FULL CONCERT (ACL Pilot October 17th, 1974) Willie Nelson and Family

Willie Nelson recorded the original pilot episode of Austin City Limits on October 17, 1974. At the time, no one could have predicted that the fledgling music show from Austin, Texas, would still be around and delivering great performances decades later. The shows obvious lack of production, slickness, and attention to audio detail pleased the notoriously TV-shy Nelson. As a result, the success of the show moved ACL to turn into a series. And so the odyssey began.
First off, I know this has been requested by MANY and I am truly sorry it took this long to get uploaded. This is the full first episode of the series and it is rare as hen's teeth. This show is just not accessible to the everyday Willie fan and I'm here to change that. This is Willie Nelson and Family at the beginning of their prime and it just doesn't get any better than this. ACL did a great job of making you feel as if you were right there watching with everyone. You can feel the electricity of the crowd when Willie finishes his amazing solo during "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" at 38:17. A new sound that no one has heard before. Just brilliant. Hope you enjoyed as much as I did!
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
2:10 Whiskey River
5:32 Stay All Night, Stay A Little Longer
9:20 Bloody Mary Mornin’
12:51 Up Against The Wall Redneck Mother
15:30 Okie From Muskogee
18:38 Funny How Time Slips Away
21:02 Crazy
22:43 Devil In A Sleeping Bag
24:13 Phases and Stages Theme
24:28 I Still Can't Believe You're Gone
28:32 It’s Not Supposed to be That Way
30:35 Good Hearted Woman
33:57 Pick Up The Tempo
36:27 Will The Circle Be Unbroken
40:07 When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder
42:31 Mountain Dew
44:57 A Song For You
48:24 The Party's Over
49:41 Nelson Family Jam
55:02 Rollin' In My Sweat Baby's Arms
57:40 Outro
All Rights Reserved To PBS and Austin City Limits.

[@tedbartley1358]

If you went to a Willie concert back in those days you damn sure got your money's worth! Saw him several times in the late 70s and 80s!

[@tylerperry6862]

Crazy to think that Paul, Bobbie, Bee, and Jody are no longer with us. Of the folks on that stage, only Willie and Mickey are still alive - and still touring together.

[@rodan2852]

The real deal. His own music, in his own way. Man that is what America needs to get back to.

[@JohnnyCBCS]

💯

[@TheMoose5]

@@JohnnyCBCSthere's plenty of that around. You just have to get away from the radio BS

[@JohnnyCBCS]

@@TheMoose5 don’t worry, I listen to my own music on my own terms just like most everyone else these days. The Internet is so much better than any radio.

[@TheMoose5]

@@JohnnyCBCSmy bad, I meant to respond to the other guy

[@JohnnyCBCS]

@@TheMoose5 it’s totally ok, man 👍. I like your attitude and how you’re pointing people to the right music

[@jaimeat1268]

October 17, 2024 will be 50 yrs!!!!

[@jerradcampbell74]

Thanks for the reminder, I was born just two weeks prior to this.😢

[@Andybandy]

That Drum solo at about 50 minutes was NUTS

[@maurosergiomunhoz]

THE BEST COUNTRY SINGER OF ALL TIME, THANKS WILLIE

[@lizabethmercer]

Bravo the mouth harp!

[@sidv192]

How does this not have over a million views???

[@VintageWillie]

one day it will if PBS doesn't take my channel down for the 4th time ;(

[@helencarson4680]

The best Willie Nelson concert ever❤

[@stephenkatko3236]

Yup...1974 was a year of pure magic for the Outlaws.

[@jqentertainment6966]

Seeing him in May in Duluth, MN while he is the ripe age of 91

[@melissahamilton8238]

Me too😮

[@charlesshepherd2004]

Early 70s. Willie and Grateful Dead. Some of the best music we may never get again.

[@direwolf6234]

oh lordy .. thankfully there are tapes .. best dead years 70-74 ...

[@katmandew2152]

hey , he opened for the dead at Giants stadium. I was there.

[@user-se1zd1cg6c]

Thank god for or archives 💘😻💜💛💛💚🧡💘😻💜💛debbie

[@leeolson539]

This concert is why Willie is in the rock and roll hall of fame

[@avalondreaming1433]

RIP Bobbie Nelson. 😢

[@danjohnson4082]

There's Willie in his element at the prime of life...

