Drummer Mike Palmer Shares ACL Memories Ahead of Garth Brooks' Performance, Hall of Fame Induction

Garth Brooks isn't the only person in his touring family who has fond memories of playing "Austin City Limits." Brooks and company have appeared on the show several times. And each occasion they return – as they did for ACL's 50th-anniversary episode – warm memories flood back.

"Probably '90, I'd say, was our first time there, and it's so iconic," recalls Garth's drummer Mike Palmer. "I mean, first of all, I love music. I'm grateful, thankful, and blessed to be in it full-time for most of my life. But I love live music, and so to watch someone perform what they're playing, how they're playing it and all that was cool. So growing up, that was the thing to watch.”

Brooks, Palmer, and the rest of the band recently returned to "Austin City Limits" to tape a special series episode to celebrate the live music show's fifth decade. Brooks' special will air at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on Saturday, May 3 -- "Austin City Limits Hall of Fame Honors Garth Brooks."

"You can't tell the story of 'Austin City Limits' without Garth Brooks," said ACL executive producer Terry Lickona. "Garth gets it. He gets what makes 'Austin City Limits' special and why it's an honor for an artist to step onto that stage and deliver the best performance of their life. And it's an honor for us to share that stage with artists like Garth, who have so much to offer.”

Garth adapted his stadium-sized show for an intimate hour-long singalong at ACL's studio home, ACL Live, in Austin, Texas. The broadcast, which will stream online at pbs.org/austincitylimits, will also include Garth sharing stories and memories from his 35 years of experience performing on "Austin City Limits."

"To be involved in 'Austin City Limits' – not only their Hall of Fame but on the 50th anniversary – it's like two-fold for me, right?" Garth said. "I mean, I've been watching this show since I was a kid. To get to be on it is a dream. To get to be now in the Hall of Fame is a dream. And to get to be part of their 50th anniversary – how's it get better than that?!”

Palmer compared the notoriety of "Austin City Limits" to "Late Night with Johnny Carson," "Saturday Night Live," and The Grand Ole Opry. However, as a child, ACL was the only place he could watch an artist play more than a few songs.

"When we got to play, it was quite a milestone for me for sure," he said. "It was like, 'Man, we're really doing something with this Garth guy.”

Palmer remembers every time Garth played ACL – including when Chris Gaines showed up to perform.

"He kind of talked about that and played those songs, and then they got off the stage, and we played," he said. "They've been real good to us, to him, to let him do things like that.”

Palmer also remembers playing ACL with songwriter Stephanie Davis – even though he laughs that she forgot.

"It was kind of cool to sit with her because she's so talented and iconic," he said. "Then she's sitting there looking at pictures, going, 'Oh my God, that's me. I didn't know, I don't remember.' But that night was really great. The crowd came to life so well, like we hoped.”

The experience of taping ACL's 50th-anniversary special was also memorable for Palmer. Garth, band, and crew spent a couple of days in Texas for the concert and Hall of Fame ceremony portion.

"It was extra special, for sure," Palmer said. "They gave him so much love. And, of course, he reciprocates that love to them and always has.”

"Austin City Limits Hall of Fame Honors Garth Brooks" will air at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on Saturday, May 3. Watch Live on PBS; Stream on PBS.org or the PBS App.