior, and, um, it was, um -- I was, like, scrambling around trying to find, like, a blazer.

And I went to the mall and got this, like, blue blazer, and I wore it -- I wore it to ACL, um, that first time.

And I kind of regretted it in retrospect because I was just like, "Why did I wear a blue blazer with a red tie?"

But, um, man, it was -- it was a good time.

I normally get anxiety, you know, when I'm on, you know -- in front of a camera, but, um, I mean, ACL, you know, the vibe is cozy, you know?

And it's like, being in Austin, like, that's, you know, right down the road from Fort Worth.

So, you know, it's like kind of a home away from home.

-One of the great "Austin City Limits" traditions over the last 50 years has been to gather together a wide range of singer-songwriters for a songwriters in the round.

- Well, hello there [ Applause ] My, it's been a long, long time How am I doing?

Oh, I guess I'm doing fine - Well, the poets tell how Pancho fell Lefty's living in a cheap hotel The desert's quiet and Cleveland's cold So the story ends, we're told Pancho needs your prayers, it's true But save a few for Lefty too He just did what he had to do Oh, and now he's growing old - All the Federales say Could have had him any day We only let him slip away Out of kindness, I suppose -Emmylou Harris hosted one of the first of these almost 40 years ago, with a brilliant group of all women songwriters.

- They're comin' down from Tonopah to Tupelo She'll come to town to ride the radio Like she's slidin' down the walls of Jericho There goes the sweetheart of the rodeo - When you can't find a friend You've still got the radio When you can't find a friend You've still got the radio Oh, the radio Listen to the radio Radio Listen to the radio Oh, the radio Listen to the radio It's the radio -In so many ways, ACL was always ahead of the curve.

Tonight, we are thrilled to bring back that tradition with a new "in the round" hosted by a dynamic duo of singer-songwriters and ACL favorites.

Please welcome Indigo Girls!

[ Cheers and applause ] -Honestly, we are so thrilled to be here.

"We love Austin City Limits," and, um, we were so excited when we got invited, so... And thanks for you all for being here.

[ Cheers and applause ] -Little love song.

[ "Share the Moon" plays ] - I can go one day without calling Two days without bawling Three days without missing But a lifetime of no kissing you Is something that I just can't do I wish I could be there to share the moon I got more back for the breaking More callus for making A lifetime for the aching I got no need to run this battery down Just trying to get the stains out I wish I could be there to share the moon Hey la la I'm gonna love you till it hurts I don't mind if I do Hey la la I'm gonna love you till it works I got no mind to lose Oooooh Ooh ooh Oooooh Ooh ooh And there's one trash heap burning Them fireflies are returning Nightfall is softly chirping One trailer light is staying on till dawn I wonder who it's waiting on I wish I could be there to share the moon Hey la la I'm gonna love you till it hurts I don't mind if I do Hey la la I'm gonna love you till it works I got no mind to lose Oooooh Ooh ooh Oooooh Ooh ooh [ Cheers and applause ] -Thanks, y'all.

-Thank y'all.

-Y'all, we love this woman.

Please welcome Brandy Clark.

[ Cheers and applause ] [ "Dear Insecurity" plays ] - Dear insecurity Oh, we meet again Don't try to flirt with me You're not really my friend But you take up half this bed Living rent-free in my head Oh, insecurity You show up in my mirror Point out the worst in me You whisper in my ear That my lips are way too thin Too many miles on my skin If I can't find a way to get you gone Can we find a way to get along, along, along?

You're careless and you're cruel And, oh, you're mindless Maybe you could try a little kindness Instead of hurting me Hey, insecurity Now, where did you come from?

Your immaturity Is the thing I can't outrun You're a mean girl, you're a bully And I hope you're having fun 'Cause insecurity You try on all my clothes It just occurred to me That you may live in my phone You tell me I don't fit in You push me close to quittin' If I can't find a way to get you gone Can we find a way to get along, along, along?

You're careless and your cruel And, oh, you're mindless Maybe you could try a little kindness Instead of hurting me 'Cause insecurity This time feels like love She's really sure of me So please don't mess this up If you cut in on this dance, I may never get another chance I'll never find a way to get you gone Wish I could find a way To know you're wrong, you're wrong, you're wrong You're careless and you're cruel And, oh, you're mindless Maybe you could try a little kindness Instead of hurting me Why you hurting me, insecurity?

