Nanci Griffith on Austin City Limits "Once In a Very Blue Moon"

From her 1985 Austin City Limits, Nanci Griffith performs "Once in a Very Blue Moon." Lyle Lovett joins on background vocals.
Enjoy an hour of late Texas singer/songwriter legend Nanci Griffith’s best Austin City Limits performances. Premieres February 12, 2022. Watch on your local PBS station or stream following the broadcast at pbs.org/austincitylimits
About Austin City Limits
Austin City Limits (ACL) offers viewers unparalleled access to featured acts in an intimate setting that provides a platform for artists to deliver inspired, memorable, full-length performances. Now in its 47th Season, the program is taped live before a concert audience from The Moody Theater in downtown Austin. Austin City Limits is the longest-running music series in television history and remains the only TV series to ever be awarded the National Medal of Arts. Since its inception, the groundbreaking music series has become an institution that’s helped secure Austin’s reputation as the Live Music Capital of the World. The historic KLRU Studio 6A, home to 36 years of ACL concerts, has been designated an official Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Landmark. In 2011, ACL moved to the new venue ACL Live at The Moody Theater in downtown Austin. ACL received a rare institutional Peabody Award for excellence and outstanding achievement in 2012.
Austin City Limits is produced by Austin PBS, KLRU-TV and funding is provided in part by Dell Technologies, Workrise, the Austin Convention Center Department and Cirrus Logic. Additional funding is provided by the Friends of Austin City Limits. Learn more about Austin City Limits, programming and history at acltv.com.

[@SarahJonestoo]

Gone three years ago today. Rest well Nanci x

[@marksantostefano1637]

I was so sad to hear of her departure. She was one of my favorite vocalist, and seemed like such a sweet person.

[@Despiser25]

Dont smoke.

[@SarahJonestoo]

@@Despiser25 Despicable comment for you to lob in here amongst people who are still feeling the loss of someone important to them.

[@LyonsArcade]

She is so deceptively good. Most people would sing this song so sweet and pretty, but that's kind of easy and fake... she sings it with her own voice, it has almost a SLAP in it, she has such a cool voice... I guess it has a heavy Joan Baez influence, but the way she just goes from softspoken lines, to kind of swelling up into a nice, strong, 'slap' of a belt on some of those lines is just so well done. Nothing seems fake, she seems completely sincere, and she's not trying to sound a certain way, she just has a ton of energy in all of her vocals, it's never boring and just wakes you up, even if it's a slow, soft song like this. What an incredible talent she was. Effortless, too.

[@RoyalMalen]

Whoever walked out on this angel with an equally angelic voice had to be nuts.

[@JC-sd3vh]

I never liked Country music. Then this angel appeared and I would crawl over broken glass to see and hear her.

[@Despiser25]

Its more Folk music than country but she crossed over well.

[@JC-sd3vh]

@@Despiser25 Agreed...is it OK to still hate Country then? :)

[@Despiser25]

@@JC-sd3vh lol.

[@ednguyen3822]

She looks so young here! My favorite folk/country singer of the past 35 years!

[@masondaring]

Nanci was a friend - every now and then I listen to this, especially if I need a good cry.

[@meranae]

Listening to you today is as good as 32 years ago. Beautiful songbird.

[@stevensmith743]

Lyle Lovett backing Nanci. The early 80's music scene in Austin was magical.

[@WasabiWaits4No1]

Is that Lyle? It sure looks like him!

[@MagicalMukhina]

So talented in everyway and sadly was never given all of the respect she deserved. I miss you Nanci - you left a great body of work. ❤

[@Eduardo-om5ex]

She was very respected by her fans and peers…

[@chadlove3443]

I love you Nanci Griffith. After having discovered you just months ago, I have listened to you almost every day. Your voice fills me with beauty.

[@krisscanlon4051]

Beautiful woman and talent...mmmmm miss her.

[@joshuacorrington153]

I always loved this woman's voice. Was bummed hearing of her passing 3 years ago. Not a guilty pleasure either, I'm a flag waving fan of this great talent. And I'm a heavy metal musician

[@Killroy76]

Also sitting and listening to her with tears in my eyes

[@kristoffe123]

I can't believe so someone so beautiful lived... it breaks my heart tonight.

