CONWAY, Ark. (Arkansas PBS) — Arkansas PBS celebrates music legends throughout the month of October with a series of documentaries and concerts. Additional music favorites will be available through Arkansas PBS Passport – a video-on-demand member benefit – including local series “On the Front Row,” the “Classic Albums” collection, “Austin City Limits,” “Great Performances” and more.

“Austin City Limits: The Very Best of John Prine,” premiering Saturday, Oct. 3, 11:30 p.m. features an hour of stirring performances from the late singer/songwriter John Prine’s episodes of “Austin City Limits.” Songs include “Paradise,” “Sam Stone” and “Angel From Montgomery,” with special guest Bonnie Raitt.

On Friday, Oct. 9, at 8 p.m., “Classic Albums: John Lennon – Plastic Ono Band,” explores the making of Lennon’s first post-Beatles album. Released in 1970, it is widely regarded as one of his finest – a fierce, raw, emotionally painful, yet beautiful collection of some of the most personal and cathartic songs he ever wrote, including “Mother,” “Love,” “Working Class Hero,” “Isolation” and “God.” “John Lennon – Plastic Ono Band,” part of the multi-part British documentary series “Classic Albums,” features interviews with Yoko Ono, Ringo Starr, bassist Klaus Voormann and others, along with archival footage and recorded interviews with an honest and open Lennon.

“Classic Albums” is a British documentary series that celebrates the making of the greatest albums in pop, rock and heavy metal music. Each episode features interviews with band members, producers and others discussing the creation of the historic recording. During the broadcast, viewers will learn how to gain access to additional episodes of the series available through Arkansas PBS Passport, including “Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon,” “Fleetwood Mac – Rumours,” “Carly Simon – No Secrets,” “The Who – Who’s Next,” “Elton John – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and “Queen – A Night at the Opera,” among many others. The best value in on-demand streaming, Arkansas PBS Passport is a member benefit for donation as little as $5 a month, or $60 annually.

Immediately following “John Lennon – Plastic Ono Band” will be “American Masters: Lennon NYC” Friday, Oct. 9, at 9:30 p.m. This is the story of one of the most famous and influential artists of the 20th century and how he found redemption not in the public adoration he craved as a youth, but in the quiet and simple pleasures of fatherhood. It is also a New York immigrant’s tale. Lennon moved to New York City in 1971 seeking what every other immigrant has sought: freedom – the freedom to be himself and not “Beatle John,” the freedom to live a normal life.

“Great Performances: GRAMMY Salute to Music Legends,” Friday, Oct. 16, at 8 p.m., will honor 2020 Special Merit Awards recipients with this awards ceremony and tribute concert hosted by Jimmy Jam. Announced earlier this year, the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award honorees are Chicago, Roberta Flack, Isaac Hayes, Iggy Pop, John Prine, Public Enemy and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Performers include Laurie Anderson, Philip Bailey, Brandi Carlile, Cynthia Erivo, Chris Isaak, Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires, Cyndi Lauper, Sam Moore, Leslie Odom Jr. and Yola. Presenters include Rhiannon Giddens, Joe Mantegna, John Legend, LL COOL J, Greg Phillinganes, Henry Rollins and Don Was.

“Austin City Limits: Stevie Ray Vaughan: A Retrospective” will premiere Saturday, Oct. 17, at 11:30 p.m. This hour-long program comprised of classic “Austin City Limits” performances from late Texas blues rocker Stevie Ray Vaughan and his band Double Trouble includes such songs as “Pride and Joy,” “Crossfire” and “Texas Flood.”

On Saturday, Oct. 24, at 11:30 p.m., “Austin City Limits” will welcome renowned singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright. The American/Canadian performer and composer sings songs from his latest album “Unfollow the Rules.”

“Metallica and The San Francisco Symphony: S&M2” will premiere Friday, Oct. 30, at 9 p.m. In September 2019, Metallica reunited for two incredible nights with the nearly 80-member San Francisco Symphony. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the first S&M concert, these two sold-out performances were the first ever at the new Chase Center in Metallica’s hometown of San Francisco. Metallica’s Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo combined forces with the symphony, led by conductor Edwin Outwater, with a special appearance by legendary conductor and longtime San Francisco Symphony Musical Director Michael Tilson Thomas. The concerts marked the first time these two venerable music institutions have performed together on stage since 1999, documented in “S&M,” the Grammy-winning album and concert film.

Praised by critics, the concert captures Metallica fan favorites performed with elaborate symphonic arrangements. Songs include “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “Enter Sandman,” “The Outlaw Torn,” “Nothing Else Matters,” “One,” “Master of Puppets” and more.

Wrapping up the month Saturday, Oct. 31, at 11:30 p.m. will be “Austin City Limits: ACL Presents: 50 Years of Asleep at the Wheel: A Retrospective.” This special hour features “Austin City Limits” performances by Austin’s Western swing faithkeepers Asleep at the Wheel. Spanning nearly 50 years of appearances, the songs include “Boogie Back to Texas,” “Choo Choo Ch’boogie” and “Take Me Back to Tulsa.”

The Arkansas PBS Foundation exists to support Arkansas PBS’s mission of enhancing lives through trusted, multiplatform public media content and educational services. The Foundation provides Arkansans with opportunities to connect with Arkansas’s only statewide public media by becoming a financial donor, corporate or foundation partner, volunteer, or by other means of giving. The Arkansas PBS Foundation builds and strengthens relationships between Arkansas PBS, donors and audiences and is committed to being a transparent and accountable steward of private financial support.

Arkansas PBS is Arkansas’s only statewide public media network, which enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. Arkansas PBS delivers daily, essential, local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers through multiple digital platforms, including on-demand services and YouTube TV, and the distinct channels Arkansas PBS, Arkansas PBS Create, Arkansas PBS KIDS, Arkansas PBS WORLD and Arkansas PBS AIRS on SAP. Members with Arkansas PBS Passport have extended on-demand access to a rich library of public television programming. Arkansas PBS depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. Additional information is available at myarkansaspbs.org. Arkansas PBS is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro) and KETZ (El Dorado).

---###---