Highlights Archive

ACL Presents: Willie Nelson & Family • WXXI-TV

Willie Nelson returns to the Austin City Limits stage alongside family and friends, for a Texas-sized concert to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his pilot taping.

ACL Presents: Willie Nelson & Family airs Saturday, July 19 at 4:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streams live on the WXXI app.

Iconic live music television series Austin City Limits (ACL) was born on October 17, 1974, when Willie Nelson taped the pilot episode. That now legendary debut became the cornerstone for 50 years of groundbreaking, award-winning music television. Now Willie returns on the 50th anniversary of that taping to commemorate Austin City Limits’ remarkable half-century milestone with a Texas-sized outdoor concert on October 17, 2024, at Austin’s Long Center for the Performing Arts.

Photo: Willie Nelson on ACL in 1974
Credit: Austin City Limits

In the Key of Z: Meet the Musicians • Watch On-Demand

Born into the 21st century, Gen Z takes a new approach to everything by default. But how does this contrast against the long-established canon of music history? Meet 5 students whose devotion to their craft defies generational trends in WXXI’s latest series, In the Key of Z: Classical.

Click here to learn more about this digital first series and watch all the episodes.

Hot takes! Instrument redesigns! Composer March Madness! WXXI Classical Host, Steve Johnson pulls back the curtain and gets behind the scenes to discover what feeds the fire for these young musicians.

Erica Liu

Erica Liu is a violinist who studies under Marcos Kreutzer at the Hochstein School. She started piano at the age of 5, and violin at the age of 6.

Erica Liu

Fritz Kreisler, La Gitana | Erica Liu

Helena Dixon

Helena Dixon, who studies under Kathy Kemp of the Hochstein School, loves the sound of the cello and the musical range it has.

Meet Helena Dixon

JS Bach, Cello Suite No. 2: I. Prelude | Helena Dixon

Ashley Park

Violinist Ashley Park has been playing her instrument for the last 10 years and believes the violin is another way to express emotion and describes it as “another voice.”

Meet Ashley Park

Franz Waxman, Carmen Fantasie | Ashley Park

Benjamin Watson

Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra member Benjamin Watson plays both the piano and French horn. A Classical music fan since he was an infant, rumor has it he was heard singing “Ode to Joy” in his crib.

Meet Benjamin Watson

Reinhold Glière, Horn Concerto in B flat, Op. 91 | Benjamin Watson

Peyton Crony

Eastman Community Music School student Peyton Crony shares how she came to pick the viola as her instrument and performs Franz Anton Hoffmeister, Etude in A minor, a piece she admits, “always brings a smile to my face.”

Meet Peyton Crony

Franz Anton Hoffmeister, Etude in A minor | Peyton Crony

February’s CREATE Showcases • WXXI-CREATE

Enjoy these marathons with your favorite CREATE celebrities throughout February.

CREATE Showcases air Fridays from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on WXXI-CREATE.

Celebrating Black Creators — 2/6 /2/8
Kick off the celebration of Black History Month with destinations, stories, and recipes that honor the contributions of Black creators from across the diaspora and how they bring cultural traditions to life.

Cheers to our Viewers: A Toast to You! — 2/13-2/15
This Valentine’s Day, we’re raising our glasses to you! Spend the weekend on a globe trotting adventure with Fresh Glass and Wine First to discover wines and bites fit for any celebration.

Dreaming of Europe — 2/20 -2/22
The Winter Olympics have shined a spotlight on Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, but we’re not stopping there! Join Kathy McCabe for a deeper look at locations throughout Italy (and a few other European destinations!) and start planning a European getaway.

Table for All — 2/27-3/1
Come along with Buki Elegbede as he meets fascinating people and learns the stories and traditions behind the dishes that bring us together around the table.