[@PaulSalden-kf6fb]

He's still in the prime of life😄

[@codym8897]

Willie Nelson’s 1974 performance at KLRN wasn’t just a great concert. It was a historical moment. This was the pilot episode of Austin City Limits, a show that’s gone on to become a beloved American tradition. If you aren’t familiar with Willie Nelson’s music, this is a great concert to start with. If you’re a music fan, the birth of Austin City Limits should be an important date in your memory. It aired on 34 PBS stations back on March 22, 1975, and the pilot episode featured a 42-year-old Willie Nelson. The show’s been on ever since, and this pilot episode with Willie Nelson is a great place to start watching, if you’ve never seen it. If you’re a fan of country music or music in general, you’ll want to watch this video. It’s from 1975, the year Freddy Fender’s “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” hit number one, the king of western swing, Bob Wills, passed away, and Canada’s K.D. Lang wrote her first song at the age of 14. It was also the year the VHS tape was invented in Japan, and Captain & Tennille won a Grammy for “Love Will Keep Us Together.” And that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what was happening in music that year. The video is a performance on Austin City Limits by Willie Nelson, which later became the pilot episode of the series.👍

[@grahamothen]

Unreal.

[@merleinaustin]

A gift to Austin and to the world!

[@NoStasis]

Modern Country music lost that drummers wearing capes swagger. Willie really was an Outlaw. ❤

[@VintageWillie]

Ain’t nothing like it.

[@krisptaco]

What an amazing country we lived in and life we lived back then. We had dreams and hope for the future.

[@VintageWillie]

Amen

[@finacastany5021]

Moltes gràcies Willie, des de Catalunya.

[@mikefitch6392]

Trigger was red hot that night and that drum solo was sick!

[@Lonesomecowboyblues]

Super backing band

[@VintageWillie]

The Nelson Family!

[@kurtmadison9517]

Trigger looks brand new!

[@jerradcampbell74]

My thoughts exactly. 😅

[@jimdent351]

50 years later Trigger is just as weathered as Willie is but they're both still going strong.

[@mikefitch6392]

Damm that was a phenomenal show!

[@nealbacon7798]

Remember watching this on our PBS channel. Made me a Willie fan forever.

[@martyalbershardt8314]

This is gold.

[@stephenkatko3236]

Dynamics like no other band ever!! Mickey's on fire, too!

[@leonardportableaudio2683]

Happy 90th Birthday Willie

[@classicrock71]

Willie was 41 here.

[@BuddyWillis]

a young man

[@lizabethmercer]

One of the best musical venues of all time,IMHO.🎺🎷🪕🎸🎻🎹❤❤❤❤

[@troybuchanan9980]

Willie is Eddie Van Halen! Shredding on Trigger!

[@AudioFileZ]

Whoa! This is awesome stuff. Everyone looks like themselves, uh, as practically children (though i might now have recognized Bee :) )! Everything that makes ACL great is right here from the very birth. Great performers, great songs, laid-back intimate atmosphere, and killer sound. This is my best discovery of 2024 by far here on KZbin. Mega thanks to the poster. BTW...look how small that hole is at this stage in Willy's Martin. It's already done some miles but has an unbelievable amount of time left to serve.

[@toddschultz2264]

We all need to say a prayer for that guitar. If something should happen to it… if for some reason Willie should live more years than Trigger… it would be a true tragedy.

[@kitano0]

Thank you for everyone that made this possible to watch on YT...a historic milestone!

[@MarcusDelGreco]

Perhaps the ultimate country/hip reckoning show.

[@sandpointcinema7557]

That guitar lead at 27 minutes is absolutely vintage Willie. Damn can he coax some melody out of that old ax.

[@toddschultz2264]

I’m still in awe that what you called an “old axe” in 1974 still put out some good licks in the 2023 90th birthday concert. 😂

[@mikefitch6392]

Phenomenal band

[@edp2260]

Pure gold.

[@user-ex3fv6oc5u]

Miss them

[@BobBenham]

Thank you for uploading this vintage historic treasure of Willie and the band! A real treat : )

[@DavidSmith-pe1qe]

Look how young Trigger was .

[@duckduckgoismuchbetter]

Looks less busted here. And so does Willie, lol.

