Legends Bonnie Raitt, Mavis Staples Perform Together on AUSTIN CITY LIMITS, 10/20

Music legends Bonnie Raitt and Mavis Staples come together for the first time on Austin City Limits (ACL) in a powerful new episode airing Saturday, October 20, on PBS (check local listings for times). The two incredible artists deliver passionate performances and represent a perfect pairing of blues, soul, rock and R&B. Nine-time Grammy winner Bonnie Raitt returns for her third appearance on Austin City Limits, and legendary soul/gospel singer Mavis Staples makes her ACL debut.

The double-header episode features Raitt and Staples each performing separate sets, before teaming up on the ACL stage for an inspired rendition of Randy Newman's “Losing You.” “Thanks for coming out to see our soul sisters extravaganza tonight,” hails Raitt as the singers join forces for a roof-raising performance of the folk/gospel anthem “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” bringing the audience at the Moody Theater in downtown Austin to its feet.

ACL Executive Producer Terry Lickona says, “What’s not to love about Bonnie Raitt and Mavis Staples? Bonnie brings more of the same magic she did on her first appearance 30 years ago. Mavis doesn’t have to prove anything, but she delivers the performance of a lifetime, and together they rank as one of ACL’s best shows.”

A true original, Raitt performs tracks from her critically-acclaimed 2012 release Slipstream and a few classics from her remarkable career. “This is worth 40 years on that tour bus, just to feel like this,” says a triumphant Bonnie Raitt from the ACL stage. With Slipstream, Raitt launched her own record label, Redwing Records, and the chart-topping release marks her return to studio recording after a seven year absence.

Called “one of the world's mightiest gospel pop singers” by Time Magazine, Mavis Staples won the first Grammy of her storied career in 2011 for Best Americana Album for her Anti- Records release, You Are Not Alone, produced by Wilco's Jeff Tweedy. Her debut appearance on ACL finds the iconic singer at her most powerful, performing soulful renditions of tracks from the universally-acclaimed Grammy-winning release, as well as songs from The Staples Singers-era.