When Austin Metropolis Limits taped its first present inside UT’s Studio 6A in 1974, a grand home piano sat firmly on the stage underneath the spell of musician Bobbie Nelson, whereas her famed brother Willie’s voice wailed. Because the present grew and totally different artists together with Ray Charles, Lyle Lovett and Fat Domino graced the present’s airwaves, one instrument — the 1911 Steinway and Sons piano — by no means moved.
Nonetheless, when ACL relocated manufacturing to The Moody Theater after 36 seasons in 2011, producers left the hefty ivories behind, fearing the piano wouldn’t survive the experience downtown. It remained in storage for 12 years, till longtime government producer Terry Lickona mentioned he had a imaginative and prescient — taking good care of the piano himself.
“I didn’t anticipate them to offer it to me, as I couldn’t afford to purchase it as a result of frankly, it’s priceless,” mentioned Lickona, a 45-year ACL veteran. “When Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters noticed it, he mentioned it must be within the Smithsonian, however I’ve this factor about placing devices underneath glass circumstances. It’s nice to have a look at, however it’s unhappy — it’s not nonetheless alive.”
Now, due to Lickona, the century-old piano, with some scratches however countless character, fills his high-ceilinged, music memorabilia-filled residence with a perfectly-tuned ring, proving the instrument stays lively.
Making good on a promise, Lickona hosted the ACL staff final week to showcase the resonant 88 keys and invite others to play. Properly-respected Austin musician Henri Herbert delivered a poignant set, and mentioned putting his palms on these keys specifically culminated his dream.
“A few years in the past, I used to be dwelling in an English seaside city and I watched DVDs of ACL. … That was a part of what led me to come back to Austin,” Herbert mentioned. “It feels magical, form of mystical and religious. I’m not spiritual myself, however I think about that it appears like one thing otherworldly.”
The piano’s historical past could possibly be as majestic as its sound, however a lot stays unknown, in addition to that UT gave it to ACL on the present’s inception. Station archivist Liz Antaramian found most of the stars who performed the instrument, however mentioned she continues looking for clues about its pre-ACL story.
“I’m hoping that from 1911 to 1974, possibly a scholar who wasn’t certain about whether or not music was for them performed it, or it was used for theater or choir the place it introduced pleasure,” Antaramian mentioned. “I’m hoping individuals attain out after they learn this text, and possibly say, ‘I used to be a scholar at UT in 1965, and I obtained to play on the piano throughout my lunch break.’”
Butler College of Music professor John Mills mentioned he remembers the piano effectively. The acclaimed jazz musician made appearances on ACL, even alongside Willie Nelson, and mentioned the piano’s second likelihood serves as a testomony to UT, the music franchise’s birthplace.
“The coed inhabitants had lots to do with the character of the music scene … at a time when Austin on any given evening didn’t have a pair hundred venues,” Mills mentioned. “The vitality on campus, and definitely ACL, was a really particular factor.”
Honoring ACL’s particular legacy, Lickona introduced a $25,000 donation to the station on the reception. He mentioned the piano’s rediscovery marks solely the start of a memorable fiftieth anniversary season, as historical past’s longest-running music collection charts its future.
“I don’t wish to get too carried away, however it’s like being born once more. We’re not solely giving individuals an opportunity to rediscover the piano, however uncover extra concerning the present’s historical past,” Lickona mentioned. “Fifty is an enormous milestone, and it’s a bridge to the longer term.”