[ Cheers and applause ] Thank you.

-When I first heard this woman, I heard this song called "Burning House."

Absolutely blew me away.

And then I got to know her music, and then we became friends, hung out a little bit in Nashville.

Just a creative thinker, singer, performer, and artist.

Please welcome Cam.

[ Cheers and applause ] -Thank you.

[ "Burning House" plays ] I had a dream about a burning house You were stuck inside, I couldn't get you out I laid beside you and pulled you close And the two of us went up in smoke Love isn't all that it seems I did you wrong I'll stay here with you until this dream is gone I've been sleepwalking Been wandering all night Trying to take what's lost and broken Make it right And I've been sleepwalking Too close to the fire But it's the only place that I can hold you tight In this burning house I see you at a party and you look the same I could take you back, but people don't ever change I wish that we could go back in time And I'd be the one you thought you'd find Love isn't all that it seems I did you wrong I'll stay here with you until this dream is gone I've been sleepwalking Been wandering all night Trying to take what's lost and broken Make it right I've been sleepwalking too close to the fire But it's the only place that I can hold you tight In this burning house The flames are getting bigger now In this burning house I can hold on to you somehow in this burning house Oh, and I don't want to wake up in this burning house I've been sleepwalking Been wandering all night Trying to take what's lost and broken Make it right I've been sleepwalking too close to the fire But it's the only place that I can hold you tight In this burning house [ Cheers and applause ] The one and only Indigo Girls.

Whoo-hoo!

[ Cheers and applause ] -We're gonna leave you, for this part of it, with this song, I just -- I love the way music just gets rid of division, you know?

Just... [ Cheers and applause ] It's nice to be joined together in music and comradeship.

I love it.

Here we go.

Here's a hootenanny song.

If y'all know it, please sing it.

-One, two!

Ready?

And... [ "Closer to Fine" plays ] [ Cheers and applause ] I'm trying to tell you something 'bout my life Maybe give me insight between black and white And the best thing you ever done for me Is to help me take my life less seriously 'Cause it's only life after all Yeah Well, darkness has a hunger that's insatiable And lightness has a call it's hard to hear I wrap my fear around me like a blanket I sailed my ship of safety till I sank it I'm crawling on your shores Here we go.

- I went to the doctor I went to the mountains I looked to the children I drank from the fountains There's more than one answer to these questions Pointing me in a crooked line And the less I seek my source for some definitive Closer I am to fine, yeah Closer I am to fine, yeah -Brandy.

- I went to see the doctor of philosophy With a poster of Rasputin and a beard down to his knee He never did marry or see a B-grade movie He graded my performance He said he could see through me I spent four years prostrate to the higher mind Got my paper and I was free [ Cheers and applause ] - I went to the doctor I went to the mountains I looked to the children I drank from the fountains - There's more than one answer to these questions Pointing me in a crooked line And the less I seek my source for some definitive - Closer I am to fine, yeah Closer I am to fine, yeah Lyris.

- Stopped by the bar at 3:00 a.m. To seek solace in a bottle or possibly a friend And I woke up with a headache Like my head against a board Twice as cloudy as I'd been the night before When I went in seeking clarity - And I went to the doctor And I went to the mountains I looked to the children I drank from the fountains Yeah, we go to the doctor We go to the mountains We look to the children We drink from the fountains Yeah, we go to the Bible We go through the workout We read up on revival And we stand up for the lookout - There's more than one answer to these questions Pointing me in a crooked line And the less I seek my source for some definitive - Closer I am to fine, yeah Closer I am to fine Closer I am to fine, yeah [ Cheers and applause ] -Thank y'all!

-Thank you all.

-Brandy Clark.

Cam.

-It's like getting to be sitting in a circle with people whose music you really love and admire.

So there's a sense of, as a fan, like, I can't believe I get to sit and sing songs with these wonderful people.

-Yeah, and it's so intense to sit next to somebody when they're singing, you know, in that -- they're in that space, you know, and they're really present with their song and you could feel the energy coming off of them and they're just like right here.

