As promised, here are the totals from the 4th annual "Byrd For Birds" food drive. This year another 10 tons of food and more than $5,000 in cash donations were donated by Loyal Loopers... enough to provide meals for some 33,000 Chicagoans in need! As you might imagine in these times of economic challenges, the Greater Chicago Food Depository is being called upon to provide meals for significantly more people than in past years. If you were unable to get by the Merchandise Mart with a donation, but would still like to contribute a frozen turkey, non-perishable food item or simply to donate some money to have these items purchased in your name, you can contact the Greater Chicago Food Depository directly at 773-247-FOOD or log onto www.chicagosfoodbank.org.

Once again, my heartfelt thanks to the Loyal Loopers who took the time to share with others and my fellow Loop staffers who helped make it all possible again this year. You guys and gals are the best!

This Saturday, the hottest holiday show of them all, Trans Siberian Orchestra makes their triumphant return to the Allstate Arena for 2 shows at 2pm and 7pm. Both shows are nearly sold out, so grab your tickets while you still can through www.wlup.com! I will be broadcasting live from 2pm-6pm Saturday afternoon from the venue. Stop by and say hello!

(See a sample of the Trans Siberian Orchestra's incredible performances here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR3CKEC3lbs)

This week on my show from 6am-10am: Win Trans Siberian Orchestra tickets and much more contained in each "Byrd's Santa Sack", and a sampling of Christmas music releases that rock Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning!

Nothing like a "Sunday crunch" at the House Of Blues to cap the weekend. Shinedown and Halestorm aimed straight for the bread-basket and left the sold-out crowd begging for more Sunday night. The bonus? Vocalists Brent Smith of Shinedown and Lzzy Hale of Halestorm couldn't be nicer people.

(See Shinedown perform "Devour" Live at the House Of Blues here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzNSV6Wx2vA)

(See Halestorm's video for their song "I Get Off" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l14naR3dJQ)

Long hinting at their love for rock music and it's cast of characters, the creators of the Muppets have outdone themselves this time. Somewhere, Freddie Mercury is laughing too.

(See The Muppets video for their version of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGlTzt24Izw)

This week on my show from 6am-10am: win "Byrd's Santa Sack" each day containing Trans Siberian Orchestra tickets, the Loop Rock Girl 2010 calendar, and 5 different CD's or DVD's. Conversations with Rob Halford of Judas Priest this Monday at 7:30am and Dee Snider of Twisted Sister on Wednesday at 9:30am.

This week marks the 30th anniversary of a by now legendary Loop show featuring The Who live at the old International Amphitheatre on December 8th, 1979. The band's first tour after the death of their incendiary drummer Keith Moon (who was the inspiration for the Muppets character "Animal") and only days after the Cincinnati tragedy, it was a pivotal moment for the godfathers of punk. Long bootlegged, a majority of this must-see show has finally been officially released on DVD as part of the special 3-disc "Amazing Journey: The Story Of The Who" documentary exclusively available at Best Buy. This Tuesday (December 8th) at 7:30am, I will be playing a two-fer from the show to commemorate the occasion.

(See The Who perform "5:15" live at the International Amphitheatre in 1979 here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asORtoHRGqE)

(See Animal and jazz legend Buddy Rich face off in a "drum battle" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bX7j9Sv8n0)

If Keith Moon and Animal had been lead singers instead of drummers, they would likely have been something like Jesse James Dupree of Jackyl. The guys in Jackyl "destroyed" Tailgaters in Bolingbrook this past Friday night. Literally.

(See Jackyl perform "The Lumberjack" live at Tailgaters here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llKKUXLK0tU)

This week on my show from 6am-10am : Conversations with Scott Stapp of Creed on Wednesday at 8:30am and Brent Smith of Shinedown this Friday at 9:30am. Win REO Speedwagon, Lisa Lampanelli, and Avatar movie premiere tickets as well as "Public Enemies" on DVD. Don't miss out!