[@bobholtzmann]

Nanci's music still rings loud and true for me - I hope she's doing well in heaven.

[@Britishrailer]

Love you Nanci. We miss you.

[@tamilapp4944]

Oh my goodness I miss her so much! 😢 This is absolute perfection!

[@johnthegreek5836]

I love Nancy Griffith’s voice and music, it’s sad we lost her so young, I’m so glad she left her music for us to always enjoy

[@Johnmell100]

What a very very talented artist she was.

[@chuckmenefee3573]

Totally underrated always made the song fit her style and did it well!

[@tim10243]

I am not a big fan of live recordings. But Nanci Griffiths live alum "One fair summer evening" will be on my personal top 10 all the time! This song is on that albim too.

[@toddsavage3111]

Thinking of her on this very blue moon

[@Ronald60202]

The great Lyle Lovett sang backup here. He worked with Griffiths in the mid 80s.

[@cardswithcrystals6294]

I never realized that-at least that I can recall. I was glad to see him here.

[@drrjim]

My goodness, Do you hear that gal singing pitch perfect harmony? The way she comes in on the second "once in a very blue moon" and only sings "moon" It's perfect !

[@featherstar1000]

yes!! I loved the energy between her and Lyle adding the perfect accompaniment!! Goose bumps!!!

[@ubnsrvd]

Her name is Denise Franke.

[@fionasands5273]

I loved this lady and was fortunate enough to see her live in the UK..sadly missed

[@johncordes7885]

1 voice= choir of angels

[@jimblack5596]

This is the video that introduced me to Nanci. It played on the short lived Nashville Network. I was mesmerized and instantly became a life long fan. RIP Nanci and thanks for your music.

[@joshuacorrington153]

Wasn't short lived. The Nashville Network was around for years before it became spike TV and now Paramount.

[@charlesking5328]

I'm 70 and wonder why I haven't heard her until today, she's awesome

[@HungryH1951]

@@charlesking5328 It could be because she never had any big hits on the radio and if you weren't into folk and country in the 80's and 90's she could have escaped your attention. The closest thing she had to a hit song was From a Distance (written by Julie Gold) which did get some air play about 1989 but it never became huge. That is until Bette Midler had a giant hit with that song. But Nanci's albums were really good, even though no big hits came from them.

[@solobo5823]

I still love you Nanci Caroline Griffith💔

[@lovapanda1]

Angel. Beautiful. I had a roommate in college in about 1985 who insisted I got with her to see her at a small intimate venue in Santa Cruz. I was floored.

[@bobbywolff1274]

wish I was there... RIP

[@Despiser25]

I was a 20 yr old perusing the TV and clicked through PBS by accident and this was the episode that was on. I immediately recognized her talent and have become a lifelong fan. I remember going through the TV guide hoping this episode would re-air and it never did. Thankfully someone else recorded it and put it on the youtubes. One of the most talented under the mainstream radar singers ever.

[@chuckmenefee3573]

Did the audience realize how privileged they were seeing and hearing her sing in person?

[@11UncleBooker22]

Thanks to ACL we have these wonderful gifts to enjoy.

[@Mars-hb5jt]

Fabulous. Phillip Donnelly on electric guitar, Mark O’Connor on fiddle and Roy Huskey, Jr. on bass.

[@mattday870]

What a voice, what emotions. Love you forever Nanci...

[@HungryH1951]

Such a good singer, such a pretty woman. And a fine musician. She was just great.

[@centuriesofblood]

The greatest female folk song writer.

[@prahseguod]

I fell in love with her and her voice the minute I first heard her back in the mid-80s. I was blessed to catch three of her shows. She was what I needed in my life while she was here among us. She's still what I need today.

[@gerilimehouse5635]

i saw her three times also. loved her so much and still listen to her a lot.

[@MagicalMukhina]

Yes same here - well said.

[@GeeBee909]

I trust ACL to release a blu ray containing all of Nanci's ACL appearances. Come on kids don't let us down

[@steveking5402]

She was an amazing singer, songwriter and great in person. I did notice a very young Lyle Lovett singing background.

[@TrowMattoon]

God, she makes my eyes leak every time.