And it's just, for me, it's quite intimate and, like, lucky to get to sit next to somebody when they're digging in like that, you know, and just witness.

So I've always loved that part of it.

-There's something extra magic about getting that close to a song, and that only happens in a songwriters' circle.

This is the best part of music, to me, is getting to feel everybody's feelings and feel validated that, like, that heartbreak that you went through, like, I see it, I know it, it's in me too.

And that sounds really cheesy [laughs] but when you're there and you're living it it's like I think this is a peak human experience.

-It's both, um, inspiring and nerve-racking because I'm setting up there with three other singer-songwriters who I really admire.

I remember where I was the first time I heard the Indigo Girls.

I remember the first time I heard Cam with "Burning House."

And so you don't want to hit a bad note with them up there.

But it also reminds me of -- of why I write songs and sing songs when I -- when I hear what they're playing.

-Latin artists have been a part of "Austin City Limits" back to Flaco Jimnez in the very first season.

[ "La Camisa Negra" playing ] -Every time I look back and I see this image, I see, "No, no, no, no, no, no.

I can't believe it.

I'm in 'Austin City Limits.'

Ahhh!"

[ Crowd cheers ] Tengo la camisa negra Hoy mi amor est de luto Hoy tengo en el alma una pena Y es por culpa de tu embrujo Hoy s que t ya no me quieres Y eso es lo que ms me hiere Que tengo la camisa negra Y una pena que me duele - Nounkonton di mi wa y Wgoton di han wa lo -Over the years, the "City Limits" expanded to showcase unique voices from around the world.

- Min bi sin afo nin sogb Awa djidj man djro w o wa Oun yolow wa dou w Whoa oh oh oh oh oh Whoa oh oh oh Whoa oh oh oh oh oh Ohh oh-oh oh-oh oh-oh oh-oh Tumba, tumba, tumba, tumba yo Tumba, tumba, tumba, tumba wa Tumba tumba a, tumba tumba o - El dembow lo canto con hondura Dicen una estrella, una figura De Hctor aprend la sabrosura Nunca viste una joya tan pura - Esto es pa' que quede, lo que yo hago dura - Con altura - Demasiadas noches de travesura - Con altura - Vivo rpido y no tengo cura - Con altura - Ir joven pa' la sepultura - Con altura - Esto es pa' que quede, lo que yo hago dura - Con altura Demasiadas noches de travesura - Con altura - Vivo rpido y no tengo cura - Con altura - Ir joven pa' la sepultura - Con altura - Pongo rosas sobre el Panamera Pongo palmas sobre la guantanamera Llevo a Camarn en la guantera - De la Isla - Lo hago para mi gente y lo hago a mi manera Flores azules y quilates Y si es mentira que me maten Flores azules y quilates Y si es mentira que me maten Con altura -Tonight, "Austin City Limits" is proud to continue spotlighting Latin artists and other new voices.

-Now making her ACL debut, here is a stunning Mexican American singer who has become a shining new star from one of the great creative families in Latin music history.

She's one of the youngest artists ever nominated for both a Latin Grammy and a Grammy Award.

Please welcome -- with special guest the legendary Tro Los Panchos -- Angela Aguilar.

[ Cheers and applause ] [ "Piensa en M" plays ] - Si tienes un hondo penar, piensa en m Si tienes ganas de llorar, piensa en m Ya ves que venero tu imagen divina Tu prvula boca que siendo tan nia Me ense a pecar Piensa en m Cuando sufras Cuando llores Tambin piensa en m Cuando quieras qutame la vida No la quiero para nada Para nada me sirve Sin ti Piensa en m Cuando sufras Cuando llores Tambin piensa en m Cuando quieras qutame la vida No la quiero para nada Para nada me sirve Sin ti La-la-la-la La-la la-la-la Laaa la-la la-la-la [ Cheers and applause ] [ "Toda Una Vida" plays ] Toda una vida Me estara contigo No me importa en qu forma Ni dnde, ni cmo Pero junto a ti Toda una vida - Toda una vida, s - Te estara mimando Te estara cuidando Como cuido mi vida Que la cuido por ti No me cansara De decirte siempre Pero siempre, siempre Que eres en mi vida Ansiedad, angustia Y desesperacin Toda una vida - Toda una vida, s - Me estara contigo No me importa en qu forma Ni dnde, ni cmo Pero junto a ti No me cansara De decirte siempre Pero siempre, siempre Que eres en mi vida Ansiedad, angustia Y desesperacin Toda una vida - Toda una vida, s - Me estara contigo No me importa en qu forma Ni dnde, ni cmo Pero junto a ti [ Cheers and applause ] -The Austin City Limits Hall of Fame was created to honor the artists who helped build the legacy of the longest-running music program in television history.