[@jeanyoungblood2970]

He's always been the best.

[@PonziZombieKiller]

God bless Willie and the Band.

[@eretzproject5240]

gotta love willie no choice

[@karmenjazbec7743]

YEAH YOU FOLKS ARETHE BEST

[@jackbeam5751]

The Austin city limit shows are always amazing. Must be something special there. Waylon Jennings shows amazing jerry lee lewis show amazing Merle Hagard show amazing....

[@user-gh4ws2fk1r]

Holy shit this is amazing. The best footage ive ever seen. My friends and I were at this show higher than a kite. We missed the memo on it being a "formal" show.

[@VintageWillie]

That’s the only to do it! I bet that was a core memory for yall.

[@user-se1zd1cg6c]

Amazing if u don't love willie something wrrg❤❤❤❤debbie

[@pierfrancescoferrari6418]

Ciao Nelson, anche da noi in Svizzera sei apprezzato per la tua musica. Chissà che un giorno io non vengo a trovarti in Texas.

[@jerradcampbell74]

I was just less than 1 month old when this aired😮

[@stevewalter1090]

I was 10 but didn't get into him until I experienced consistent radio exposure.

[@champ8899]

Just like one big HAPPY family with all the spirit of love and harmony.So beautiful!!!!!!!!!

[@danekemp1220]

Greatest concert of all time.

[@jkkisme]

this is one of the greatest clips I've ever seen on youtube

[@VintageWillie]

Doesn’t get better than this!

[@Nllb1111]

Oldie but Goidie❤❤❤

[@ScottyPLane]

Wonderful energy on display by Willie, the band, and the crowd. Everything is authentic. Great to hear Willie sing on time with the music. This is the best I've ever heard Willie and the Family.

[@williamclark6233]

Im only 32, but ive been to around 10 Willie Nelson's picnics and they were always tons of fun. Love this footage too. Bobby sounds great, RIP

[@neighborsjason]

Willie starting it all ACL legend

[@lostrailbeds8289]

The one and only Willie!!! What a treat to watch and enjoy this KZbin special show! Thanks to all involved who brought this gem to us!!

[@Nllb1111]

Willie, you take this Great song to a WH Hole new dimension with your magical vooic❤❤❤❤❤❤❤my arms are Jody waiting.

[@1978garfield]

Wow! This is treasure. Thanks for sharing! I love this era of the Family so much. I had no idea Jody or Bee could sing. Willie's band of this era is/was so underrated. So much talent.

[@VintageWillie]

Truly a relic. It’s so vintage and the Family was full of energy. Probably my favorite concert ever! Glad you enjoyed

[@sharonvance4460]

Jody could definitely sing- got his "My First Album" from 1980- especially like "Living With My Dreams That Let Me Down".

[@lisaclayton5824]

Loved the sound checks❤

[@zeezed2338]

FANTASTIC!!! Thank You!

[@user-se1zd1cg6c]

Remiinds me of grateful dead show so cool❤❤❤❤debbie

[@cal2780]

Willie❤❤❤❤So hot! I've always loved you Willie!

[@THERTOGAL]

Saw Willie and Dylan tour in 2008 or so as they toured California. Great day and show!

[@Nllb1111]

You can hold me forever.

[@ConnorHolsteinmusic]

You got about the best account on the internet

[@VintageWillie]

Amen to that!

[@bumblethebeadle3504]

Love ya Willie!

[@davidmatela9868]

The Zen Master at work

[@mikefitch6392]

Great backstory thank you for sharing

[@nitehawk-de8fy]

Rock hard

[@mikefitch6392]

Damn that was awesome! Thank you for the back story as well! Very interesting. Austin was responsible for Willie's breakthrough and ultimately his success starting with the ultimate Red Headed Stranger album.

[@1369Doc]

Man, Trigger was so young back then..........

[@VintageWillie]

5 years old 😆 A baby!

[@duckduckgoismuchbetter]

​@@VintageWillieTrigger looks less busted here. And so does Willie, lol.

[@bicarbonateyoda3205]

Thanks so much for this historical upload. Amazing!

[@VintageWillie]

Of course. I am here to bring justice for what is right:))))) this should NEVER be hidden from public eye!

