Exec. Producer Terry Lickona: Musings About Music
Austin City Limits ? Changing with the Seasons
Every so often we?ll get an email from a long-time ACL viewer expressing displeasure with a recent episode or the ?direction? that the series has taken in recent years. The general theme of these emails is ?what?s happening to Austin City Limits??? Have we lost our focus? Why are we booking these young rock bands or indie artists who, in their opinion, can?t sing, can?t play a musical instrument, and basically have no talent?
Ironically, of course, we also receive many more emails praising these same acts, thanking us for having them on, and asking us to book more of the same.
One person?s sugar is another?s poison. When it comes to music tastes, we all have different opinions. But because we genuinely respect the opinions of our viewers ? especially those who have been watching for many years, if not decades ? we want to get back to that question: ?What?s happening to Austin City Limits???
In most respects, not much has changed about our basic approach to talent ? presenting an eclectic mix of all sorts of musical styles, genres and generations. Even in the first 10 years, the bookings ranged from Austin classics like Asleep at the Wheel and Jerry Jeff Walker to Tom Waits, Ray Charles, Roy Orbison, Neil Young and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
For a 35+-year-old music show to not only survive, but thrive, it must also evolve. ACL has never been only about celebrating our roots or the past; it?s as much about celebrating the present and the future. ?Discovery? of new, emerging talent has always been a part of our mission.
When a show like ours presents music from hip hop to country, Americana to jazz, indie rock to classic rock, bluegrass to blues and everything in-between, it?s inevitable that most viewers will like some of it more than others – although it?s great that most of our fans seem to share our eclectic tastes. If you occasionally don?t like some of the shows you see, we hope you won?t throw your remote control at the TV in disgust and swear never to watch again. I can almost guarantee that you?ll find something to your liking if you keep coming back to join us on this great musical journey that?s approaching four decades.
That being said, we welcome any suggestions you have about who you would like to see on ACL in the year ahead. Thanks to our Twitter followers for all their ideas?feel free to send us yours!
TERRY LICKONA
executive producer
AUSTIN CITY LIMITS
Yonder Mountain String Band please!
We represent Nashville roots rock rising star singer/songwriter/guitar slinger/Violap player Trevor Finlay. A performer with a unique style and a new release “en route”, we certainly hope that Trevor will get the opportunity to share his talents with ACL fans in the very near future.
We congratulate you on your amazing achievements and having such an ecclectic line-up proves that you are growing with the times and keeping an open mind about the amazing talent that is out there.
Thank you for that!
Please consider inviting Silversun Pickups to ACL. They are fantastic live, and their music is both powerful and poignant. Recently nominated for a grammy, they are beginning to be appreciated and I am sure they will be well received. Thank you for your consideration and asking for fan input.
Sincerely,
John Howell
Please help educate the nation that great blues guitarists aren’t all over 65, or stopped being made after SRV passed away.
Please put Eric Tessmer on your program.
Help wake this world up.
Great blues guitar playing hasn’t died; it is doing quite well, actually. Tessmer is IT.
It would really be great to see some of the people that don’t tour anymore. Someone like J.J. Cale would be perfect.
I love all the rock bands and want to see more of them on ACL. Alice in Chains or Soundgarden would be a fantastic follow-up to this season’s Foo Fighters and Pearl Jam. I also love the international music and the singer songwriters though and would love to see some young musicians on the show. Christina Courtin, Sara Bareilles, Adele, Bon Iver, and Yael Naim all come immediately to mind. Keep up the good work!
book the dead weather. no one can deny their greatness. austin’s own black joe lewis deserves a showcase, too. another tom waits show, please. the strokes would be badass. jerry lee lewis is going to be in town in may. he’d be perfect for a taping.
Johannes Linstead is so very interested in performing in Austin!! Told me he has heard some amazing things about this city. For those that aren’t familiar with him, he is a dynamic maestro of the guitarra. His music is fiery, passionate, and lively! He is backed by his band, all world-class musicians from all parts of the globe. Musical genre; Latin/Acoustic/Jazz
Johannes Linstead would be an excellent choice to perform at Austin City Limits!!!!