- When I was a young girl Well, I had me a cowboy He weren't much... -The one and the only John Prine.

-Mr. Willie Nelson.

-And this is a great honor for me, so thank you very much.

- That was a long time -And this goes out to Stevie.

- No matter how I try -Austin's own Marcia Ball.

-Let's hear it for Flaco!

- Like a broken-down dam -The great Guy Clark.

- Make me an angel -It is my honor to welcome B.B.

King to the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame.

-Lloyd Maines.

- Make me a poster of an old rodeo -Garth Brooks.

- Just give me one thing -Joe Ely.

- That I can hold on to To believe in this living -Sheryl Crow.

- Is just a hard way to go -Alejandro Escovedo.

-Music will save the world, and I truly believe that.

And so I leave you with that thought.

-Ray Charles.

Yeah!

-Tonight we honor the late, great Townes Van Zandt.

-Trisha Yearwood.

[ Cheers and applause ] -So here they are, the one and only Asleep at the Wheel.

-Lucinda Williams.

-This will fit real nicely next to my Grammys.

-Roy Orbison.

[ Cheers and applause ] -Loretta, I'm honored to present you with this award.

-Kris Kristofferson.

[ Cheers and applause ] -I'm honored to be here tonight.

-Rosanne Cash.

[ Cheers and applause ] - I can hear 'em in there buzzin' -Los Lobos.

- And I ain't done nothing -Wilco!

[ Cheers and applause ] - How the hell can a person -Buddy Guy!

- Go to work in the morning -Shawn Colvin.

-The Neville Brothers.

- Come home in the evening And have nothing to say?

-My friend Lyle Lovett.

[ Cheers and applause ] -It is my honor to welcome Bonnie Raitt to the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame.

- Make me a poster of an old rodeo Just give me one thing I can hold on to To believe in this living is just a hard way to go To believe in this living Is just a hard way To go -Millions of music lovers first fell in love with great songs and songwriters while watching "Austin City Limits."

I'm one of those music lovers.

And this next performer is one of those life-changing artists for me and the kind of brilliant singer-songwriter who shines so brightly in that powerful, intimate ACL spotlight.

And in 2019, I'm happy to say she took her rightful place in the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame.

[ Cheers and applause ] Please welcome the amazing Shawn Colvin.

[ Cheers and applause ] -I'm gonna invite someone to join me here on stage and help me sing this song that really needs no introduction, so I'm just gonna have him walk out.

[ Cheers and applause ] Lyle Lovett.

[ "The Facts About Jimmy" plays ] Jimmy is married and he lives down south His wife lives somewhere colder He sees another woman in a badlands town And he cries upon her shoulder Jimmy will tell you he's a helpless man He thinks about love in a vacuum And he won't remember that talk you had When you were walking into the bedroom And he'll say, I don't know why we met The simple truth is always the best C'est la vie, what's done is done And there's somebody for everyone Jimmy has debts and Jimmy has ties He can't get out from under If you look far enough into his eyes It'll rock you just like thunder And Jimmy broke locks and Jimmy broke bolts Just to get himself out from under And when you feel like you're lying in a prison cell It'll kind of make you wonder - And he'll say, it's destiny we met The simple truth is always the best Don't you see what's done is done?

There's somebody for everyone Everyone Well, used to get drunk to get my spark And it used to work just fine Oh, it made me wretched but it gave me heart I miss Jimmy like I miss my wine And Jimmy, if you didn't know by now Well, I'll tell you a thing or two Everybody might have someone But everyone falls in love with you Everyone falls in love with you Everyone falls in love with you And he'll say, you get just what you get The simple truth is always the best Don't you see what's done is done?

