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)