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New Book Celebrates 40 Years of 'Austin City Limits'

On October 17, 1974, Willie Nelson performed at the KLRN television studios on the University of Texas campus for the inaugural Austin City Limits. Over the course of four decades and hundreds of episodes, the program has featured a wide variety of artists from legends like Ray Charles and Chet Atkins to contemporary bands such as Arcade Fire and the Decemberists.

On October 3rd, Austin City Limits celebrates its 40th anniversary with an all-star program. Also marking the show’s four decades on the air is Tracey E. W. Laird's new book, Austin City Limits: A History. She’s professor of music and chair at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia.

She joined Dakota Midday and explained what has made Austin City Limits one of the longest-running music showcases in television history.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.