If we’re not around much over the next couple of weeks, it’s because we’re off enjoying the holidays with our loved ones. We hope you’re all doing the same. Have a glorious holiday season and we’ll see y’all next year for Season 35 of Austin City Limits!

I may have waxed rhapsodic about this weekend’s Crowded House show before, so I’ll be brief. It’s a great show, beautifully performed, a great mix of old and new material and a testament to the songwriting wonder of Neil Finn. Even if you’re not familiar with CH, or think you don’t like them, I recommend tuning in to this encore episode. It’s one of the best we’ve ever done, and I don’t say that lightly (especially after the incredible season we’ve had this year). Check it out if you haven’t before, and see it again if you have - you won’t be sorry.

Seems like there’s lots of news lately about ACL alumni. Here are some of the things we’re hearing about:

Congratulations to our ACL alumni with Grammy nominations this year (and apologies to anyone I might have missed): Coldplay, John Mayer, Alison Krauss, BB King, Robert Plant, Brad Paisley, Neil Young, Gnarls Barkley, Sheryl Crow, Buddy Guy, George Strait, Earl Scruggs, Emmylou Harris, Dr. John, My Morning Jacket, Jason Mraz, Brooks & Dunn, Ricky Skaggs, Duffy, Kings of Leon, Taj Mahal, Trisha Yearwood, Rodney Crowell, the Del McCoury Band, Juanes, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Pinetop Perkins, Ry Cooder, Stanley Jordan, Grupo Fantasma, Joan Baez, Death Cab For Cutie, Marcia Ball, Bruce Hornsby, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the Raconteurs, Patty Loveless, Martina McBride, Ruben Ramos, Keith Urban, Lee Ann Womack, Pat Metheny, Trace Adkins, Randy Travis, Irma Thomas, Vince Gill, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Beausoleil, Kathy Mattea, Steve Wariner, Aimee Mann and Thievery Corporation. Whew!