This stream will only be available live on the day of the broadcast, which dates back to the day Willie Nelson recorded the pilot episode of “Austin City Limits” half a century ago. Don’t despair if you miss the full live stream, highlights of the special will air later on PBS.

“ACL’s 50th anniversary will be broadcast live on the Long Center lawn.”

The in-person performance will be an outdoor celebration on the Long Center lawn, promising breathtaking views of the Austin skyline behind the legendary musicians. Willie Nelson and Co. need no introduction, but for those of you unfamiliar with Asleep at the Wheel, they are a long-running Texas swing group that appeared in the first episode of the first season of ACL in 1976. They were the first band to open Austin. Since its inception in 2002, the City Limits Music Festival has been held every year (except one).

Both Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel were inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame, with Nelson playing in more episodes than any other artist at age 18 and the supergroup making 11 appearances. No wonder the bronze statue of Willie Nelson guards the studio’s entrance on its namesake boulevard.