This week on my show from 3pm-7pm on 97.9 the Loop and worldwide at www.wlup.com: win tickets to 3 great upcoming shows at Charter One Pavilion featuring Styx, REO Speedwagon and Shinedown at 5:05pm daily, tickets to Cinderella in the first 5 rows each day, chances to win Rush tickets as well as 4-packs of passes to the award winning Rush documentary "Beyond The Lighted Stage" and conversations with Chicago Blackhawks legends Stan Mikita this Tuesday at 6:30pm and Bobby Hull on Thursday at 5:30pm. Don't miss out!

(See Cinderella's video for "Gypsy Road" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j7E7pvLxmI)

(See the trailer for the Rush documentary "Beyond The Lighted Stage" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz48xbcw7rw)

(See the "History Will Be Made" NHL promo featuring Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita here: http://blackhawks.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=816&id=71119)

(See footage of the Blackhawks 1961 Stanley Cup victory featuring Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita here: http://blackhawks.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=816&id=12549)

(See a highlight reel of Blackhawks Hall Of Famer Bobby Hull here: http://blackhawks.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=816&id=3523)

(See a highlight reel of Blackhawks Hall Of Famer Stan Mikita here: http://blackhawks.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=816&id=3548)

Stanley Cup fever has officially gripped Chicago! This is how the West was won. It took only 4 games (and cost Hawks defenseman Duncan Keith 7 teeth), but our Blackhawks jumped the Sharks to win the Western Conference Finals and earn their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 18 years and a chance at their first Stanley Cup win since 1961. Unfortunately it doesn't appear like we'll get that Original 6 match up of the Chicago Blackhawks vs. Montreal Canadiens we were hoping for. Long-time Hawks fans were relishing the chance to wipe out the bad voodoo from heartbreaking losses to the Canadiens in the 1965 and 1971 finals with a victory this year. Nevertheless, GO HAWKS!!!

(See the Chicago Blackhawks clinch a 2010 Stanley Cup Finals playoff berth here: http://blackhawks.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?hlg=20092010,3,324)

(See Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks interviewed after the game here: http://blackhawks.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=690&id=70464)

The guys in Airbourne popped by my show Saturday afternoon before their set at the Riviera to say hello and share a few laughs. After spending nearly 3 months living in Chicago recording their new CD "No Guts, No Glory", the band became big fans of my show and the Loop and were beyond thrilled by the experience. Video of their visit will be posted on www.wlup.com soon. For those that missed the concert, you will get another chance to catch Australia's hottest new young band at the "Uproar Fest" August 21st at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre.

(See Airbourne perform "Runnin' Wild" live at the Riviera Theatre here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoUojTNz70E)

(See Airbourne's video for "Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkMZ6fV3T_0&feature=channel)

Earlier in the week on my show, I played a snippet of some new music Ronnie James Dio was working on before his untimely passing a week ago. With any luck, that material will see the light of day as an official release soon.

(See Ronnie James Dio's last interview here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXTL6EqHqkc&feature=related)

This week on show from 3pm-7pm on 97.9 The Loop and worldwide at www.wlup.com: Win 4-packs of Chicago White Sox tickets daily at 5:05pm and chances to win 4-packs of passes to Arlington Park, a VIP parking pass and 2 spots in my Baggo contest where you could win $500 as well! Conversations with Michael Anthony of Chickenfoot this Tuesday at 3:30pm and Blackhawks legend Tony Esposito this Thursday at 5:30pm. Don't miss out!

(See Chickenfoot's video for "Sexy Little Thing" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeqpRvFaCtI)

(See Chickenfoot's video for "Soap On A Rope" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7OqQPFfOfA&feature=channel)

(See Chickenfoot's video for "My Kinda Girl" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-cZcYwnEXw&feature=channel)

(See a highlight reel of Chicago Blackhawks legend Tony Esposito here: http://blackhawks.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=816&id=3527)

One of rock's greatest and yet somehow tragically underrated front men Ronnie James Dio lost his battle with cancer early Sunday morning ending a brilliant and varied career that spanned an incredible 6 decades. Ronnie logged time in huge outfits like Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, and had a prolific solo run as well as helping to popularize the now ubiquitous "metal horns" hand gesture. He was 67.

Truly one of rock's "good guys", Ronnie and I shared many laughs over the years. My experience was by no means exclusive, however. Ronnie was hands down one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever met, especially with his many fans. I feel very fortunate to have known him. Thanks for all the great music Ronnie. You will truly be missed, but never forgotten.

This Monday from 3pm-7pm on my show, tune in for a special tribute to Ronnie James Dio featuring music from his storied career, as well as never before heard interview segments from my personal archives.

(See Ronnie James Dio perform "Rainbow In The Dark" live here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUXSTY9AW-s)

(See Ronnie James Dio's video for "The Last In Line" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV4Tov1GBM&feature=related)

(See Ronnie James Dio perform "Man On The Silver Mountain" live with Rainbow here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFH36je9Hro)

(See Ronnie James Dio in Black Sabbath's video for "Neon Knights" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhe1SuBGkiA)

(See Ronnie James Dio's last performance in Chicago August 19, 2009 at Charter One Pavilion performing "The Mob Rules" with Heaven & Hell here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KZd3HwB8Xk)

(See photographs of Ronnie James Dio during his final trip to Chicago here: http://www.wlup.com/airstaff/byrd/ronnioJamesDio.aspx)

This past Thursday night, Ratt and the Loop packed the Cubby Bear in Wrigleyville to celebrate the release of Ratt's new CD "Infestation." Looking and sounding remarkably refreshed, Ratt proceeded to lay waste to the capacity crowd of Loyal Loopers with a heady mixture of their classics as well as selections from their return-to-form latest.

(See Ratt perform "Round And Round" live at the Cubby Bear here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_dvVFyZOSE)

This Tuesday from 3pm-7pm, join me as I broadcast my show live from the Nickelback/Shinedown/Breaking Benjamin show at the Allstate Arena. In addition, the members of Shinedown will be joining me on the air at 5:30pm. See you there!

(See Nickelback's video for "Burn It To The Ground" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxgeSv88c2w&feature=related)

(See Nickelback's video for "Too Bad" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3E7_8FWqY9o)

(See Nickelback's video for "Rock Star" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1hgVcNzvzY&feature=related)

(See Shinedown's video for "Devour" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QXNtLaOnSE)

Also this week on show from 3pm-7pm on 97.9 The Loop and worldwide at www.wlup.com: Win tickets to Ozzfest 2010 featuring Ozzy Osbourne, Motley Crue, Rob Halford, Black Label Society, and many more each day at 5:05pm, tickets to Alice In Chains each day as well as conversations with Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon this Friday at 6:30pm and Airbourne this Saturday at 4:30pm.

(See Airbourne's video for "No Way But The Hard Way" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DHHv5OuEzY)

(See Airbourne's video for "Runnin' Wild" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2IyX5LXGyg)