Tipping his hat to the song that started it all. Wyatt Flores is gracing the stage at one of the most prestigious music programs, the Austin City Limits stage. And no, not the festival. Austin City Limits is now in its 50th season and is the longest-running music series in American television history. The PBS program is filmed at Austin, Texas’ Moody Theater and showcases popular music legends and innovators from every genre. Austin City Limits, while it featured a wide variety of genres, has always done a stellar job of spotlighting the heart and soul of the Texas music scene, country music. From Willie Nelson to Merle Haggard and more, countless legends have performed on the ACL stage. And now the baton is being passed to the new generation of country music pioneers, with Wyatt Flores making his long-awaited ACL debut. Hailing from Stillwater, Oklahoma, Wyatt Flores is leading the next generation of red dirt artists with his vulnerable, authentic songwriting that tackles heavy topics like mental health and navigating life as a 20-something. While Flores has many recognizable songs in his catalog today, like “Break My Bones,” “Life Lessons,” and “Oh Susannah,” Flores will always hold a special place in his heart for the song that got his music career off the ground. “Please Don’t Go” was Flores’ second career single, released in July of 2022, and is easily his most recognized song, having racked up over 245 million streams on Spotify alone. The RIAA Platinum single details the heartbreaking tale of a narrator who is faced with the thoughts of a loved one taking their life. The narrator is urging their loved one to stay despite the deep, dark struggles they are facing. The anthem was a peek into Flores’ powerful songwriting, addressing the mental health crisis head-on, and he’s continued to make that a focal point of his career. Over the summer, “Please Don’t Go” turned three years old, leading Flores to reflect on how his fans feel so connected to the heartbreaking lyrics. “Little did I know this song would put me on the map career wise. Little did I know that these words would mean so much to y’all and have such an impact on people’s lives. Y’all scream this song back to me every night and I am forever grateful for that experience, but I must add it feels even better to know I’m not alone with my thoughts. I would always have those songs that pulled me through the days and tough nights, and I always wanted to be that for someone else. I wanted to have that song that you’d be blare three times before you’d get out of your car after work. It’s crazy to me that I’ve gotten to be a small part in a lot of people’s lives, and I only hope that this song helps others with their struggles. You are not alone, you are not broken, and there are brighter days ahead.” To accompany his heartfelt words, Flores shared a throwback picture of his unconventional yet effective marketing tactics for the breakout single. Freshly 21, Wyatt’s pictured holding up a sign on Broadway and in what looks like a college classroom, created with a Sharpie, a QR code, and a dream. View this post on Instagram Flores has never stopped showing his gratitude for what “Please Don’t Go” did for him professionally, and that feeling carried over into his Austin City Limits debut. Ahead of his taping airing, Whiskey Riff is proud to present an exclusive preview of his ACL debut, showcasing his performance of “Please Don’t Go.” For his ACL performance, Flores closed out his set with up the sober acoustic guitar melody, signaling to the audience that he was revisiting the song that launched his career. The audience hoots and hollers before he dives into the lyrics of the single. Flores boldly delivers the lyrics, conveying hurt in his voice and bringing them to life. “Times are gettin’ hard Hits you like a bullet through your heart Been tearin’ me apart And it’s killin’ you, I know Said, ‘Won’t you stay with me? I can’t keep goin’ if you leave’ Ain’t how it’s supposed to be So please don’t go” Near the end of the song, Flores opened the floor for the crowd to sing a portion of the chorus back to him, which they powerfully sang back to him. I am sure performing this track on the ACL stage was a full-circle moment for Flores. From having to take steps away from music at times to prioritize his mental health, to thriving and sharing a song about the importance of checking in on your friends and advocating for them to push through the darkness, is powerful beyond words. Check it out: Flores’ ACL episode premieres Saturday, January 24 at 8 pm CST/9 pm EST. Sharing the hour with the Oklahoma native is the South Carolina sensation Marcus King, who is also making his long-awaited ACL debut. King features songs from his latest LP, Darling Blue, during his set. The soulful melodies, and red-dirt anthems featured on Flores’ Welcome To The Plains, create a perfect program. This is not an episode you’ll want to miss.The post EXCLUSIVE: Wyatt Flores Revisits The Song That Started It All, “Please Don’t Go,” At Austin City Limits Debut first appeared on Whiskey Riff.