On this date in Country Music History – October 17th, 1974 – a Texas tradition was born when very first episode of Austin City Limits was filmed, with none other than Willie Nelson and Family as the inaugural guests.
At the time, no one could’ve guessed that this little PBS pilot would grow into the longest-running music series in television history. But Willie’s laid-back charm, tight band, and unmistakable outlaw energy set the tone for everything that followed.
The pilot episode was such a hit that PBS officially picked up the show, cementing Austin’s reputation as the “Live Music Capital of the World.” Over the decades, Austin City Limits has hosted a who’s who of music legends, from George Strait and Stevie Ray Vaughan to Kacey Musgraves and Tyler Childers, but it all started with one Red Headed Stranger and a simple idea: let the music speak for itself.
Fun fact: That very first taping took place inside UT Austin’s Studio 6A, where folding chairs and free beer helped create the easygoing vibe that became the show’s signature.
Watch the Pilot Episode below:
0:00 Intro
2:10 Whiskey River
5:32 Stay All Night, Stay A Little Longer
9:20 Bloody Mary Mornin’
12:51 Up Against The Wall Redneck Mother
15:30 Okie From Muskogee
18:38 Funny How Time Slips Away
21:02 Crazy
22:43 Devil In A Sleeping Bag
24:13 Phases and Stages Theme
24:28 I Still Can’t Believe You’re Gone
28:32 It’s Not Supposed to be That Way
30:35 Good Hearted Woman
33:57 Pick Up The Tempo
36:27 Will The Circle Be Unbroken
40:07 When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder
42:31 Mountain Dew
44:57 A Song For You
48:24 The Party’s Over
49:41 Nelson Family Jam
55:02 Rollin’ In My Sweat Baby’s Arms
57:40 Outro
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