Willie Nelson christens ACL Live

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Willie Nelson fans were excited to see the iconic singer perform for  ACL Live at the Moody Theater in Downtown Austin.

Nelson gave one of the first performances Sunday night under the auspices of the venue's new programming arm -- ACL Live at the Moody Theater -- inside the W Hotel at 310 W. 2nd Street, also known as Willie Nelson Boulevard. He also performs Monday night.

Nelson opened Sunday night's concert with Ain't It Funny How Time Slips Away and Crazy.

Children's music group Imagination Movers were the first to take the stage on Thursday night; on Friday Cody Canada & The Departed performed.

The theater is also the new home of the historic Austin City Limits television show, which had its last run on at the University of Texas' communications building on Nov. 8. The studio had been home to the show for 36 years. It is a PBS show produced locally by KLRU-TV.

The newly created backdrop for the TV show will not be unveiled until the Austin City Limits Gala staged by KLRU on Thursday, Feb. 24, featuring Steve Miller Band.  Austin City Limits on Saturday, Feb. 26 is the first taping for the TV show's new season in the Moody Theater location , and features Steve Miller.

The Gala -- which is sold out -- includes a seated dinner at tables in front of the stage for $500 per ticket, and balcony seats that includes food and refreshments for $150 each.

The live music venue has a capacity to hold more than 2,700 people and will host 60 to 100 concerts a year, in addition to the nights the Austin City Limits show is taped.