Beyond Limits: A Look Into The Legend of ACL Live

Jasmine Meshell

Music Journalist

Seven stories above the small town of San Marcos, just 30 minutes outside of Austin, The Wittliff Collections invited Austin City Limits legends, Scott Newton in conversation with Terry Lickona. The event, centered around Newton’s story and the photos that tell it, launches the current major photography exhibit “Scott Newton: Beyond Limits”. The Exhibit celebrates innumerable historical music moments captured by the legendary photographer and ACL Live’s upcoming 50-year anniversary.

As the crowd nestled into their seats, Hector Saldaña, The Wittliff’s Music Curator shifted slightly before starting the conversation by setting the scene for when ACL Live first aired. “ In October 1974, the country was reeling from Watergate, Richard Nixon resigning and being pardoned by Gerald Ford…” Halfway through the introduction, Newton interrupted to point out the death of a large figure in the country who had just passed around that time in ‘73. A photo on the opposite side of the room was taken of Lyndon B. Johnson’s hearse heading down 29th Street towards the LBJ Presidential Library. After acknowledging Newton’s part in capturing U.S. history, Saldaña continued with talk of how The Ramones played their first gig in NYC in August 1975, SNL also hitting their 50th season coming up with their release only a year following ACL. After just a few successful years, Terry Lickona joined as a producer in ‘78 and very quickly became the Executive Producer the following year. In 1979, that same year, Scott Newton joined the family as the Still Photographer for Austin City Limits. The two have worked together for a very long time and have seen that the show becomes the truly outstanding production that it is. Lickona reflects on how the show has outstood many productions by staying true to its purpose of sharing music that speaks to people on subconscious levels, as Lickona said maintaining “the history of what we’re doing is just as important as the entertainment value”, and of creating a healing atmosphere through human connection.

My favorite question of the night was when Newton was asked about the muses and their guidance in his work, his reply was one that many need to hear and I definitely needed a reminder of. His response began by recalling his time studying Literature at The University of Texas, “taking ancient Greek, translating the Odyssey, and then going to the Armadillo at night”. A burst of laughter filled the room as the many Austinites joined in recalling their times at the acclaimed venue from the 70’s. He continued, laughing as he spoke “There was a cross-pollination. It was real. I’m reading Plato, reading about Socrates talking about the muse and how he doesn’t do anything without listening to his muse…and I realized, I had an inkling, I could see it. I could see the muse. I could see it when she’s there, when she’s working with the person”. Relating the story back to working with different artists at ACL Live, he reflects on his main thoughts through the shooting process being “don’t get in the shot… don’t get in anybody’s way and come up with good, creative images And so for me, it’s almost automatic. I don’t think about it. I actually let the muse take over and she guides me well”. Newton is able to capture the essence of live performances without interference (besides a camera or two), preserving the raw, unfiltered connection between the artist and their audience and the artist and their muse.

The night at The Wittliff Collections closed with a round of questions from a very engaged and curious audience. It was more than just a celebration of Scott Newton’s photography; it was a testament to the enduring legacy of Austin City Limits. Through the candid conversation between Saldaña, Newton, and Lickona, the audience reminisced of the show’s commitment to preserving authentic musical expression and its deep roots in Austin’s culture and history. The evening, filled with laughter, nostalgia, and meaningful insights, paid homage not only to ACL’s upcoming 50th anniversary but also to the countless moments of magic captured on camera by Newton. Make sure to check out  The Wittliff Collections YouTube account  for the taping of the event coming very soon. Newton’s words take on quite a different meaning with his infliction and feeling.