Austin City Limits

-It's the 10th annual Austin City Limits Hall of Fame Honors.

[ Cheers and applause ] A celebration of the artists who've made "Austin City Limits" the longest running music program in television history.

This year, we honor and induct country music singer and songwriter and "ACL" veteran Garth Brooks.

- No ace left in the hole Now I'm much too young to feel this damn old -The Austin City Limits Hall of Fame was created to honor the artists who contributed to the legacy for the longest running music program in television history.

Tonight, we celebrate Garth Brooks.

- I've got friends In low places - Well, this old highway's getting longer It seems there ain't no end in sight -To see him on there, what I see, especially in those early performances, is this excitement and this kind of wonder and this kind of like, "I can't believe I'm here."

You can kind of see it on his face and I love that.

- I called the house, but no one answered -So, there was that sort of mixed impression of him being a little bit nervous, a little anxious, overly polite, but also once he took the stage and took the microphone in hand and started singing with his band, the confidence was just exuberant.

- And the white line's getting longer And the saddle's getting cold Now I'm much too young to feel this damn old We had won CMA Awards, you know.

We had -- we had done well, but my dad thought, "Hey, something's happening with this guy.

when you get to play Austin City Limits, man."

-His first single was "Much Too Young (to Feel This Damn Old)."

And then his first number-1 hit was actually "If Tomorrow Never Comes."

But as successful, as big as those songs were, "The Dance" was the song that just put the audience in a trance.

- How could I have known That you'd ever say goodbye?

-I think that "The Dance" just kind of showcased a different side to Garth and took him to another level.

It really, truly shows the power of a song.

-I think what "The Dance" did was put us in a different light.

Not a -- Not a light that was above anybody else or below anybody.

It just put us in a different light.

But I'd have had to miss the dance When the last child cries for a crust of bread When someone says something is timeless, it's always perceived as a blessing.

But if what you're singing about is turmoil between human beings and it's timeless, it's a curse.

It's a beautiful, beautiful anthem.

And again, behind any song that you dub is great or an anthem, you're going to find a great writer.

This is Stephanie Davis.

...be free, yeah We shall be free Stand straight -It's kind of a song that you can't listen to without feeling a certain pride and just having an emotional reaction to it just because of what it says.

- We're free to love anyone we choose Well, this world's big enough for all different views What I love about "We Shall Be Free" is the constant hope that we're going to figure this out.

-It's a powerful, powerful statement.

It's always appropriate, you know?

So I think that song is probably one of my favorite songs he's ever written and recorded because it's just gotten bigger and more important as the years have passed.

-Let me hear it!

- We shall be free -Oh, yeah!

We shall be free [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] That was for me.

Blame it all on my roots I showed up in boots and ruined your black-tie affair -"Friends in Low Places" had that "Oh, yeah, I've been there."

Everybody felt like they related to that song.

It's such a sing-along, you know.

And if you can find a sing-along like that, then -- then you can do this for the rest of your life.

-It was definitely that kind of song that can fill a stadium and have everybody in that stadium singing along.

But it's also your classic country bar honky-tonk song.

- You'll never hear me complain 'Cause I got friends in low places Where the whiskey drowns and the beer chases my blues away And it's so good because I've seen people that would never, ever sit down at the same table together and get along.

I've seen those exact people with their arms around each other singing "Friends in Low Places."

I've been there before And everything's alright I'll just say good night and I'll show myself to the door -He's been able to write songs and get on a stage and perform those songs to hundreds to hundreds of thousands of people at a time and connect with them, connect with people one-on-one.

That is the true mark of -- of talent.

-And so as much as I am proud of him for his career, and I just hope people will also see that if you ever wonder, "Could anybody be that nice?

Is he really that guy?"

He is.

- Friends in low places Where the whiskey drowns and the beer chases my blues away -I'm a fan, and he's so, so incredibly deserving of this honor.

-You guys have made me feel like I deserve to be there from the very first time I was there.

So I can't thank you enough.

In low places I've got friends [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause ] -Please welcome executive producer of "Austin City Limits," Terry Lickona.

[ Cheers and applause ] -Thank you so much.

