ACL has featured performances from a wide variety of artists, including:
* Willie Nelson
* Emmylou Harris
* Bob Dylan
* Bruce Springsteen
* The Rolling Stones
* Paul Simon
* U2
* Radiohead
* Coldplay
The show has also been a launching pad for many new artists, such as:
* Lyle Lovett
* Lucinda Williams
* Sheryl Crow
* Dixie Chicks
* The Black Keys
* Sturgill Simpson
ACL is taped at ACL Live at the Moody Theater, a 2,750-seat concert venue in downtown Austin. The show's format is simple: each episode features a live performance by one artist. The performances are typically taped in front of a live audience.
ACL has won numerous awards, including:
* 12 Grammy Awards
* 10 Emmy Awards
* 2 Peabody Awards
The show has also been inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
ACL is a cultural institution in Austin. The show has helped to put Austin on the map as a music destination. It is a must-see for any visitor to Austin.
Here is a timeline of some of the key events in the history of ACL:
* 1974: ACL debuts on KLRU. The first episode features a performance by Willie Nelson.
* 1975: The show moves to a new studio at the University of Texas at Austin.
* 1976: ACL begins to tape episodes in front of a live audience.
* 1978: The show wins its first Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard's performance of "Pancho and Lefty."
* 1981: ACL moves to its current home at ACL Live at the Moody Theater.
* 1984: The show celebrates its 10th anniversary with a special episode featuring performances by Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, and John Prine.
* 1994: ACL wins its first Emmy Award for Outstanding Cultural Programming.
* 1999: The show celebrates its 25th anniversary with a special episode featuring performances by Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Paul Simon.
* 2004: ACL wins its first Peabody Award for its coverage of the 2003 Austin City Limits Music Festival.
* 2009: The show celebrates its 35th anniversary with a special episode featuring performances by Radiohead, Coldplay, and U2.
* 2014: ACL wins its second Peabody Award for its coverage of the 2013 Austin City Limits Music Festival.
* 2019: ACL celebrates its 45th anniversary with a special episode featuring performances by Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, and Bob Dylan.
ACL is a living testament to the power of music. The show has brought some of the world's greatest artists to Austin and shared their music with millions of viewers around the world. ACL is a true American treasure.