[@JohnDavis-xk5fi]

One of my favorites. I was so shocked and saddened when I heard she had passed away.

[@jimwebb9328]

What a great group of musicians. Roy Husky Jr on bass, Philip Donnelly on electric guitar, Lyle Lovett singing backup, and I think that's Mark O'Connor on fiddle. I don't recognize the others but they're all excellent!

[@freetickeys]

I always loved her voice and songs. All my heroes are dying.

[@AunCollective]

Tom Waits is hanging in there for me. It's depressing how many albums of musicians no longer with us I own, and I'm still somewhat young.

[@gregoryschultz3803]

She had a voice like an angel. One of the very best to ever do it. Much love, Nancy.

[@tedjohnson-nv4rr]

One of the best!!!

[@kristoffehutchings7017]

I'm with you raisincain100... I love her so much... forever

[@debramichigan1356]

very first time I heard or saw her…right here. This song. This dress.

[@kmccabe1962]

Dearly missed

[@davidnettles2101]

One of the best. Such a sad loss.

[@gregrisley1050]

What a great voice and songwriter. Such a loss to lose her and John Prine in these past few years.

[@ericbenjamin487]

When I first discovered her, she opened for John Prine in Berkeley

[@mikefowler2417]

OMG...so true. National treasures.

[@mikefowler2417]

OMG...John and Nanci both gone. Tears after tears.

[@tomoconnor7229]

and THAT'S when I fell in love with Nanci

[@paullie56]

You and me BOTH!

[@user-qt4dy3kr3n]

Yup, agreed

[@stevensmith743]

Sometimes angels walk among us. Nanci was just such an angel. God bless her.

[@TinsTins]

Love her music. Miss her

[@kelverde]

Wait! Is that Lyle Lovett singing backup vocals to her right?

[@japark85]

Yes. They first met he was a student at Texas A&M.

[@jmtab]

He would one day have a large band.

[@allenmckinney2082]

That's Denice Frankie with Lyle.

[@Jeff-ql3tg]

That’s what I was thinking 🤔

[@JoeMandell-]

There is a video on KZbin with her and Lyle Lovett singing at some backyard bbq singing Closing Time. The video is from a 80s camcorder but the audio is pretty good.

[@thompsonterry4804]

Amazing voice and her songwriting was remarkable, Nanci Griffith’s legacy is incredible.

[@jimkatilaus6267]

With Lyle Lovett singing background vocals....

[@inkoinfinity2]

Nanci was a once in IN A LIFETIME talent

[@barbarabaldwin7120]

MISS HER-ALWAY LOVED THIS SONG!!!

[@robmoore940]

Missing Nancy on this earth but I have her Albums and memories of the only time I heard her live in the UK .

[@timsmith3587]

I've loved this lady since I heard Outbound Plane on Simon Mayo's Radio 1 breakfast show in 1988. A talented and understated guitarist with perfect pitch. Sadly missed.

[@dennisnemitz6823]

How have I never heard this before...I really missed out.

[@allisonbenjamin2449]

Saw her at Tellurde Bluegrass in 1987? Saw her again in Boulder. Then again in 1992 on a rainy night at Rockygrass in Lyons. Dustbowl Symphony still my favorite. Miss you Lady.

[@mycowboyways915]

What a voice !

[@kurtkuykendall592]

Rest easy Nanci you are missed

[@bobbywolff1274]

very talented lady, so hip and multi-layered, so special ...to be a songwriter is my eternal ambition (all i can do is sing - anybody can do that, right...?) RIP

[@AunCollective]

I've composed music and write serviceably well. Can't sing, though.

[@timothyfreeseha4056]

You can take some consolation in the vast amount of work she left for us. I have many of her albums, and when I visit those I am given everything she intended us to have. I think it is blessing from a blessing.

[@timothyfreeseha4056]

Yes. Anyone...except me. If I even look like I'm about to sing my family positions themselves to take me down!

[@jefferyrobertson7520]

Nanci Griffith Was So Amazing Magical Singer And Songwriter From The 70s 80s And Early 90s ☺😎

[@robertcottam8824]

Beautiful voice. Beautiful Nancy.

[@elizabethsidlo2026]

One of my most favorite songs EVER

[@dmk5159]

What a Voice. Lovely.

