New tour experience offers backstage look at 50 years of Austin City Limits TV show
Editor’s Note: The above KXAN video details how the Austin City Limits TV show is digitizing its series archive.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The longest-running music series in television history is opening up its doors and archives like never before. As Austin City Limits gears up for a milestone 50th season, ACL Live at the Moody Theater and Austin PBS are welcoming fans for a brand-new, behind-the-scenes experience.
A look inside Austin PBS’ Austin City Limits TV show, and how all 50 seasons are being digitized
Guided daytime tours will begin Tuesday, Oct. 1, and run six times daily, seven days a week. Fans can walk the same halls as the biggest names in music, from Willie Nelson, to Lyle Lovett and Sheryl Crow, according to a press release.
“With the launch of the new and improved tour of ACL Live, where our legendary Austin City Limits television series is recorded, we’re offering fans an even more immersive experience,” Luis Pati?o, CEO of PBS Austin, said in a press release. “Together, we’re not only honoring the rich history of American music but also creating new opportunities to connect with younger audiences, ensuring this legacy continues to inspire for generations to come.”
Tours will start at 3TEN, weave backstage, and even into the control room for the series. From unmatched moments captured by longtime official ACL photographer Scott Newton to an interactive timeline and video, the tour brings together a half-century of music history, leaders said.
“We are honored to celebrate Austin City Limits’ 50th anniversary with this fan-forward experience,” Patrick Moore, CEO of Opry Entertainment, said in the release. “This partnership combines our expert knowledge of creating dynamic tour offerings in iconic venues with their vast collection of memorabilia and imagery to bring another dimension to the Austin City Limits story.”
Garth Brooks inducted into ACL TV’s Hall of Fame
The experience wraps up with a photo opportunity in front of the original ACL skyline, a simplistic set piece from Studio 6A at the University of Texas that became synonymous with the show.
Tickets are available now for $20, and admission is free for children 12 and under.
ACL returns to the airwaves on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. with a performance by Kacey Musgraves, her third appearance on the show in the past decade. The show’s golden season boasts a star-studded lineup, including Chris Stapleton, Jelly Roll, The War And Treaty and Gracie Abrams.
The tour is part of a “broader” $60 million investment by Opry Entertainment in Block 21, ACL Live at the Moody Theater and Austin PBS, the release said.
Abigail Jones contributed to this story.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.