This is the first time in the decade-long history of the ACL Hall of Fame that only one inductee is being honored, and there is a great deal to honor tonight.

Garth Brooks has never missed the dance, or the chance to do some good for others and to help the cause of music and the people who make and love it.

-Yeah!

-Whoo!

-Yes, Garth has come a long way since his agent, Joe Harris, called to pitch him for "Austin City Limits."

Back then, Garth had recently released his 1989 debut and was about to break down all kinds of barriers with his second album, "No Fences."

[ Cheers and applause ] Garth was still a relatively new face, but "Austin City Limits" by then was celebrating our 15th anniversary.

Interestingly, one of his heroes, George Strait, had done the show just the year before, and the year that Garth came, Season 15 began with the legendary George Jones, and, besides Garth, included Stevie Ray Vaughan, Waylon Jennings, Lyle Lovett, Guy Clark, and Lucinda Williams.

Not bad company at all.

[ Cheers and applause ] A decade after his "ACL" debut, having enjoyed one of the most historic runs of success ever, Garth returned to open and close our milestone season 25 with two hour-long episodes that were the best kind of bookend.

Another special memory was 2021 when he came back for a solo performance, the final show ever in the historic Studio 6A on the University of Texas campus, that fabled soundstage where "ACL" first began in 1974 and which was our home for 36 years before we moved downtown.

It was then that Garth first told me that he wanted to do something special to help celebrate our 50th anniversary, and we are so thankful and lucky that tonight is that something special.

[ Cheers and applause ] Garth has received, like, every accolade that the recording industry can bestow on an artist -- Grammys, American Music Awards, Country Music Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, World Music Awards, People's Choice Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor and the Gershwin Prize and too many others to name in one speech or even in one night.

But to know Garth is to realize that what he honors the most of all is something less glittery than shiny awards.

Garth goes out of his way to honor his heroes, his friends, his team, those that he loves, and of course, his fans.

[ Applause ] For all the gold records and the multi-platinum prizes that he has earned, I think -- I know what Garth truly values the most is the Golden Rule.

He once said, "Here is my whole marketing idea.

Just treat people the way you want to be treated."

[ Cheers and applause ] He first started making his name not here in Austin, but about 450 miles north of here, singing covers at Wild Willie's Saloon in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

[ Laughter and cheers ] From there, Garth followed his dream and in the process has since become one of the most transformative artists of our times.

His relationship with our show is long and significant, and it says something about his loyalty and his generosity of spirit.

To those of us who treasure "Austin City Limits," that commitment says something meaningful about who Garth really is.

And to think, just one year ago, Garth was here at this event as Trisha Yearwood's plus-one... [ Laughter ] ...her favorite former demo singer... [ Cheers and applause ] ...and her most loving fan of all.

Tonight, that same kid with a dream and a cowboy hat who was backstage last year has somehow managed to ride Trisha's coattails straight into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame.

[ Cheers and applause ] Garth, thank you for your loyalty to "Austin City Limits" and for taking the time in your busy life to keep nourishing this special relationship.

And so it is my great honor to welcome our great and good friend in high and very soulful places, Garth Brooks, to the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame.

[ Cheers and applause ] -Come here.

Give me a hug first.

[ Cheers and applause continue ] Thank you.

Thank you very much.

[ Cheers and applause continue ] Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Very humbling.

Very sweet.

Thank you.

Please, please be seated.

It's, uh -- This has been setting -- This has been setting right inside our front door for a year.

It's Miss Yearwood's.

[ Laughter ] She made sure I saw it every day when we came to the house.

[ Laughter ] Not a statement of humbleness, but a statement of honesty.

There's not an award I've ever been given that wasn't because of God and you guys.

So thank you.

[ Cheers and applause ] Welcome to the most fun I am ever going to have in one night.

[ Cheers and applause ] I can't tell you how excited, and I'm going to tell you why it's so much fun.

One, we -- It's not going to be the traditional way of doing things, which is odd for us to not do things the traditional way.

Truth is tonight is not about Garth Brooks.

It's about the music and the people that made the music as big as it became.