[@kaylaludyMusic]

Such a great artist ❤

[@user-cq7ef2il3b]

Hadn't heard this song since I seen her on Austin city limits.thanks for the music

[@scottlink183]

So lovely. Thanks.

[@robertsimpson5136]

Lyle Lovett back there singin....

[@m1k3g0rd]

This song makes me cry. I first heard it many, many years ago on a RykoDisc 'Steal This Album' CD and it's never gone away. What a voice.

[@stephenm3874]

OMG, wonderful

[@danaventura5998]

Wonderful version!

[@robertcottam8824]

Beautiful, beautiful Nancy.

[@LyonsArcade]

Never heard it before. 10 out of 10. She's fantastic.

[@tomnparmer]

I do miss her and our special talks.

[@michaeldee3621]

Love you Nancy! 💙💜💚

[@joannabreaks435]

What an absolute pure talent

[@michaelmurray5588]

Everyone hopes there's someone who misses them....even if it's just once every blue moon

[@UAL320]

These were her best years…..

[@kathyyansick5382]

This was the first song I ever heard Nancy Griffith 🌾🌹 sing, she is Lovely this song is so sweet! And the guitarist are amazing I saw it tonight on Austin City Limits it aired on TV PBS, what a treat, I'm so excited to hear her other songs now! Good Lady I can just tell, it was so nice to see the audience gleaming happy to be there to her her sing, I'm so glad I know what the Bible says about Jehovah and Christ Jesus and how they promised to restore Life when the Earth is finally at Peace, God's Peace by means of what Christ Jesus the King did in our behalf he died, he was perfect, so that we may put faith in God and Live~ 🙏🏼🏞️🌍⛰️ 🙏🏼🌞🌞 🙏🏼

[@GeeBee909]

Nanci was not only a great singer, but mult-talented. The dress she is wearing here she made herself

[@user-jl7kz8eo2x]

Astoria Ballroom Leeds UK Thank you

[@rigelmoon9030]

I can see her in my mind's eye as a singing 8 year old. And, that's the way I'll remember her.

[@ArtificialBanana]

You knew her then?

[@LyonsArcade]

I know what you mean, she has a very innocent quality in some of these songs. I've seen Brian Wilson on a good day do similar things, there's something about her performance here that is a little detached, which just makes it much better. She's singing a very sad song, but with a clear and pure voice, it really kind of in a way makes you think aobut the lyrics more. She just has a pure quality that really helps anything she sings. Fantastic performer, it must have been a natural thing for her becuase she doesn't come across as pretending, it's all honest and pure.

[@kentexican5844]

WoW !!!

[@LyonsArcade]

If you watch it 100 times, you'll eventually notice, that she stands there with her hands behind her back the whole time, except during the bridge, just once, she pulls 1 finger out, points, and then puts her hands back behind her back!

[@DeclanOKaneMD]

LYLE !!

[@debraredman3551]

yes, Lyle sings backup with her sometimes, at least while she was still alive.

[@juliagetty-gordon2500]

Was it camcer that took Manci? The mews was not clear. O was devestated to hear of her passing. Ive aeem her live at Krrville amd have all her musuc from way back. O used to song many od her for cover songs .. just love her ❤

[@garykellam5596]

What was it about this Texas girl that was so, so appealing? Well, a lot! 😎

[@john-fm6re]

Swift never looked or sounded so good ...

[@ericw3229]

Great performance but strange seeing her without her guitar.

[@bigmark2.046]

Is that Lyle Lovett on background vocals?

[@GalenBonham]

Yes

[@b1j]

That pretty yellow dress…

[@jeffpugh4447]

Good bye Nancy. I'll see you at the five and dime.

[@jamesberthold2336]

is that Lyle Lovett I see as backup singer?

[@works4cake]

Is that Lyle Lovett singing backup?

[@b1j]

That index finger!

[@abreezygirl]

Songwriters Pat Alger & Eugene Levine

[@joannehack7588]

🌚

[@joannehack7588]

🌙

[@joannehack7588]

💥

[@joannehack7588]

⭐️

[@d80salive92]

She kinda looks like Elle Fanning.

[@michaelmassimilla9330]

Lyle Lovett singing backup…..