And there's somebody for everyone - And you talk about love - You talk about love - Yeah, you talk about love - You talk about love - You talk about love - You talk about love - You talk about love - You talk about love - You talk about love - You talk about love - You talk about love [ Cheers and applause ] -You know, I loved watching "Austin City Limits," and to be on it was huge.

Yeah, I remember what I wore.

I remember I wore the, uh, the guitar strap with all the leather buttons on it.

My sister came up and sang something with me.

It's just an honor to have been a part of this journey, and I'm so glad that I'm here for the 50th.

It's unbelievable, isn't it?

Where did the time go?

-I'm a passionate music fan.

[ People cheering ] And for so many of us, this show has always fueled that passion, not only by introducing us to all sorts of new voices, but also by being a place to reconnect with some of the greatest artists of our times.

Speaking of which, please welcome a truly supernaturally talented singer-songwriter-actor and one of our foremost precious Texas troubadours and a returning Austin City Limits Hall of Famer.

The one, the only Lyle Lovett.

[ Cheers and applause ] -I became a dad for the first time in my life at the age of 59, and I am... [ Cheers and applause ] We have twins, a boy and a girl and I...

But I'm, you know, I've always been aware of our age difference.

And so I made this song up and it was about to be their first birthday.

[ "12th of June" plays ] - Before spring turned into summer After night turned into day They were born a Monday morning In the days just after May In the days just after May - By the branch At San Jacinto Play for me - A happy tune Know of all the days I loved I loved best the 12th of June I loved best the 12th of June But he was strong across his shoulders She was delicate of skin And their mother lay there ashen As we held them to our breasts As we held them to our breasts - By the branch - At San Jacinto - Play for me - A happy tune Know of all the days I loved I loved best the 12th of June I loved best the 12th of June - And all I have - I gladly give them - And all I am - They will exceed And one thing I know for sure Is they improve the likes of me They make a better man of me So to my father and my mother And all our fathers long before There are those who walk above us Who'll remember that we were They will remember that we were And to these beautiful two children And to my sweet and tender wife I will love you three forever Though I fly beyond this life Though I fly beyond this life - By the branch At San Jacinto Play for me A happy tune - And know of all the days I loved I loved best the 12th of June - By the branch At San Jacinto When they lay me in my tomb - Know of all the days I loved And there are so many days I've loved - Of all the days I loved I loved best the 12th of June - I loved best the 12th of June [ Cheers and applause ] Thank you very much.

Thank you, "Austin City Limits."

And it's just thanks to you all that -- and you supported me all these years.

You've given me exposure around the world because of "Austin City Limits."

And I'm -- I'm just grateful.

Every time I've been on the show, it's been special.

What makes "Austin City Limits" special is the way you produce and direct the show.

The production is as invisible as a production can be in a television environment.

It's almost easy to forget that you're being filmed when you're on that stage.

-Since the very beginning, "Austin City Limits" has been a place to discover new artists and even new genres of music.

[ Cheers and applause ] -50 Years of "Austin City Limits."

Austin, Texas, what's up?!

- Hey!

We've done a lot of living We working overtime Don't need another million You got that gold mine I love the way you living Girl, you're so genuine You got that something special Didn't you know?

I just need you, you, you - You, you, you, you - You, you, you [ Cheers and applause ] - And I just can't imagine how you could be so okay -Now more than ever, "Austin City Limits" has become a bucket list must-do milestone for a new generation of young artists.

- About me You said forever Now I drive alone past your street Red lights, stop signs I still see your face in the white cars, front yards Can't drive past the places we used to go to 'Cause I still love you, babe - I'm the bad guy - Duh - I'm the bad guy - Duh I'm only good at being bad Bad -And right now, we're thrilled to introduce one of the most exciting artists, not just in the wide world of bluegrass, but in all of music today.

-Now, he says he was inspired by watching his heroes on "Austin City Limits."

Tonight, he's joined by a celebrated bluegrass legend in her own right.

Please welcome... -Billy Strings and Sierra Hull.

[ Cheers and applause ] -My dad recorded a lot of VHS tapes when I was a kid, and a lot of them were from "Austin City Limits" and a lot of good music, man, a lot of inspiring stuff.

So we're just gonna pick a little number here for you.

And it's called "Soldier's Joy."

[ Cheers and applause ] Thank you.

Sierra Hull, everybody.

