Willie Nelson, Chris Stapleton Anchor Back Half of Austin City Limits 50th Season

Much lauded live music series Austin City Limits is leaning outlaw as it celebrates the second half of its 50th anniversary broadcast season.

Six new episodes will begin airing on PBS at 7 p.m. CT on January 11.

Performers include a slate of Grammy-winning favorites as well as ACL first-timers who will help punctuate Austin City Limits’ half-century celebration.

Proud Texan Willie Nelson & Family will close the series on February 15.  Norah Jones and Hurray for the Riff Raff will kick it off on January 11, and Chris Stapleton,  The Avett Brothers,  Sturgill Simpson presents Johnny Blue Skies and Carín León and Mickey Guyton will anchor the shows in between.

“Austin City Limits has stood the test of time, and our 50th season says it all,” said executive producer Terry Lickona in a statement. “It’s a full circle moment, with Willie returning to the stage 50 years to the day since he recorded the original pilot. For me, that was the most emotional moment of the entire past 50 years.”

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Willie Nelson is ACL’s Most Frequent Performer

There may be no Austin City Limits without Nelson. Nelson, an Austin City Limits Hall of Fame member, has appeared on the series more than any other performer. He taped the pilot episode for Austin City Limits in October of 1974. The station said yes to the series, and Austin City Limits premiered on PBS in 1975.

Nelson filmed his new episode outside at Austin’s Long Center with Austin’s skyline in the background.

ACL, which refers to itself as “the house that Willie built,” is now the longest-running music series in television history.

A two-hour primetime television special will cap the 50th anniversary celebration in April. Austin-based actors Jared and Genevieve Padalecki will host the all-star event that will be rich with memorable entertainers, including Leon Bridges, Gary Clark Jr., joined by Eve Monsees, Billy Strings featuring Sierra Hull, Indigo Girls, Lyle Lovett, Shawn Colvin, Brandy Clark, Rufus Wainwright, The Mavericks, Ángela Aguilar and more.

Austin City Limits airs weekly on PBS stations (check local listings). Full episodes are available to stream online at pbs.org/austincitylimits immediately following the first broadcast.

Season 50 Broadcast Schedule (Second Half):

January 11 Norah Jones | Hurray for the Riff Raff
January 18 The Avett Brothers
January 25 Mickey Guyton | Carín León
February 1 Chris Stapleton
February 8 Sturgill Simpson Presents Johnny Blue Skies
February 15 ACL Presents: Willie Nelson & Family
April 4 Austin City Limits Celebrates 50 Years

(Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for Shock Ink)