Brandi Carlile and Special Guest Bonnie Raitt Return to ACL for 12th Annual ACL Hall of Fame Induction and Taping

Watch Live: Wednesday, July 1 at 8 p.m. CT/9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT

AUSTIN, TX—July 1, 2026—For the first time in its history, the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame will stream live worldwide, inviting music fans everywhere to experience one of the series’ most cherished traditions in real time. The historic livestream will celebrate 11-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile as the newest inductee into the 12th Annual Austin City Limits Hall of Fame on Wednesday, July 1, with music legend Bonnie Raitt presenting the induction honors and performing in tribute, and Carlile performing a full-set for the occasion.

Broadcast live from ACL Live at The Moody Theater in Austin, Texas, the one-night-only celebration marks a new chapter for the Hall of Fame, opening its doors to a global audience for the very first time. Since its 10th anniversary in 2024, the ACL Hall of Fame has celebrated one iconic artist each year with an expanded evening of music and storytelling. This year, for the first time ever, fans around the world are invited inside to witness the emotion, music, and once-in-a-lifetime collaborations that have made the ACL Hall of Fame one of the series’ signature events. 

Fans can tune in live and free on YouTube.com/AustinCityLimitsTV on July 1 beginning at 9 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. CT. The livestream will feature the complete induction ceremony and performances as they happen and will be available exclusively during the live broadcast. Performance and induction highlights from this evening will air as an hourlong broadcast during Season 52 of Austin City Limits, premiering this September on PBS, and will be available to stream online and via the PBS App.

So sorry to hear of Bobby’s passing. He was a true inspiration and shining light, both musically and for how he used his gifts to make the world better. I’m so grateful for our friendship and getting to collaborate both onstage and for causes we care so much about. He was one of the most unique and inventive guitarists I’ve known and I love that he was always stretching, always reinventing and always cutting right through to the mighty core.

I send my deepest condolences to Natascha, Chloe, Monet and the extended Grateful Dead family and community. Bobby will be sorely missed, always treasured and never, ever fade away…
Here’s one of the organizations we both cared deeply about. No better way to honor his memory than to support HeadCount and their efforts to register voters and make democracy work! https://www.headcount.org/donate/
— Bonnie

2024 photo of Bobby by Chloe Keilia Weir; 1997 photo of Bobby and Bonnie by Jay Blakesburg

May 1, 2025
As told to Rachel Keenan

Going back out on tour, the 13-time Grammy winner recalls stark inspirations and steamy studio sessions as she answers your questions.
READ IN FULL HERE: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/may/01/bonnie-raitt-activism-making-men-cry-38-years-of-sobriety

https://www.hppr.org/hppr-arts-culture-history/2025-03-10/here-comes-love-an-interview-with-bonnie-raitt-live-in-amarillo-this-tuesday-night

Believe it or not, a blues-folk-rock-roots-soul-R&B-funk-country icon plays HPPR territory this week, so PLEASE head to Amarillo to see this 13-time Grammy-winning, self-taught guitar legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer LIVE IN CONCERT at the Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium on Tuesday, March 11^th.— and it’s the first time she’s been back since 1977!

https://youtu.be/7nHwRATIjvg
Watch this throwback to Bonnie’s appearance on Saturday Night Live on January 20, 1990 mere weeks before her album Nick of Time won AOTY at the 32nd GRAMMY Awards.  The episode’s host was Christopher Walken and Bonnie and her band performed “Have A Heart” and “Thing Called Love.”

In celebration of SNL’s 50th season, Bonnie will perform LIVE on February 14th at the #SNL50: The Homecoming Concert! The event will stream live from Radio City Music Hall on @Peacock at 8PM ET / 5PM PT.

The concert will showcase performances including Arcade Fire, Backstreet Boys, Bad Bunny, Brandi Carlile, Brittany Howard, Chris Martin of Coldplay, David Byrne, DEVO, Eddie Vedder, Jack White, Jelly Roll, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Mumford & Sons, Post Malone, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Robyn, The B-52s, The Roots and more! –BRHQ

Bonnie has contributed a new recording of “Prison Bound Blues” written by Leroy Carr to a project called Better Than Jail, an extraordinary new album benefiting Free Hearts and Equal Justice USA. Better Than Jail is available everywhere today and features covers of iconic prison songs from Steve Earle, Taj Mahal, Margo Price, The War & Treaty and many more. The album seeks to raise awareness and support for the urgent need to reduce the harm of the criminal justice system.

“I’m so proud to have joined in with so many illustrious artists in creating this very special album in support of rural prison reform. Overlooked for far too long, this issue cuts across all cultural and political divides and deserves all our focused attention to finally bring about some swift and meaningful action. Better Than Jail is one of the most inspired and heartfelt albums I’ve been blessed to be a part of and I hope it sets a fire in hearts far and wide to join in our efforts.” – Bonnie Raitt

LISTEN HERE: https://found.ee/BetterThanJail

Bonnie joined Nathaniel Rateliff and his bandmates for an in-depth conversation on Night Sweats Radio on Sirius XM The Spectrum, Channel 28. Listen to the episode on demand here: https://sxm.app.link/NightSweatsRadioBonnieRaitt

Bonnie spoke with Stuart Miller at the LA Times about the art of crafting a setlist that will satisfy herself, her band and the audience alike.

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2024-09-10/bonnie-raitt-squeeze-the-who-share-secrets-of-a-great-setlist

Viewable PDF

Bonnie and her band will headline Friday, May 2, 2025 at Tedeschi Trucks Band Sun, Sand and Soul Beach Weekend! Join us in Miramar Beach, FL from May 1-3, 2025 for TWO performances from Tedeschi Trucks Band plus sets from Bonnie, Cory Wong, Los Lobos, The Wood Brothers, and more!

Sign up for the presale NOW at the link below to be among the first to secure priority access to your dedicated cove and take advantage of early bird pricing! https://sunsandsoul.topeka.live/

PRESALE SIGN UP WINDOW:
Tuesday, July 30 at 2 pm ET to Sunday, August 4 at 11:59 pm ET

GUEST PRESALE BOOKINGS:
Wednesday, August 7 and Thursday, August 8

GENERAL ON SALE:
Friday, August 9 at 12 pm ET

Happy 85th Birthday to my dear ‘big sis,’ Mavis Staples. I cherish every moment we’re together, including your incredible early birthday celebration in LA a couple of months ago. What a blast we had and what a lineup gathered in celebration to honor and adore YOU! Your irrepressible vitality and spirit shine through every song you sing, calling us to keep up the fight for equal rights, freedom and justice for all. You bring us all together in ways no one else can. I send my deep love and warm wishes for many more wonderful years to come. Hope to see you soon!..XX your ‘lil sis,’ Bonnie