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The Best Episodes of Austin City Limits

Every episode of Austin City Limits ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Austin City Limits!

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Now the longest-running music series in American television history, ACL showcases popular music legends and innovators from every genre.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Austin City Limits Season 1 Episode 1 - Willie Nelson
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #1 - Willie Nelson

    S1:E1

    The Texas-born singer and songwriter performs in the pilot episode of Austin City Limits shot on October 17, 1974 covering such tracks as Whiskey River, Stay all Night... and Bloody Mary Morning.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Austin City Limits Season 39 Episode 9 - Jason Isbell / Neko Case
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #2 - Jason Isbell / Neko Case

    S39:E9

    ACL presents modern roots rock with Jason Isbell and Neko Case. Isbell performs tunes from his acclaimed LP Southeastern, while Case sings songs from her latest album.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Austin City Limits Season 39 Episode 12 - Sarah Jarosz / The Milk Carton Kids
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #3 - Sarah Jarosz / The Milk Carton Kids

    S39:E12

    Sarah Jarosz performs selections from her 2013 "Build Me Up From Bones" album; the Milk Carton Kids perform songs from their 2013 "The Ash & Clay" CD.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Austin City Limits Season 50 Episode 3 - Maggie Rogers / Gracie Abrams
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #4 - Maggie Rogers / Gracie Abrams

    S50:E3

    Enjoy a hit-filled hour with Grammy-nominated indie pop singer-songwriters Maggie Rogers and Gracie Abrams. Maggie Rogers shines with dancefloor gems from Don’t Forget Me and Gracie Abrams performs standouts from her latest The Secret of Us.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Austin City Limits Season 41 Episode 3 - Sturgill Simpson / Asleep at the Wheel
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #5 - Sturgill Simpson / Asleep at the Wheel

    S41:E3

    Sturgill Simpson performs songs from his 2014 "Metamodern Sounds in Country Music" album, including "Life of Sin"; and Asleep at the Wheel perform songs from their 2015 "Still the King: Celebrating the Music of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys" album.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Austin City Limits Season 40 Episode 11 - Ryan Adams / Jenny Lewis
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #6 - Ryan Adams / Jenny Lewis

    S40:E11

    Ryan Adams and Jenny Lewis perform. Adams spotlights songs from his self-titled 2014 album; and Lewis features selections from her 2014 "The Voyager" album.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Austin City Limits

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  8. Austin City Limits Season 2 Episode 10 - Willis Alan Ramsey / Roy Buchanan
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #7 - Willis Alan Ramsey / Roy Buchanan

    S2:E10

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Austin City Limits Season 4 Episode 13 - Norton Buffalo
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #8 - Norton Buffalo

    S4:E13

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Austin City Limits Season 8 Episode 2 - Roy Orbison
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #9 - Roy Orbison

    S8:E2

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Austin City Limits Season 8 Episode 5 - B.B. King
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #10 - B.B. King

    S8:E5

    “B.B. King personified blues music for the whole world...He was larger than life, but a gentle man with a kind soul and big heart. His ACL performance ranks as one of my personal favorites, and I was never more proud than when he somehow slipped ‘Austin City Limits’ into the lyric of his classic rendition of Willie Nelson’s ‘Night Life.’ We’ve lost a giant.” Terry Lickona, ACL Executive Producer

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Austin City Limits Season 9 Episode 1 - Ray Charles / Lee Greenwood
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #11 - Ray Charles / Lee Greenwood

    S9:E1

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Austin City Limits Season 9 Episode 2 - Jerry Lee Lewis
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #12 - Jerry Lee Lewis

    S9:E2

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Austin City Limits Season 9 Episode 3 - Freddy Powers with Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #13 - Freddy Powers with Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard

    S9:E3

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Austin City Limits Season 9 Episode 4 - Gary Morris / Gail Davies
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #14 - Gary Morris / Gail Davies

    S9:E4

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Austin City Limits Season 9 Episode 5 - The Whites / New Grass Revival
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #15 - The Whites / New Grass Revival

    S9:E5

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Austin City Limits Season 9 Episode 6 - Jimmy Buffett
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #16 - Jimmy Buffett

    S9:E6

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Austin City Limits Season 9 Episode 7 - Johnny Rodriguez / David Allen Coe
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #17 - Johnny Rodriguez / David Allen Coe

    S9:E7

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Austin City Limits Season 9 Episode 8 - Dottie West / Floyd Cramer
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #18 - Dottie West / Floyd Cramer

    S9:E8

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Austin City Limits Season 9 Episode 9 - Bonnie Raitt / The LeRoi Brothers with Ray Campi & Sleepy La Beef
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #19 - Bonnie Raitt / The LeRoi Brothers with Ray Campi & Sleepy La Beef

    S9:E9

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Austin City Limits Season 9 Episode 10 - John Anderson / Eliza Gilkyson
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #20 - John Anderson / Eliza Gilkyson

    S9:E10

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Austin City Limits Season 9 Episode 11 - George Strait / The Kendalls
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #21 - George Strait / The Kendalls

    S9:E11

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Austin City Limits Season 9 Episode 12 - Country Legends
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #22 - Country Legends

    S9:E12

    With Faron Young, Kitty Wells, Sons of the Pioneers, Joe & Rose Maphis, Pee Wee King & Red Stewart, Johnny Wright, & The Collins Sisters

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Austin City Limits Season 9 Episode 13 - Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble / The Fabulous Thunderbirds
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #23 - Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble / The Fabulous Thunderbirds

    S9:E13

    The Texas blues are highlighted on this 1984 episode. Austin's own guitar master, Stevie Ray Vaughn, joins his band to add to his own blues legend. Meanwhile, The Fabulous Thunderbirds are known for their searing rock & roll with roadhouse blues overtones.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Austin City Limits Season 10 Episode 2 - Neil Young and The International Harvesters
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #24 - Neil Young and The International Harvesters

    S10:E2

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  26. Austin City Limits Season 10 Episode 11 - Larry Gatlin / Nanci Griffith
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #25 - Larry Gatlin / Nanci Griffith

    S10:E11

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Willie Nelson" is the best rated episode of "Austin City Limits". It scored 10/10 based on 1 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 1/1/1975. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Jason Isbell / Neko Case".