Willie Nelson is more than a music legend—he’s a guardian of American cultural soul. At 92, he’s raising his voice once again, this time against the proposed federal budget cuts targeting PBS and the iconic Austin City Limits, a show where his legacy began half a century ago.
An Irreplaceable Legacy
Austin City Limits – Where American Music History Was Born
Willie Nelson was the first artist to perform on Austin City Limits (ACL) in 1974. That moment wasn’t just the beginning of a TV show—it launched a cultural institution. Willie has appeared on ACL more than any other artist, and to millions, ACL is more than music. It’s memory. It’s America.
On July 23, 2025, when federal officials announced sweeping cuts to PBS—the public broadcaster behind ACL—outrage spread fast. And once again, Willie stood tall, delivering a message that cut through the noise.
A Voice from the Heart of a Cultural Icon
“PBS and ACL are the building blocks of humanity”
Willie didn’t make it political. He made it personal.
“PBS and Austin City Limits are the building blocks of humanity,” he wrote. For him, this wasn’t about funding. It was about safeguarding the soul of a nation—its music, its people, and the stories they share.
That message isn’t just for country fans. It’s for everyone who believes in keeping history alive and in celebrating the art that brings us together.