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Posts Tagged ‘Austin City Limits’

Austin, Texas is well known for its music scene and many bands and musicians are attracted to the clubs and some of the bars there that may give them some necessary exposure. They also seek recording deals and contracts and with all of the arts, or any other field, it can be important to work where the industry is strong. One of the more nationally visible aspects of the Austin music scene is the program that airs on PBS called Austin City Limits. This popular program showcases musicians from various stages of their career. It has become a staple association to the public broadcasting system and is as popular with viewers as it is with musicians. It is also the longest running music based program on television.

In its earliest stages, Austin City Limits was created to feature Texas music and musicians and highlight various innovated styles that came from within the state and were played by local and statewide musicians. However, it has grown to include musicians and bands from all over and also covers a diverse collection of musical styles. The program is filmed live and covers a concert that takes place on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin. In 2003 it was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President George W. Bush and remains the only television program to have received this honor.

The Austin City Limits Music Festival has developed in response to the success of the PBS show and continues to grow and draw in very large crowds. The annual festival takes place in Zilker Park and was named after the iconic program. The Austin Luxury hotels are usually very crowded during festival days and early reservations are recommended. In 2009, some of the headliners for the three-day festival included The Dave Mathews Band, Kings of Leon and Pearl Jam.