‘The most fun I’m ever gonna have’: Garth Brooks draws a rowdy Austin crowd for Hall of Fame induction

Legendary country music artist Garth Brooks came to Austin, Texas, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic concert series, Austin City Limits. But the superstar left the Capital City with a new title: Hall of Famer.

The “Callin’ Baton Rouge” singer’s presence was felt in more ways than one during his filmed induction into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame, which took place at the show’s studio home of ACL Live at the Moody Theater on the night of Thursday, Sept. 5.

Amongst the sea of Wrangler jeans, cowboy boots and various shades of Stetson hats was an undeniable feeling of adoration for the man of the hour, a feeling that quadrupled once Brooks took the stage to accept his Hall of Fame award alongside the longtime producer of Austin City Limits, Terry Lickona.

The roars of the crowd were deafening in the best way, and it was clear that this was a monumental moment to witness, not only for Brooks but for everyone at ACL Live on Thursday night. But what was even more palpable was Brooks’ passion not just for music, but for what Austin City Limits represents: the “real deal,” as Brooks put it.

With the induction in the books, Brooks then kicked off the performance part of the night with unrivaled energy, welcoming the crowd at ACL Live to “the most fun I’m ever gonna have in one night.”

Throughout his nearly two-hour performance that will later air on PBS, Brooks played a slew of songs from his extensive catalog including fan favorites like “The Dance,” “The Thunder Rolls” and “Two Pina Coladas,” while also taking a few requests from members of the audience.

One request was for Brooks’ wife and country music legend, Trisha Yearwood, to join the newest Hall of Fame inductee onstage — and he obliged. Like Brooks, Yearwood received a standing ovation from the overjoyed crowd when she walked out (and nearly stole the show) to join her hubby for a tear-jerking acoustic version of the husband-and-wife duo’s 1997 bit, “In Another’s Eyes.”

Yearwood was inducted into ACL’s Hall of Fame in 2023.

Though the vibes at ACL Live were top-tier throughout the night, the crowd at ACL Live turned up the electricity for Brooks’ performance of his sing-along song, “Friends in Low Places.”

There wasn’t a single person seated when Brooks called for the crowd to sing many Austinites’ favorite lyric, “think I’ll slip on doThink the oasis” — further proving Brooks’ point that Austin City Limits is not just about the music — it’s about the people.

Celebrating 50 years of Austin City Limits

The star-studded evening also served as the kickoff event for Austin City Limits’ record-breaking 50th season, premiering on PBS on Sept. 28. Austin City Limits’ 50th anniversary officially occurs on Oct. 17, 2024, marking 50 years from the day that country music icon and Texas native Willie Nelson first graced the Austin City Limits stage in 1974 to record the show’s pilot episode.

Highlights from Brooks’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony will air as an hourlong Austin City Limits broadcast to celebrate the program’s milestone. And you can trust this is a special you won’t want to miss.

Brooks is no stranger to Austin City Limits, having first appeared on the show in 1990 during the beginning of his career. He returned to celebrate the show’s 25th anniversary and played again in 2021 to help close out the show’s longtime home of studio 6A on the University of Texas at Austin’s campus. Austin City Limits was filmed at Studio 6A from 1974 to 2010 before moving to ACL Live at the Moody Theater.

The country music singer now joins ACL Hall of Famers like his wife, Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Ray Charles, Flaco Jiménez and Guy Clark.

The Austin City Limits Hall of Fame was established in 2014 as a way to honor iconic musicians and those who helped make the series, which is said to the the longest-running popular music show on television, into the institution it is today.