[ "Midnight on the Stormy Deep" plays ] - T'was midnight on the stormy deep My solitary watch I keep And think of her I'd left behind And ask if she'd be true and kind I never shall forget the day That I was forced to go away In silence, there my head she'd rest And press me to her loving breast Oh, Willy, don't go back to sea There's other girls as good as me But none can love you true as I Pray don't go where the bullets fly The deep, deep sea may us divide And I may be some other's bride But still my thoughts will sometimes stray To thee when thou are far away I never have proved false to thee The heart I gave was true as thine But you have proved untrue to me I can no longer call thee mine Then fare-thee-well I'd rather make My home upon some icy lake Where the southern sun refused to shine Then to trust a love So false as thine [ Cheers and applause ] -You know what I mean?

Because I'd heard it.

I'd heard Bill Monroe.

And I'd heard Flatt and Scruggs.

And I'd heard a lot of bluegrass growing up.

But I never knew they had these big, cool cowboy hats and everything until I saw the show and was so blown away by just how they look even.

I'm a bluegrass boy at heart, and I'm honored to be out there waving that flag as wide and as high as I can.

You know?

Nothing pleases me more than to be in a big, packed room and to play "Uncle Pen" or something, maybe to some folks who aren't even, you know, they don't know bluegrass very much or something, you know, but spreading the word, if you will.

You know?

[ "Fast Car" plays ] - You got a fast car Is it fast enough so we can fly away?

We gotta make a decision We leave tonight or live and die this way And I remember when we were driving Driving in your car Speed so fast, it felt like I was drunk City lights lay out before us And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder And I-I had a feeling that I belonged I-I had a feeling I could be someone Be someone, be someone - Every tear a waterfall In the night, the stormy night, she'd close her eyes In the night, the stormy night, away she'd fly And dream of para-paradise Para-paradise Para-paradise - Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh - She'd dream of para-paradise Para-paradise Para-paradise - Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh - It's not too late Either way, I lose you in these silent days It wasn't right But it was right on time It's not too late Either way, I lose you in these silent times It wasn't right [ Cheers and applause ] But it was right On time [ Cheers and applause ] -Our next performer is one of the most creative and bold singer-songwriters and composers in music today.

-He first performed on "Austin City Limits" back in 2020, a year when we all very much needed music to keep us connected.

-Tonight, we're so glad this gifted member of the extended ACL family is back to celebrate the show's 50th anniversary and speak powerfully to this moment in time.

-So let's all please welcome... -Rufus Wainwright.

[ Cheers and applause ] -Hello.

Thank you so much.

[ "Going to a Town" plays ] I'm going to a town that has already been burnt down I'm going to a place that has already been disgraced I'm gonna see some folks who have already been let down I'm so tired of America I'm gonna make it up for all of The Sunday Times I'm gonna make it up for all of the nursery rhymes They never really seem to want to tell the truth I'm so tired of you, America Making my own way home Ain't gonna be alone I got a life to lead America I got a life to live Tell me, do you really think You go to hell for having loved?

Tell me, enough of thinking Everything that you've done is good I really need to know After soaking the body of Jesus Christ in blood I'm so tired of America I really need to know I may just never see you again, or might as well You took advantage of a world that loved you well I'm going to a town that has already been burnt down I'm so tired of you, America I'm making my own way home Ain't gonna be alone I got a life to lead America I got a life to lead I got a soul to feed I got a dream to heed And that's all I need Making my own way home Ain't gonna be alone I'm going to a town That has already Been Burnt down [ Cheers and applause ] Thank you.

[ "Hallelujah" plays ] I heard there was a secret chord That David played, and it pleased the Lord But you don't really care for music, do you?

It goes like this The fourth, the fifth The minor fall, the major lift The baffled king composing Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Your faith was strong but you needed proof You saw her bathing on the roof Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you She tied you to a kitchen chair She broke your throne, she cut your hair And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Maybe I've been here before I know this room, and I've walked this floor I used to live alone before I knew you I've seen your flag on the marble arch Love is not a victory march It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah There was a time you'd let me know What's real and going on below But now you never show it to me, do you?

And remember when I moved in you?

