Recently, Austin City Limits celebrated forty years as a music institution. A television special honoring the program’s 40th anniversary was aired that featured well-known artists in the series' history coming together to perform select songs. Above, you can watch a clip that features Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Buddy Guy, Willie Nelson and his son Lukas, and Lyle Lovett perform their version of Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Texas Flood." They are back by SRV's band, Double Trouble, who are bassist Tommy Shannon, keyboardist Reese Wynans and drummer Chris Layton.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd wastes little time starting the song with bending notes and a guitar sound almost identical to the late SRV. Bluesman Buddy Guy takes the first verse before handing the duties to Willie Nelson. Willie trades vocals with his son, Lukas, who impresses the audience with a sharp solo. The tune wraps up with Lyle Lovett giving a brief but gritty vocal performance. While the Stevie Ray Vaughan version often highlighted only the guitarist, it would have been interesting to hear where Kenny, Buddy, Willie and others would have taken it, if given all the time they wanted.
For more information about Austin City Limits Celebrates 40 Years and its lineup of artists, check out the Austin City Limits website.
