Austin City Limits' 28th Season Showcases Innovators In American Music

Market Wire, 20050229

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS presents the power and passion of live music on PBS this Fall with a new season starting October 5 (check local listings) featuring an electric one-hour performance from Bonnie Raitt and special guests. The show The New York Times calls "the standard bearer for music on television" returns for its 28th year, exploring new musical territories with diverse artists ranging from Norah Jones to Chris Isaak and from Jackson Browne to Beck.

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS has a long history of bringing the nation the best in American music. The series' pilot episode featured Willie Nelson and aired on PBS stations across the country in 1975. Today, AUSTIN CITY LIMITS is the only showcase for American roots music of all genres on television.

"It's roots music, it's country music," said Producer Terry Lickona. "It's rock, blues, bluegrass, folk, Latino, jam bands, virtuoso pickers, world-class singers and songwriters. It's authentic, original American music. Doesn't matter where it comes from, whether it's old or new. It's music for people who won't accept bland boundaries and stereotypes. We even stretch the limits sometimes to include our musical neighbors to the north and south or Brit cousins to the east. It's eclectic, but it's accessible. It moves you. It makes you think; sometimes it makes you cry. Sometimes you get up and dance. It's music for all ages."

Each week on PBS, AUSTIN CITY LIMITS presents original American music from pop to blues, bluegrass to alternative rock, mountain roots to psychedelic jams and much more.

The series has long been one of the few broadcast outlets on national television to present innovators in Hispanic music. On October 12, AUSTIN CITY LIMITS presents the first theatrical production in the show's history with "By the Hand of the Father." This special production features selected songs and stories of the unique 20th century journey of the Mexican-American father from the stage production of the same name, with music by Alejandro Escovedo and featuring Rosie Flores and Ruben Ramos.

The new season will also include legendary artists Alison Krauss + Union Station performing songs from their newest release and the O Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack followed by the West Texas country sounds of The Flatlanders -- Joe Ely, Butch Hancock and Jimmie Dale Gilmore -- on October 19.

Rounding out October are appearances by East L.A. band Los Lobos -- performing songs from their newest release, Good Morning Aztlan -- and Grateful Dead legend Bob Weir and his jam band RatDog. This episode airs October 26 (check local listings).

Other highlights this season include performances by pop visionary Beck, sultry songstress Norah Jones, blues-rock bad boy Chris Issak, legendary singer/songwriter Jackson Browne in a rare television appearance, alternative rock's next big thing Ben Kweller, mountain music icon Ralph Stanley, and Led Zeppelin-ex Robert Plant.

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS is a production of KLRU-TV, Austin, Texas. Funding for AUSTIN CITY LIMITS is provided in part by Chevrolet, Schlotzsky's, Michelob Light and the Austin Convention Center Department.

PHOTOS AND PREVIEW VIDEO TAPES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

HYPERLINK www.pbs.org/austin