‘Austin City Limits’ Style Still Evolving After 35 Years

JEFFREY BROWN:

On a recent Saturday in Austin, Texas, over the course of many hours, the equipment was loaded in and instruments set up. Sound system, lights, cameras were ready, as producers made last-minute adjustments, and then the band Pearl Jam took off for what turned out to be a special night for fans and the group.

EDDIE VEDDER, musician:

God, this room here, it's like driving an old Buick. It just… So, if you think we're just going to play maybe one or two more songs, you're wrong. They're going to have to kick us out.

JEFFREY BROWN:

Indeed, Eddie Vedder and the other members of Pearl Jam, one of the world's leading rock 'n' roll bands for almost 20 years, have played in every kind of venue, including huge arenas.

But this night, with a new album atop the sales charts, they played for just 300, an intimate setting with wonderful acoustics on the famous wooden stage of "Austin City Limits," taping a show for the PBS music program's 35th anniversary year, the longest-running music series in American television history.

TERRY LICKONA, producer, "Austin City Limits": But "Austin City Limits" started out as essentially a homegrown Austin and Texas music show.

JEFFREY BROWN:

Terry Lickona has been at the helm for all but the first few years.

TERRY LICKONA:

At the time, the Austin music scene was really beginning to take root. Willie Nelson had moved back to Texas from Nashville. There were clubs were just popping up like mushrooms. And a scene was developing.

Some called it progressive country, as a counterpoint to Nashville. And nobody had any illusions about the show lasting more than maybe a couple of seasons, and it would be a fun ride while it did.

JEFFREY BROWN:

Willie Nelson, a local hero, was the star of the first show and helped define the program.

But Lickona realized that "ACL," as they call it here, had to diversify to build an audience. And, over the years, the show has featured a wide array of talents.