Emmis Radio in Austin has cut a cool deal with Austin City Limits Enterprises in that market. KGSR, which has been a Triple A format since 1990, has been reborn as Austin City Limits Radio. Listeners can expect to hear artists ranging from Willie Nelson to Kendrick Lamar, Ed Sheeran to Kacey Musgraves, and Radiohead to Gary Clark Jr.
Austin City Limits Radio officially launched at 5 p.m. CDT Thursday and now airs on 93.3 FM, 97.1 FM, and at ACL-Radio.com. Everything was kicked off with a live broadcast from Austin’s Arlyn Studios. Mayor Steve Adler ceremoniously pulled the switch signaling the changeover and “Whiskey River,” the first song performed by Willie Nelson on the pilot episode of Austin City Limits in 1974, was the first song played on Austin City Limits Radio.
Emmis Austin Market Manager Scott Gilmore, who by the way was the original GM for KGSR when it debuted in 1990, said, “This unprecedented and innovative licensing agreement with a local radio station brand and a national, even international, brand like Austin City Limits is groundbreaking. It just makes sense. KGSR and Austin City Limits are two of the most beloved music brands in Austin. Just as Austin has grown and evolved, so has Austin City Limits – and now KGSR will join in that evolution. We will be playing music and serving the Austin community in new ways with new partners. We couldn’t be more excited!”
Tom Gimbel, General Manager of Austin City Limits said, “The Austin City Limits brand has been built on integrity and a commitment to showcasing the very best in music — whether to our weekly public television audience, at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, or at a concert at ACL Live at The Moody Theater. It’s exciting to see ACL take this very natural next step by extending into radio. To partner with another of Austin’s great music beacons in KGSR, one with a 28-year history in the market, is an incredible opportunity to enrich our local airwaves and serve the Austin community.”
Emily Parker, Program Director of Austin City Limits Radio 93.3 and 97.1 KGSR, commented, “The concept of basing a radio format on the rich history of the ACL TV show, the tastemakers at ACL Festival and ACL Live, and the curators of KGSR’s iconic radio station are what allowed us to develop this one-of-a-kind authentic Austin brand. The premise of Austin City Limits Radio is one that reflects how people actually listen to music in the on-demand digital age. There will be no format limits. Just as our audience’s personal playlists may include everything from Alternative to Pop, Country to Hip Hop, and everything in between, so will the music mix we craft on ACL Radio.”