[ Cheers and applause ] But the reason why I'm going to have more fun tonight than any -- You were sweet enough to mention we've been lucky enough to receive the Gershwin Prize and the Kennedy Center Honor.

And can I just tell you, the guilt weighs on you because you're sitting there and you're listening to people talk about you and give you an award that you know the woman that you came there with... [ Laughter ] ...deserves it more than you do because she's more talented, classy, everything.

Finally... [ Laughs ] Ah!

[ Cheers and applause ] I'm going to have a lot of fun tonight, people.

No guilt.

This'll be good.

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Laughs ] Like always, I think anything that is a success and there are few things, and you guys might be too close to see it.

There are few things in this world that are as successful as the TV show "Austin City Limits" just simply because it's timeless, right?

[ Cheers and applause ] And, people, I want you to think about this.

Okay, we're going to do music raw, true.

No smoke, no mirrors.

[ Scoffs ] Ain't going to never work.

Right?

[ Laughter ] For 50 years it's worked.

[ Cheers and applause ] It's not only worked.

It's worked well.

And behind anything that works well, you're going to find a heartbeat.

You're going to find a human that it drives off of right here.

[ Cheers and applause ] I love Terry Lickona.

I love what he stands for.

I love what he believes in.

I feel very lucky to call him my friend.

Anytime Terry -- I see anything from Terry, it's a yes, whatever it is, of course, because this guy does what's -- what's cool.

And can I tell you other artists that I'm lucky enough to have conversations with about "Austin City Limits"?

You can bring all the smoke and mirrors you want.

And trust me, I've used them all, right?

[ Chuckles ] You come here, you're the real deal here.

That's a pretty cool thing.

[ Cheers and applause ] So I've been one of those guys that never cared if somebody mistaked me for the real deal.

I'll accept it.

Right?

So it's -- It's wonderful to get to be a part of this family.

Um, I can't think -- Uh, the crews here, especially the crews over at 6A have always been sweet because, come on, man -- you're a young kid coming in here.

And King George Strait was just here the night before.

And what they do is they treat you like you're heroes.

They're really, really cool.

Everybody's sweet.

Everybody knows you.

Everybody hugs you.

Everybody's been here forever, right?

[ Laughter ] Which is great because looking at that footage, what you're going to see tonight is half the people up here have been here since that first night at "ACL" in the band as well, so it's going to be fun.

[ Cheers and applause ] It's going to be beautiful, and it's going to be exactly what "Austin City Limits" stands for, man.

It's not going to be about the artist.

It's not going to be about fame.

It's all going to be about the music tonight.

[ Cheers and applause ] I think if you're going to do a night of Garth Brooks, I think you have to start at the beginning.

[ Playing intro to "Much Too Young (to Feel This Damn Old)" ] [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause ] This ol' highway's getting longer Oh, this is gonna be a great night!

[ Cheers and applause ] Seems there ain't no end in sight To sleep would be best, but I just can't afford to rest I've got to ride in Denver tomorrow night I called the house but no one answered For the last few weeks, no one's been home I guess she's through with me To tell the truth, I just can't see What's kept the woman holding on this long [ Cheers and applause ] And the white line's getting longer And the saddle's getting cold, yeah Now I'm much too young to feel this damn old All my cards are on the table with no ace left in the hole Now I'm much too young to feel this damn old The competition's getting younger Tougher broncs, you know I can't recall A worn-out tape of Chris LeDoux Lonely women and bad booze Seem to be the only friends I've left at all God bless Chris LeDoux!

[ Cheers and applause ] And the white line's getting longer And the saddle's getting cold Now I'm much too young to feel this damn old All my cards are on the table with no ace left in the hole Now I'm much too young to feel this damn old Lord, I'm much too young to feel this damn old [ Cheers and applause ] [ Laughs, screams ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] I've already talked more than I do an entire show anywhere else.

I just -- I guess I'm nervous, excited, and very, very happy to be here.

I see that you guys know the old stuff, which is fantastic.

Let's just keep on that old-stuff train of thought.

Okay?

Here's a song I hope you remember, a song called we're "Two of a Kind, Workin' on a Full House."

