If 40 seasons of Austin City Limits has proven anything, it's that KLRU knows how to put on a show. On Thursday night, the local PBS station threw a talent-packed party to pay homage to the landmark TV series' history-making run. Show alum Sheryl Crow and Jeff Bridges hosted the musical magic at ACL Live at the Moody Theater, that featured rare duets and collaborations the sold-out audience devoured.
Coined as an "All-Star Benefit Concert," the lineup was packed full of some of the biggest names in music — all of whom have appeared on Austin City Limits. Among the musicians on the bill were Bonnie Raitt, Alabama Shakes, Kris Kristofferson, Robert Earl Keen and Gary Clark Jr. Rock and blues legend Raitt kicked the night off with "Wrap It Up," with an assist from Jimmie Vaughan, Gary Clark Jr. and Alabama Shakes lead singer Brittany Howard.
It was a magical night that showed why after 40 seasons, Austin City Limits is still a beloved and ground breaking series.
Kris Kristofferson honored ACL with a performance that included a duet of "Me and Bobby McGee" alongside Sheryl Crow. Crow's co-host Bridges, Alabama Shakes and Gary Clark Jr. rounded out the first half of the show. In a touching moment, Bridges honored the late Stephen Bruton, an influential Texas musician, by performing "Fallin' & Flyin'" (co-written by Bruton) from the movie Crazy Heart. Howard showed the unreal power of her vocals performing "Heartbreaker" and "Gimme All Your Love" with her band, while Gary Clark Jr. channeled Stevie Ray Vaughan with a lengthy version of "Bright Lights."
The second half of the concert saw a who's who of Texas talent, including Grupo Fantasma, Jimmie Vaughan, Robert Earl Keen, Joe Ely and Doyle Bramhill II. Grupo Fantasma got the audience dancing with their Latin funk sound and full horns section, while Vaughan and Raitt treated the audience to a playful rendition of "The Pleasure's All Mine." Raitt also garnered laughter and cheers from the audience when she said, "When I think of Texas, I don't think of Rick Perry. I think of Clifford Antone!"
With Clark on guitar and Crow on harmonica, their duet on "Freight Train" was one of the evening's highlights. Crow shared memories of her first Austin City Limits appearance in 1997, saying doing the show was when she realized, "I've made it."
And what would a night of Texas music be without an appearance from Robert Earl Keen? A little more than three hours into the taping, Keen jolted the audience to its feet and had everyone dancing and singing along to "The Road Goes on Forever" followed by "I Gotta Go" (backed by the Grupo Fantasma horns).
The wonderful night of music was put on with the help of musician/producer Lloyd Maines, who assembled the all-star band that backed most of the performers. At the end of the evening, ACL Executive Producer Terry Lickona presented Maines with the fifth spot in the first class of ACL Hall of Fame inductees, saying Maines "represents what the best of ACL is all about." Maines holds the distinction of appearing more times on Austin City Limits than any other musician, debuting on the show in 1978 with Joe Ely.
To end the evening, all of the performers returned to the stage to sing Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away." The performance was a fitting end to a magical night that showed why after 40 seasons, Austin City Limits is still a beloved and groundbreaking series.
---
Thursday night’s show followed an April induction of the first class of ACL Hall of Fame honorees — Willie Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, Darrell Royal, and show creator Bill Arhos (and now Maines). Austin City Limits holds the honor of being the longest-running music series in American television history. Its 40th season premieres on PBS on October 4.
If you didn’t manage to catch them live, you can see Thursday’s captivating performances as part of a two-hour primetime special, "Austin City Limits Celebrates 40 Years," airing October 3 on PBS. The special also includes performances from the April Hall of Fame induction. And check the Austin City Limits website to enter your name into a drawing for tickets to attend the remaining 40th seasons tapings, including Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, White Denim, Thao & the Get Down Stay Down and Eric Church.
Jeff Bridges
After winning Saturday’s sprint race, Max Verstappen qualified for pole position and would go on to win the 2025 USGP on Sunday.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso headed toward turn 11 on Sunday. The Spanish legend qualified for P10, finishing in the same position and earning a single point.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The Austin, Texas mural wall along the Main Grandstand was a favorite spot for photos.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The grand plaza lake and "Welcome to Texas" sign are easily the biggest targets for a selfie.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Ferrari driver Charles LeClerc makes his way to the garage before Saturday morning’s Sprint Race. The Frenchman currently sits at 5th place in the driver standings.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Despite losing his seat with Red Bull this season, Mexican hero Checo Perez was still represented around the track. Good news for Checo fans, though: he returns to the track next season with his new team, Cadillac.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Race day brings out the stars in the paddock and it wouldn’t be an Austin event without the omnipresent Matthew McConaughey, who visited several of the team suites on Sunday.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Unlike Saturday’s sprint, which saw several crashes, turn one went without incident as Max Verstappen maintained his lead and Lando Norris gave up P2 to the charging Ferrari of Charles LeClerc.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Is it even a US F1 race if the Ferrari Pope isn’t there? The famous Ferrari fan was brought onstage at the Champions Club on Friday by Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The Circuit of the Americas' newest roller coaster, Circuit Breaker, was in demo mode this weekend. Riders got to preview the attraction months before COTALand opens sometime in 2026.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
British legend Lewis Hamilton made his first appearance at COTA in the unfamiliar red of Ferrari, after switching over from Mercedes after 12 years and seven world championships.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
With the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders away this year, the Houston Texans, who were on a bye week, sent theirs two hours west to help celebrate the pre-race festivities on Sunday.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Mercedes driver George Russell waves to the fans in the Main Grandstand before embarking on the one-lap drivers’ parade.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Ukrainian model and Stake Sauber guest Mariia Lavrukhina was seen in the paddock on Sunday.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Attendees who were looking for something to do to kill time between racing events on Saturday were treated to exciting Lucha Libra matches.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Lance Stroll's Aston Martin car was damaged after the Canadian driver crashed into Haas driver Esteban Ocon during Saturday’s sprint race.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
First-year Williams Racing driver Carlos Sainz biked back to the team suite with girlfriend Rebecca Donaldson by his side. The Spanish driver lost his seat at Ferrari last year to Lewis Hamilton.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Cowboy boots and \hats were all the rage this year.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
McLaren CEO Zak Brown and Lando Norris entertained some VIPs at the team’s suite shortly before the race on Sunday.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The Dutch Royal Air Force provided the pre-race flyover prior set to the national anthem on Sunday.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur and Alpine team principal Flavio Briatore share a few friendly words before Saturday’s sprint race. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The Turn 1 Grandstand was full of Ferrari red and McLaren orange.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The calm before the storm looking up the turn one hill. The climb in elevation is 305 feet, the same as the height of the Statue of Liberty from feet to torch.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The pit wall personnel proudly supported their nationality with a glistening Mexican flag.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The entire 2025 USGP grid finishing lap one and beginning lap two.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Network writer Amber Heckler captures a shot of Max Verstappen standing atop his Red Bull car after winning the 2025 USGP.Photo by Amber Heckler
The crowd rushed the podium for the trophy presentation, fighting for the best viewing position.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Verstappen’s Red Bull and his degraded soft tires, which the team put on after his sole pit stop. The Dutch driver started the race on mediums, like most of the drivers on the grid.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and Charles LeClerc finished the race in first, second, and third respectively. The traditional podium celebration saw the top three drivers and the winning driver’s engineer spraying Moet on each other. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
That’s a wrap on the 2025 USGP in Austin, Texas. F1 and COTA announced an extension on Friday that will keep the race in town until at least 2036. See you next year!Photo by Daniel Cavazos