Please add Paul Thorn to next seasons lineup. He and the band have such a great time that everyone has a great time. To Paul Thorn fans, this is a no brainer!
Paul Thorn Band would be a bodacious addition to the lineup for next season. Most original band around with real downhome attitudes and fantastic music. Paul Thorn knows how to write a song and his band is just azz-kickin fun.
Jumping on that Paul Thorn bandwagon- he’s completely underappreciated.
Thanks so very much for the hour of Allen Toussaint. That was just precious. In my opinion, and in so many ways, the closest thing to perfection in a one-hour concert.
And, its too bad that the Avett Brothers couldn’t have had the whole hour…
Would just like to throw a vote in for The Nadas…they’re a fantastic band with great, loyal fans!
I’d also love to see The Nadas. They have a fantastic, almost haunting sound, and tremendous stage energy. I live in Milwaukee, but still follow this band from my time in grad school in Iowa.
Would like to vote for The Nadas as well. Awesome band — still follow them even though we’ve moved from Iowa. Not only amazing music, but great show to watch! Love how they connect w/their fans!
The Nadas
The Nadas.
The Nadas!
The Nadas!
The Nadas. Great new Cd out tomorrow. Something on it for everyone !!
My vote’s for The Nadas. They’re a great band and put on a super fun show. My four girls especially love to sing along to “River” and “Templeton Rye”. Music for all Ages.
Cheers!
The Nadas would be an excellent choice. They’re a great talent out of the Midwest that delivers an awesome live show.
The Nadas! Love them. Love your show.
Love to see The Nadas! Great group with a great show!
I happened on to Austin City Limits one night many years ago and caught a guy named “Jonny Lang”. I was immediately hooked on him and the great music that your show promotes. That being said, I would highly recommend “The Nadas”. I’ve been following them for over 10 years and would love to see them hit the stage on Austin City Limits.
Please check out the Nadas. They’d be great on ACL!
The Nadas would be a great addition to Austin City Limits. They are a great band with a very close following. I’ve been going to their shows for 11 years. Jason, Mike and the rest of them are a very talented and hard working group of guys.
The Nadas would be a great add!!
I’m with all of the above. The Nadas. New CD at midnight tonight: thenadas.com/almanac
Do everyone a favor and book The Nadas on ACL ASAP.
Not to get repetitive
but I would love to see The Nadas on ACL, too! You’ve got to hear their new CD!!
The Nadas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My vote goes to The Nadas for a new addition!
The Nadas would be awesome on ACL!
Bring The Nadas to ACL!
The Nadas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Nadas–please! They are fabulous
Bring the Nadas to ACL and please broadcast on PTV!!!!
Please oh please give The Nadas a listen
Bring on the NADAS!!
Nadas!!!
Apparently The Nadas are an option
I would suggest The Alternate Routes from Connecticut. I’ve seen them a half-dozen times, and they are great musicians. Also, Carbon Leaf from Virginia and The Trashcan Sinatras would be cool. I got a kick out of Them Crooked Vultures that was on the other night on MPT. I wouldn’t worry – most of the time, the musicians you choose are interesting. They may not be everybody’s favorite, but they’re somebody’s favorite. I like the range of acts, for the most part. Not too many losers on the ACL list.
I have to say The Nadas are a must!
The Nadas please! I have been a fan for over 15 years and would love to see them on a national venue. You won’t be disappointed!
The Nadas!
The Nadas would be a perfect choice and have been putting on fantastic live performances for years!!!
Please consider The Nada’s from Iowa to be on ACL. They are very talented and great songwriters. They would fit in perfectly and make us Iowa ACL fans proud!
The Nadas are so deserving of a national audience! Any band with such a loyal fan base (as you can see!)must be awesome!
The Nadas are perfect ACL. Book them now!!
The NADAS. Great songwriting and stage presence.
The Nadas por favor!
I have been following the Nadas for over 15 years since my college days in Iowa and they are awesome! I have lived in Austin for over 10 years and I haven’t had the opportunity to see a live ACL show and would love it if you had the Nadas on. They are an amazing band. I have to say that every time we go to their shows in Austin I walk away having met a new friend, onetime I even met an old childhood friend. Amazing!
