AUSTIN, Texas — Weekend two of the Austin City Limits Music Festival kicked off to a rocking start Friday night.
Country music star Chris Stapleton surprised fans to start his headlining act by bringing out beloved Texas music icon Willie Nelson.
Nelson, 91, and Stapleton jammed out on the American Express stage to two songs, the first being Nelson’s classic concert opener “Whiskey River.” The duo then went into another Nelson classic, “Bloody Mary Monday.”
Although Nelson’s appearance during Stapleton’s set was a surprise, the two singer-songwriters have performed together before. They toured together on the Outlaw Music Festival Tour and Stapleton performed alongside Nelson at the Texan’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last year.
Friday’s appearance won’t be the last ACL performance for Nelson this week. On Oct. 17, the 91-year-old will be at the Long Center for the Performing Arts to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Austin City Limits’ first broadcast, which featured Nelson.
