Watch Willie Nelson Perform “Whiskey River” on the Pilot Episode of ‘Austin City Limits’ in 1974

Texas has a long and rich musical history. The state has produced artists like Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, George Strait, Miranda Lambert, and many more. At the same time, the Lone Star State hosts several time-honored musical events like Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic and the long-running TV show Austin City Limits. It only seems fitting that the Red-Headed Stranger performed during the pilot episode of the iconic live music show.

The pilot episode of Austin City Limits aired on October 17, 1974. That night, Nelson and his band took the stage to help launch the show. He has been opening his shows with “Whiskey River” since the early ‘70s and the same was true for his first appearance on ACL. As a result, it was the first song performed on the long-running series. Watch the historic moment take place below.

[RELATED: 3 Lesser-Known Willie Nelson Gems from the 1980s]

Time has been kind to both Nelson and Austin City Limits. This year, the show will celebrate its 50th anniversary, continuing its reign as the longest-running music program in television history. Nelson, on the other hand, will release his 76th studio album as a solo artist and his 153rd album overall in November.

“Whiskey River”: The Signature Song That Willie Nelson Didn’t Write

Willie Nelson’s friend and fellow singer/songwriter Johnny Bush co-wrote “Whiskey River” with Paul Stroud. Bush recorded the song first. It was the title track and a single from his 1972 album. His version of the song went to No. 14 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Nelson first recorded “Whiskey River” for his 1973 album Shotgun Willie. However, he didn’t release the studio version as a single. Five years later, he recorded a rendition of the song for the live album Willie and Family Live. “Whiskey River” was the sole single from the album. It peaked at No. 12 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

Bush wrote a book titled Whiskey River (Take My Mind): The True Story of Texas Honky Tonk. In the book’s foreword, Nelson wrote, “And then Johnny wrote ‘Whiskey River’ and he has been exceedingly wealthy ever since. He doesn’t need to sing anymore or write books. He only does it to serve his public, which he deeply loves.”

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