[ Cheers and applause ] Yes, she's my lady luck Hey, I'm her wild-card man Together we're buildin' up a real hot hand We live out in the country She's my little queen of the South You ready to sing?!

[ Cheers and applause ] Yeah, we're two of a kind - Workin' on a full house -Oh, ho, ho, yeah!

She wakes me every mornin' with a smile and a kiss Her strong country lovin' is hard to resist She's my easy-lovin' woman I'm her hardworkin' man, no doubt Yea, we're two of a kind - Workin' on a full house - Yeah, a pickup truck is her limousine And her favorite dress is her faded blue jeans She loves me tender when the goin' gets tough Sometimes we fight just so we can make up Lord, I need that little woman like the crops need the rain She's my honeycomb and I'm her sugar cane We really fit together If you know what I'm talkin' about Yeah, we're two of a kind - Workin' on a full house -Yeah!

Yeah, this time I found a keeper, I made up my mind Lord, the perfect combination is her heart and mine The sky's the limit, no hill is too steep We're playin' for fun, but we're playin' for keeps So draw the curtain, honey, turn the lights down low We'll find some country music on the radio I'm yours and you're mine That's what it's all about Yeah, we're two of a kind Workin' on a full house Lordy, mama, we'll be two Everybody!

- Workin' on a full house -Oh, yeah!

[ Cheers and applause ] Tell me it's gonna be like this all night long!

[ Cheers and applause continue ] [ "The River" playing ] You know a dream is like a river Ever changin' as it flows And a dreamer's just a vessel That must follow where it goes Trying to learn from what's behind you And never knowing what's in store Makes each day a constant battle Just to stay between the shores Ready to sing?

[ Cheers and applause ] I will sail my vessel Till the river runs dry Like a bird upon the wind These waters are my sky I'll never reach my destination If I never try So I will sail my vessel Till the river runs dry Yeah!

Too many times we stand aside And let the waters slip away Till what we put off till tomorrow It has now become today So don't you sit upon the shoreline And say you're satisfied Choose to chance the rapids And dare to dance the tide [ Cheers and applause ] And I will sail my Oh, listen to you!

Till the river runs dry Like a bird upon the wind These waters are my sky I'll never reach my destination If I never try I will sail my vessel Till the river runs dry And there's bound to be rough waters And I know I'll take some falls But with the good Lord as my captain I can make it through them all I will sail my vessel Here we go!

Till the river runs dry [ Rhythmic clapping ] Like a bird upon the wind These waters are my sky I'll never reach my destination If I never try I will sail my vessel Till the river runs dry Yeah!

So I will sail my vessel Till the river runs Dryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] This feels like thunder clouds rolling in.

[ Cheers and applause ] And you haven't even heard a word yet, but you already know, don't ya?!

[ "The Thunder Rolls" plays ] 3:30 in the mornin' Not a soul in sight, yeah The city's lookin' like a ghost town On a moonless summer night Raindrops on the windshield There's a storm movin' in He's headin' back from somewhere That he never should have been And the thunder rolls [ Cheers and applause ] And the thunder rolls Yeah!

[ Cheers and applause ] Every light is burnin' in a house across town She's pacin' by the telephone in her faded flannel gown Askin' for a miracle, hopin' she's not right Prayin' it's the weather that's kept him out all night And the thunder rolls Bring it.

And the thunder rolls Yeah!

The thunder rolls And the lightnin' strikes Another love grows cold On a sleepless night As the storm blows on, out of control Deep in her heart The thunder rolls [ Cheers and applause ] She's waitin' by the window when he pulls into the drive She rushes out to hold him, thankful he's alive But on the wind and rain, a new strange perfume blows And the lightnin' flashes in her eyes And he knows that she knows The thunder rolls And the thunder rolls Yeah!

The thunder rolls And the lightnin' strikes Another love grows cold On a sleepless night As the storm blows on, out of control Deep in her heart The thunder rolls She runs back down the hallway and through the bedroom door She reaches for the pistol kept in the dresser drawer Tells the lady in the mirror, "He won't do this again" 'Cause tonight will be the last time She'll wonder where he's been The thunder rolls And the lightnin' strikes Another love grows cold On a sleepless night As the storm blows on, out of control Deep in her heart Scream it loud!