The holy dark was moving too And every breath we drew was Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Maybe there's a God above And all I ever learned from love Was how to shoot someone who outdrew you It's not a cry you can hear at night It's not somebody who's seen the light It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah [ Cheers and applause ] The Tosca string section.

[ Cheers and applause ] Yes.

Um, you know, first of all, I mean, it's a great honor to be here.

I grew up -- I am 51 [chuckles] so I'm a little bit ahead of you guys.

But I grew up watching this show, uh, all my life.

The first time I played, uh, was, uh, during the pandemic, and it was one of the -- it was early on in the pandemic, and we did the show with absolutely no audience whatsoever.

And, uh, and, you know, it was still thrilling and fabulous, but -- but, yes, tonight it's -- it's that extra something to actually have people in the room.

The vision that I just had is of me coming back at 101 and playing the 100th anniversary, so I said it here, I'll be here when I'm 101.

It's possible.

So let's see what happens.

-One of the most powerful performances in ACL history was Austin's own Stevie Ray Vaughan.

- Yeah dark clouds are rolling in Man I'm standing out in the rain Yeah dark clouds are rolling in Man I'm standing out in the rain Yeah, flood water keep a rollin' Man it's about to drive poor Stevie Ray insane -His second, final performance was in 1990, just before his death.

- Save the strong, lose the weak Never turning the other cheek Trust nobody, don't be no fool Whatever happened to the golden rule?

We got stranded Caught in the crossfire We got stranded Caught in the crossfire Stranded Caught in the crossfire Stranded Caught in the crossfire [ Cheers and applause ] -As a kid growing up right here in Austin, Texas, our next performer studied many of his guitar heroes, including the late, great Stevie Ray Vaughan, by watching old episodes of "Austin City Limits."

Now he's a global guitar hero in his own right, a gutsy recording artist and a 4-time Grammy winner.

-Joined by lifelong friend and badass Austin guitarist to honor Stevie Ray Vaughan with some double trouble of their own, here's Gary Clark Jr. and Eve Monsees.

[ Cheers and applause ] - True love is gone I's been played for a fool True love is gone I's been played for a fool I'm turnin' the tables on you You been playin' dirty pool - You said you'd call the shots darlin' Yeah All your friends thought that was cool You said you'd call the shots darlin' Yeah All your friends thought that was cool But when you shot at the eight ball baby I knew you were playin' a-dirty pool - They say that life Life is a game of give 'n' take They say that life Life is a game of give 'n' take I'm tellin' you one thing right now little baby I won't be the one to pay for your mistakes Whoo!

-[ Cheers and applause ] Thank you so much, Austin.

It's really a big deal to be here for the 50th.

Because I was a kid 20 something years ago, and I was -- I used to miss out on hanging out with my friends on Saturday nights to sit in front of the television and watch "Austin City Limits."

I'd sit there with my guitar and that was my education.

That was my entertainment.

That was my -- What I hoped to be my friend group, you know, like I want to hang out with these people.

It's "Austin City Limits."

It's where I'm from.

You know, it's like...

This show is...

It gave me purpose.

It gave me hope.

You know, like a place where you want to be.

Like, this was it.

This is it.

The last time I ever played "Pride and Joy" on stage was probably...1998.

Uh, me and my good friend Eve Monsees played that song for our eighth grade talent show.

Shout out to Covington Middle School.

Yeah.

- Well, you've heard about love Givin' sight to the blind My baby's lovin' cause the sun to shine He's my sweet little thang He's my pride and joy He's my sweet little baby He's my little lover boy Yeah, I love my baby My heart and soul Love like ours, it won't never grow old My sweet little thang He's my pride and joy He's my sweet little baby He's my little lover boy - Yeah I love my lady, so long and lean You mess with her, you'll see a man get mean She's my sweet little thang She's my pride and joy She's my sweet little baby I'm her little lover boy Well I love my baby like the finest of wine I'll stick with her until the end of time She's my sweet little thang She's my pride and joy She's my sweet little baby I'm her little lover boy - Yeah, I love my baby My heart and soul Love like ours won't never grow old She's my sweet little thang She's my pride and joy She's my sweet little baby I'm her little lover boy [ Cheers and applause ] -Absolute legendary.

Thank you so much.

We'll see you next time, huh?

[ Cheers and applause continue ]