[@joshuathomas4568]

Thank you for liberating this show!! I had it as an MP4 years ago

[@psychofoxtv1]

Very good. How are you baby? I’m crazy for thinking that my love could hold you.

[@diggingblacksmith]

Just great. Thank you

[@VintageWillie]

Of course! More to come!

[@cousinadam5157]

Willie’s tribute to Leon Russell (played solo no less!) literally moved me to tears 😂

[@hudson2861]

Check out the video of Willie and Ray Charles doing this song at a Leon Russell tribute kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIa6ZXiCort3b68

[@jimsmidlifeadventures]

Wow! This show was the year before I moved to austin from houston to attend UT for 5 years. Austin was such an epic place then and there were so many fantastic musicians there. Willy was at the top. To be able to see him and other great bands in laid back venues indoors and out made those years of my life some of the best ever. Thanks for posting this amazing video - thanks for the memories!! Keep on rockin Willie!!

[@VintageWillie]

This was actually recorded at UT. Pretty cool!

[@maskedmofomike]

I love these good old jams

[@__bam]

This is so damned good. Willie is the face of Americana and one of the GOAT's. This video is truly an historic landmark in music history of all genre's. Thanks for posting and you gained a new subscriber here.

[@guilhermebahia6050]

Willie is the face of Country! The hell with this americana thing

[@karmenjazbec7743]

YEAH WILLIE YOU HAVE A NICE FAMILY I LIKE YOUR LONG HAIR I HAD THE SAME COLOUR TILL I HAVE NOT TURNED GRAY NOW I HAVE SILVER HAIR LIKE LEON RUSSELL YEAH WILLIE I HOPE THAT YOUR HEALTH IS BETTER YOU ARE A LEGEND AND I LIKE TO LISTEN TO YOU

[@brianmarcum8306]

I am loving it!

[@michaelstockberger5991]

Thank you. Austin has changed so much…. it’s really nice to step back into those days….

[@VintageWillie]

It really has! This Austin has my heart

[@user-se1zd1cg6c]

I swear we related from side looks just like my dad❤❤❤debbie

[@direwolf6234]

oh yeah .. in the beginning there was the 'shotgun willie' and the light shone across the prairie .. hard to believe it was 50 years ago .. and here we have the genesis that led the way ...

[@williamjoshualucas6503]

This is.... astonishing.

[@williamjoshualucas6503]

I don't think i'd ever heard Willie & Co. do "Up Against the Wall." Man, great upload.

[@VintageWillie]

@@williamjoshualucas6503 this show was one of a kind my good friend!

[@jeffpecker]

the red eyed stranger

[@rhobodub]

My heart belongs to Willie and his greatest band. 💘

[@mmess8585]

Wonderful!! A true treasure!!

[@konstantinkolev4204]

Great, great musician...🎉 19:08 🥰🤩

[@PaulSalden-kf6fb]

This is wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

[@rickallen6378]

What a find.

[@aidenstobaugh3686]

Astonishing😯

[@mousiebrown1747]

This is so great! Thanks for posting!❤

[@sandpointcinema7557]

What a treasure. Thanks so much for posting this.

[@ChangingTides777]

Thanks for the timestamps, no one!

[@VintageWillie]

In the video description!!

[@joshuabolton1783]

This is awesome!!! First got to see em in the 90s just secured my ticket to see em with Fogerty and am super super stoked 🤘

[@henrybegler7370]

damn this channel rocks, thanks for all these uploads. willie forever 🤙

[@user-ex3fv6oc5u]

Miss Willie

[@joelmaqueira4851]

SO MANY THANKS FOR THIS!

[@VintageWillie]

You’re so welcome!! More shows like this coming. Willie had a guy tape most of his shows in 74-75. In contact with him

[@joelmaqueira4851]

@@VintageWillie If it's ok, I downloaded it and shared it elsewhere. I gave you full credit, of course.

[@VintageWillie]

@@joelmaqueira4851 don’t even want the credit! This is for the PEOPLE and you can do whatever your heart pleases with it! For all I care you could say you recorded it in 1974 ;)!

[@joelmaqueira4851]

@@VintageWillie THANKS!

[@collincolston8443]

Was there a better time or music than this?

[@cal2780]

Ah! Willie said "alright, alright, alright" before Matthew McConaughey 😊