- The thunder rolls -Yeah!

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Screaming ] Yes!

Yes!

[ Cheers and applause continue ] Yes!

[ Cheers and applause continue ] [ "We Shall Be Free" plays ] When the last child cries for a crust of bread When the last man dies for just words that he said When there's shelter over the poorest head Then we shall be free When the last thing we notice is the color of skin And the first thing we look for is the beauty within When the skies and the oceans are clean again Then we shall be free We shall be free Yeah, sing it with us!

We shall be free, yeah, yeah, yeah Stand straight and walk proud 'Cause we shall be free Yeah When we're free to love anyone we choose When this world's big enough for all different views When we all can worship from our own kind of pew Then we shall be free - Oh, oh, oh - 'Cause we shall be free, yeah, yeah We shall be free, yeah, yeah, yeah Have a little faith and hold out 'Cause we shall be free And when money talks for the very last time And nobody walks a step behind When there's only one race And that's mankind, then we shall be free Oh, oh, oh We shall be free We shall be free, yeah, yeah, yeah Stand straight and walk proud Sing it with us!

- We shall be free -Yeah!

- Oh, oh, oh - We shall be free [ Singing indistinctly ] - We shall be free - Stand straight and walk proud 'Cause we shall be free [ Cheers and applause ] I love this song, the most fun I'll have tonight, a song called "Callin' Baton Rouge"!

[ Cheers and applause ] Yeah!

I spent last night in the arms of a girl from Louisiana Though I'm out on the highway My thoughts are still with her Such a strange combination of a woman and a child Strange situation, stoppin' every hundred miles Callin' Baton Rouge Yeah!

[ Cheers and applause ] A replay of last night's events roll through my mind Except a scene or two erased by sweet red wine And I see a truck stop sign ahead, so I change lanes I need a cup of coffee and a couple dollars change Callin' Baton Rouge Here we go Operator, won't you put me on through?

I gotta send my love down to Baton Rouge Hurry up, won't you put her on the line?

I gotta talk to the girl just one more time Hello, Samantha dear, I hope you're feelin' fine And it won't be long until I'm with you all the time But until then, I'll spend my money Up right down to my last dime Callin' Baton Rouge Yes!

Here we go Operator, won't you put me on through?

I gotta send my love down to Baton Rouge Hurry up, won't you put her on the line?

I gotta talk to the girl just one more time Ca-a-allin' Baton Rouge Sweet Baton Rouge My Baton Rouge Help me out!

- Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh -Yeah!

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] [ Screaming ] Yeah!

[ Cheers and applause continue ] I came in here tonight, and I'll tell ya, I was expecting big things, but you blew past those things on the first song.

[ Cheers and applause ] Thank you for this.

Very sweet.

I hope you love this song as much as I do.

Song was called "The Dance."

[ Cheers and applause ] Looking back Yeah.

On the memory of The dance we shared 'Neath the stars above And for a moment All the world was right But how could I have known That you'd ever say goodbye?

And now I'm glad I didn't know The way it all would end The way it all would go Our lives are better left to chance I could've missed the pain But I'd have had to miss the dance Holding you I held everything For a moment Wasn't I the king?

If I'd only known How the king would fall Hey, who's to say Oh, I might have changed it all And now I'm glad I didn't know The way it all would end The way it all would go Our lives are better left to chance I could've missed the pain But I'd have had to miss the dance It's my life It's better left to chance I could've missed the pain But I'd have had to miss The Finish it.

- Dance [ Cheers and applause ] Let's talk about the keys to entertainment.

The keys to entertainment, first thing, is always newness, always surprise.

It always works in the entertainer's favor.

Where it's hard is to come back time after time and time again and expect it to be as special as it always has been.

People, I think you live here, so I'm not sure you're too close to see it.

"Austin City Limits" is a show that is, all by itself, on this planet.

There is no other place like it.

[ Cheers and applause ] But like I said, behind everything like this is a heartbeat, and that's Terry Lickona, but I also want to say to the people of Austin, as your city grows exponentially faster than probably any other city on this planet, you have remained Austin, and you have remained to keep the music first!

