AUSTIN, Texas — It's not often you hear twang at the Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL).
But this year, the fest had country music legend and Texas native Tanya Tucker.
Throughout her 51-year career, Tucker has had a bit of a rebellious reputation. Even during her Weekend 2 set, at age 65, she joked that she usually gets up around 5 p.m.
But it's also true that Tucker gives off a bit of meemaw energy these days -- a right she's certainly earned.
Tucker definitely looked the part of bar singer-turned-grandma during Weekend 2, in an all-white, rhinestone-studded outfit, hair teased closer to God and a full face of makeup. She was even joined at one point by her dog, Stella Quaid -- a natural dancer gifted to Tucker by fellow Texas native, Dennis Quaid -- who was such a big hit with the crowd, they started chanting her name.
Tucker peppered her set with reminders of how long she's been around and that she considers herself lucky to still be kicking. It was really something to hear her tell an all-ages crowd -- many already in place for 26-year-old Noah Kahan -- about her No. 1 hits from 1975 and 1987, to name a few.
At one point, Tucker told the crowd she had neck surgery a week ago and claimed she was a little slower because of it. Later, she thanked her fans for being with her through thick and thin, saying this set was on the thinner side.
But she didn't need to be so hard on herself. That raspy voice still sounds just fine and songs like "It's a Little Too Late," "Texas" and, of course, "Delta Dawn" still got a strong reaction.
Thankfully, Tucker shows no sign of stopping. She joked during her set, "I don't know how to do anything else, so I'm going to keep singing."
Tucker was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame earlier this year, an honor that was long overdue.