Frisco, Texas Welcomes Country Music Legend Garth Brooks
Frisco, Texas, is buzzing with excitement as country music superstar Garth Brooks prepares for a special honor this week. He will be inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame on Thursday, September 5, as part of the show’s celebration of its 50th anniversary. This milestone marks half a century of what is known as the longest-running music series in American television history.
Garth Brooks Expresses His Gratitude
In a statement, Brooks expressed his feelings about the honor, saying, “To be part of anything Austin City Limits is and always has been an honor. I am humbled and grateful to not only be a part of the 50th Anniversary, but to be inducted into the ACL Hall of Fame is over the top.”
A Star-Studded Ceremonial Event
The induction ceremony will take place at the Moody Theater, the current hub of ACL Live, produced by KLRU-TV. Brooks will take the stage for a performance along with his band at this sold-out event. For those who can’t attend, there’s good news! Fans will have a chance to see Brooks’ full induction during a special hour-long broadcast of Austin City Limits Season 50 set to air on PBS on September 28.
Brooks’ Longstanding Relationship with Austin City Limits
Garth Brooks has a rich history with Austin City Limits, having made his first appearance on the show back in 1990. He returned a decade later to headline the show’s 25th season, featuring in two hour-long episodes. More recently, in 2022, he performed at two non-broadcast events to mark the closing of ACL’s original broadcast studio, Studio 6A, located at the University of Texas at Austin.
Record-Breaking Achievements
Brooks is recognized as the No. 1 selling solo artist in U.S. history, with an astonishing 162 million album sales, as certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His impressive list of accolades includes the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor and the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Additionally, he has received nine Diamond Awards from the RIAA and has been named CMA Entertainer of the Year seven times.
The Legacy of Austin City Limits
The pilot episode of Austin City Limits was filmed on October 17, 1974, and it premiered on PBS in the following year. Since the establishment of the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame in 2014, legendary artists who have left a mark on the show have been honored. Brooks will join over 20 other artists who have been inducted since the Hall of Fame’s inception, including icons like Willie Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughn & Double Trouble, Loretta Lynn, Ray Charles, B.B. King, and Trisha Yearwood, who happens to be Brooks’ wife.
First Time for One Inductee
This year’s ceremony brings a unique twist as it marks the first time that only one inductee will be honored during the event’s decade-long history. This makes Brooks’ induction even more special as the ACL family celebrates not just its past but a bright future.
A Celebration for All
The upcoming event is more than just an honor for Garth Brooks, it’s a celebration of country music and live performances that have touched countless lives. The faithful followers of Brooks and ACL alike are sure to cherish this occasion for years to come.