Let me join the chorus for The Nadas. I’ve followed them for over 10 years, and I’ve yet to take anyone to a show who left disappointed.
If there are more deserving bands out there, let me know.
The Nadas – From Des Moines, IA…they are one helluva band!
The Nadas!
Of the five years I spent in the Austin area I’ve seen dozens of bands. I’ve never seen one that gives a better, more genuine live performance.
These are talented guys who draw an honest connection with their audience whereever they find themselves.
The Nadas, Des Moines IA
The Nadas, please! They put on a great show!
Hope you picked up your new cd from The Nadas ~Almanac~ that dropped today . tunes on there to please everyone. “Drink It Till It’s Gone” Is my personal favorite !!
John, you said:
“Of the five years I spent in the Austin area I?ve seen dozens of bands. I?ve never seen one that gives a better, more genuine live performance.”
About who are you writing?
Mr. Bradley, thanks for your comments – we’re glad you’re finding stuff to enjoy on the show. And thanks for your suggestions – I personally second the idea of the Trashcan Sinatras.
Cory Branan – as the lead in to Robert Earl Keen on 8/4 – a new take on the roots of ACL. One of the best songwriter performers you’ve probably not heard of…he’ll kill.
I had to laugh a little when I read this article, because it reminds me a bit of myself: “What’s happening to modern music?” I hate to break the news to the viewers who have questioned the direction of ACL, but YOU’RE GETTING OLDER! And at least for me, that fact sometimes reveals itself as a lack of appreciation for newer styles/artists who I don’t feel a connection with. The older I get, the more I realize and TRY to appreciate the talent and value of almost all genres of music and styles of art. I want to be open-minded enough to realize that just because it’s not my taste doesn’t mean it isn’t beautiful to someone else. So even though I sometimes just have to change the channel, I do appreciate that ACL tries to be inclusive and eclectic in its approach. What a boring world (and show) it would be if we all liked exactly the same things.
Oh, and my suggestion would be, Missy Higgins!
My suggestion for ACL is get “Moot Davis” a real honky tonker. You won’t be sorry.
The Features are a band that have been around for years but never get the respect and appreciation here in the states that they deserve. They have a great following over in the UK and in their home state of Tennessee. If you do look into The Features, I would be interested to know what your and Leslie’s opinions are. I grew up watching ACL and I think your team does a wonderful job mixing up the different genres of music. I’ve also had the privilege of going to a taping and it was one of THE best music experiences I’ve ever had. Thank you and keep up the good work!
My suggestion would be the incredible JOE BONAMASSA.
At age 8 he opened for BB King
At age 12 he was playing in clubs.
Now a grown man he is on top of his game and one of the best.
Joe Bonamassa was named “Best Blues Guitarist” in the Guitar Player Magazine’s 2007 Readers’ Choice Awards.
The annual Awards are 100% reader-nominated and reader-voted, making the honorees a true representation of talent widely respected by guitar music fans in the know.
“The New King of Blues” – Guitarist Magazine
“Right now, there’s no better Blues-rock artist than Bonamassa”- Gibson.com
?Bonamassa is a bold talent.? ? Billboard
?Wicked guitar thrills.? ? Mike Joyce, Washington Post
This guy deserves to be in the same class with Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck.
An inspired live performer who plays over 100 dates annually. He’s also a great guy who gives back to the arts, he is the youngest member of the Memphis, TN-based Blues Foundation’s Board of Directors, and is one of the foundations foremost spokespersons for their respected Blues In The Schools program. In a 2006 Guitar Player piece he said, “I want to help younger musicians understand how today’s music is related to stuff that was popular a long time ago.” He will be playing on March 24, 2010 at the Paramount Theatre. Let me know if you would like to check him out. http://www.jbonamassa.com/
love the old, love the new, excited about the future.
Calvin Russell
Thank you so very much for the Allen Toussaint show. One of my all-time favorites. And I’d like to suggest the combination of Shelley King with the Subdudes.
How about a little jazz fusion. Perhaps some bass influence, i.e. Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, etc. Or a little NOLA influence, i.e. The Meters
For fuck’s sake, stop posting about the fucking Nadas. No one gives a shit about your fucking friend’s awful band.