[ Cheers and applause ] I love you guys!

Thanks for treating me like I'm from here.

Aah!

Yeah!

- Ooh-ooh-oooooh Ooh-ooh-oooooh Ooh-ooh-oooooh -Yeah!

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] Terry Lickona talking about a place called Willie's Saloon in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

[ Cheers and applause ] People...

I was there, man.

It reminded of this place, man.

It was always packed.

My God, probably 10, 11 people there every night.

[ Laughter ] Drunk off their ass.

[ Cheers and applause ] You're a 20-year-old kid and you're thinking, "God, if I want to get to do this some point in my life, could I ever be part of a song that everybody knows the words to?"

[ Cheers and applause ] Part of a song that's on every karaoke machine no matter where you're at on the planet, a song they play at every college and professional football game!

People, I don't want to sound egotistical, but I think it might've happened.

I actually do!

[ Cheers and applause ] [ "Friends in Low Places" plays ] Blame it all on my roots I showed up in boots And ruined your black-tie affair The last one to know, the last one to show I was the last one you thought you'd see there And I saw the surprise and the fear in his eyes When I took his glass of champagne And I toasted you, said, "Honey, we may be through But you'll never hear me complain" 'Cause I got friends in low places Where the whiskey drowns and the beer chases my blues away Yeah!

And I'll be okay I'm not big on social graces Think I'll slip on Let me hear it!

- To the oasis Oh, I got friends -Yeah!

In low places Well, I guess I was wrong I just don't belong But then I've been there before Everything's alright I'll just say good night And I'll show myself to the door Hey, I didn't mean to cause a big scene Just give me an hour and then Well, I'll be as high as that ivory tower That you're livin' in 'Cause I got friends in low places Where the whiskey drowns and the beer chases my blues away And I'll be okay I'm not big on social graces Think I'll slip on Give it to me!

- To the oasis - Oh, I got friends Yeah!

In low places [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] Wow!

[ Cheers and applause continue ] Too good, man.

This is just too good.

You do -- In this business, you do interviews all the time, and the main question is, "Is 'Friends in Low Places' your most popular song?"

And I always tell them, "No, it's not.

The most popular song we sing every night is the live version of 'Friends in Low Places.'"

[ Cheers and applause ] I can't explain it, people.

We're doing the Habitat for Humanity thing, right?

With the Carters, there's a guy from Indonesia that comes up and goes, "I know you."

I said, "You don't know me."

He goes, "'Friends in Low Places.'"

[ Laughter ] I said, "Yeah?"

He goes, "Third verse."

[ Cheers and applause ] People, I've been all around this planet.

I can't believe how many people know the third verse.

I know you guys know it.

What do you say let's all sing it together, shall we?!

[ Cheers and applause ] Here we go!

Well, I guess I was wrong I just don't belong But then I've been there before Everything's alright I'll just say good night And I'll show myself to the door Hey, I didn't mean to cause a big scene Just wait till I finish this glass Lift them up!

Then, sweet little lady, I'll head back to the bar Let me hear it!

And you can kiss my ass Well, I got friends in low places Where the whiskey drowns and the beer chases my blues away And I'll be okay I'm not big on social graces Think I'll slip on down Let me hear it.

- To the oasis - Oh, I got friends In low places Now let's all unite and sing it!

- I got friends in low places Where the whiskey drowns and the beer chases my blues away -Yeah!

- And I'll be okay I'm not big on social graces Think I'll slip on down to the oasis Oh, I got friends -Yeah!

- In low places -Yeah!

I got friends in low places Where the whiskey drowns and the beer chases my blues away And I'll be okay I'm not big on social graces Think I'll slip on One last time.

- To the oasis - Oh, I got friends - In low places So, I've got friends In low places [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause ] Yeah!

We love you!

[ Shouting indistinctly ] Thanks from my heart!

[ Laughs ] [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] - Some say she's still alive They'd even claim they've seen her On the shoreline late at night If you go down by the water You'll see her footprints in the sand 'Cause every night she walks the beaches of Cheyenne 'Cause every night she walks the beaches of Cheyenne [ Cheers and applause ]