Willie Nelson Performs ‘Red Headed Stranger’ In Its Entirety For ‘Austin City Limits’ In 1976

Willie Nelson shared video of his 1976 performance on Austin City Limits. The television appearance saw Nelson and the family band performing Willie’s landmark concept album Red Headed Stranger in its entirety.

The LP arrived on May 1, 1975. Nelson drew inspiration for Red Headed Stranger from a similarly named song he used to spin as a disc jockey in Fort Worth. The concept effort is famous for its sparse arrangement — Rolling Stone compared the music to Ernest Hemmingway’s masterfully concise prose — and traces the narrative of a fugitive on the lamb after killing his wife and her lover.

The record’s lead single, Fred Rose’s “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain,” would become Nelson’s firts No. 1 as a performer. While much of Red Headed Stranger features Nelson’s interpretations of older country and traditional songs, it also boasts stellar originals like “Time Of The Preacher,” “Denver” and the instrumental composition “Bandera” which serves as the album’s ride off into the sunset.

The October 4, 1976 Austin City Limits performance of Red Headed Stranger — marking Willie’s second ACL outing after appearing on the pilot episode in 1975 — aired as the second season opener in 1977.

Watch Willie Nelson and the family band perform Red Headed Stranger in its entirety below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjTxfFDraHk

Red Headed Stranger Tracklist:

1. Time Of The Preacher
2. I Couldn’t Believe It Was True
3. Time Of The Preacher Theme
4. Blue Rock Montana / Red Headed Stranger
5. Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain
6. Red Headed Stranger
7. Time Of The Preacher Theme
8. Just As I Am
9. Denver
10. O’er The Waves
11. Down Yonder
12. Can I Sleep In Your Arms
13. Remember Me (When The Candle Lights Are Gleaming)
14. Hands On The Wheel
15. Bandera