Celebrate Garth Brooks’ Iconic Performance in the 50th Anniversary of Austin City Limits
Mark your calendars for a spectacular event! Austin City Limits Hall of Fame Honors Garth Brooks is set to premiere on May 3 at 8 p.m. ET. This special episode, recorded live at the renowned ACL Live venue in Austin, Texas, features a full hour of Garth Brooks delivering some of his most beloved hits while sharing captivating stories that inspired those songs. This is a remarkable opportunity for fans and newcomers alike to experience the magic of live music and storytelling that is synonymous with the Austin City Limits legacy.
Garth Brooks first graced the Austin City Limits stage in 1990, shortly after his groundbreaking self-titled debut album was released in 1989. This album included timeless country anthems such as “The Dance” and “If Tomorrow Never Comes.” A decade later, he made a memorable return to the series, showcasing his evolution as an artist by opening and closing the show’s milestone season 25 with two unforgettable hourlong episodes, further cementing his legacy within the country music scene.
The upcoming special will not only feature Garth Brooks’ extraordinary performances but also highlight memorable moments from his previous appearances on Austin City Limits. The episode will include special appearances by Brooks’ wife and fellow country music star, Trisha Yearwood, along with Terry Lickona, the longtime executive producer of ACL, who will formally induct Brooks into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame. Notably, Yearwood was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023, alongside the legendary John Prine.
In reflecting on his career, Brooks stated, “You can bring all the smoke and mirrors you want, and trust me—I’ve used ‘em all,” adding, “but you come here and it’s the real deal.” He emphasized the importance of associating with greatness, saying, “Always try to associate your name with a name greater than your own. Being associated with Austin City Limits has been one of the greatest assets of my career. I can’t thank Terry and the gang enough for all the years and all the love.” His heartfelt appreciation for the platform speaks volumes about his commitment to authenticity and excellence in the music industry.
Terry Lickona remarked, “You can’t tell the story of Austin City Limits without Garth Brooks. Garth gets it. He understands what makes Austin City Limits unique, and why it’s a significant honor for an artist to perform on that stage and deliver the best performance of their life. It’s also an honor for us to share that stage with artists like Garth, who have so much to contribute.” This sentiment highlights the deep connection between artists and the cultural impact of ACL on the music scene.
This year is particularly significant, marking the 50th anniversary of the cherished Austin City Limits music institution, which originally premiered on PBS in 1975. Since its inception, the ACL Hall of Fame has recognized artists who have played a pivotal role in the series’ evolution as a leading platform for outstanding music. The inaugural awards in 2014 celebrated icons such as Willie Nelson and Stevie Ray Vaughan, setting a precedent for honoring extraordinary talent.
In 2021, Garth Brooks took part in two exclusive non-broadcast events on Austin City Limits to commemorate the closing of Studio 6A on the University of Texas campus. These performances were particularly poignant as they marked the final shows at this historic studio, which served as the home of Austin City Limits until 2010, before transitioning to its current location in downtown Austin. This connection to the venue adds another layer of significance to Brooks’ relationship with the show and its legacy.
