PAOLO NUTINI AT HOUSE OF BLUES...

BACKSTAGE AT HOB SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2007

PAOLO NUTINI played HOUSE OF BLUES Saturday night. He has a very unique voice and put on an awesome show! Word is that he is the next big thing...the "next James Blunt". Some industry friends say that he is a year away from JAMES BLUNT status....Songs to check out include "NEW SHOES" and "LAST REQUEST".

ON THE TOWN....

I ran into ALLISON ALEXANDER and SHANNON O'BRIEN from 19 ACTION NEWS on Saturday night at LOLA. Allison is leaving her morning news anchor position and will be missed. She has filled in on our morning show and ranks in the top 3 on my all-time people to Starbucks with.

GABBY SOCCER PIX!

It seems like not that long ago, Gabby was just a lil girl who would rather pick the grass than kick a soccer ball. I can't help but notice how much she has grown up! Soccer has provided me so many special moments to watch my daughter shine. She has so much fun playing soccer and hangin' out with her friends. I snapped these pix at last night's practice....

The BROWNS were in Oakland on Sunday, but that didn't stop us from tailgating all over the city! A bunch of us took a bus all over Cleveland with stops at BROWNS STADIUM, KNOCKOUTS, SCOUNDRALS, and WESTPARK STATION. I had not spent any time at KAMM'S CORNER but I plan to be back a lot. I love that area! Especially the new PJ's Irish bar there.

Favorite bars....
HOTZ Cafe, Hooples, Westpark Station, Winking Lizard Pennisula.....

I'm always looking for fun bars to take the enterouge....list your suggestions on the comments section of the blog below.

STYLIN' AT NORDSTROM...

On Friday, Rebecca and I stopped by Nordstrom on their 10th anniversary. Friend of the show, FRAN BROUDA was there to keep us stylin'.....
CHRIS and KIM helped keep the day festive. CHRIS was shinin' shoes and KIM helped me try on EVERY pair of shoes in the store...


These were pretty cool, but I didn't have the guts to buy them!

Thank you to everyone at NORDSTROM for making our visit so much fun! We look forward to hangin' out again very soon!

PUT-IN BAY

SUE and I went to Put-In Bay over the weekend. These images were taken on the cruise to the island early Saturday evening.

LIL GIRL IS GROWIN' UP.....

I snapped this picture of my daughter Gabby on Saturday during our first ever games for our new soccer league. This picture really stood out to me because my lil girl is growin' up fast! She's only 8, but when I saw this picture, I couldn't help but see the young lady that she is fast becoming. My lil baby who once looked cute kickin' the soccer ball around, is now a soccer player. I'm so proud of who she is and what she has accomplished in her young life. I'm so very aware of this precious time and I breathe it in slowly every day. The game of soccer has provided me and my family with so many awesome moments...... Watching Gabby grow up from being a shy lil girl to a young lady having a blast with her friends playing a game has been, and continues to be priceless.

MARATHON MOM!

My wife Sue completed her first-ever half-marathon this past weekend. She has been training for the last several months and is in the best shape of her life. My daughter Gabby and I were at the finish line to greet her as she finished! I'm so proud of her and appreciate such an awesome role-model for our daughter.
At age 43, Sue rocked on Sunday in Berea!

BROWNIES OPEN SEASON........OY...

We may have lost the opener to the STEELERS on Sunday, but before the game, we had a blast in The Muni Lot! Mario and The BROWNSBACKERS put on quite the party! I have to admit, I was surprised the game was so rough...I expected a bit more. After one game, I already have this "wait til next year" vibe.....kinda like the last 7 years...I hope Brady Quinn gets the chance to show what he can do....but he needs more of a team to support him...Either way, we'll have a blast all season tailgatin'...and that's what it's all about, right???

THE RETURN TO FIRESTONE....

On Sunday, I played FIRESTONE's SOUTH COURSE for the third time. The South Course is the famous course where the PGA holds a tournament every year. As a golfer, it's a great thrill to play a course where EVERY major golfer who has played the game has played. My goal has been simple; to break 100 at Firestone on The South Course. Today, I missed a thirty-foot putt from off the green on the 18th hole that would have given me a 99 !
As I stood in the tee-box at the famous 18th hole, I knew I had to make par to break 100. After I posed for this pic, I proceeded to launch the ball to the left trees. I had gotten out of trouble and gave myself a shot at par with a long putt....but it missed....UGH! The "CURSE OF FIRSTONE" strikes again! On that same hole a few years ago, I stepped up to the tee-box needing only a 9 to break 100 .....would you believe I hit into the trees, tried to hit out, hit out again and totally torched the hole?!?!?! I missed a short 5-foot putt that would have given me a 99! Instead, I shot a 10 on the 18th hole!!!!! UGH!!!! I need to reverse the curse!
This is a view of the famous 18th hole at Firstone from the tee-box. The golf course is gorgeous and was in excellent shape today. Thanks to Lethargic Mark, Mike and Ron for all the laughs and good times on the course! Next time, I break 100......

STOMP Bike Ride in Summit County

My long time biking "wingman" Cindy and I tackled the STOMP bike ride on Saturday. STOMP is a 65-mile bike ride through the hilly terrain of Summit County and not far from where I live. Cindy and I have biked PEDAL TO THE POINT and have gone on several long rides on the several biking trails in the area.

The weather for the ride was spectacular. The scenery was gorgeous!

Our ride hit a snag when we came across this huge barn fire near Norton. Clearly this was the most excitement the area had seen in quite some time. Several people came out to watch and several emergency vehicles blocked our path.
After the 20-minute "fire break", we continued on and tackled as many of the difficult hills as we could. Because of our late start and my lack of training in July (injury), our ride came to an end at 52 miles. Although I am confident Cindy could have closed out the ride, we decided to call it and get support to take us the rest of the way. We made it 52 of the 65 miles. I am disappointd we did not finish and was surprised by a few of the HUGE hills. PEDAL TO THE POINT is a mostly flat ride. I feel like I should have been much better prepared for this ride. Overall, however, we had a blast. We laughed a lot....especially when the support team showed up......
Who knew they called the ride STOMP because it would "STOMP us....?

SEVEN YEARS AT Q104.....

When I arrived in Cleveland seven years ago, I had no idea I would end up co-hosting the morning show. It's been an exciting time in my life full of many great memories and challenges. In fact, when I started co-hosting the show a couple of years ago, I had no idea that the WILDE AND FEE show would grow in to what it is today. At the time, I figured I was just filling in until a new co-host for Rebecca arrived. My early time on the show was tough for me personally and I'm sure tougher for the listeners. It can be difficult accepting a new voice on to the radio in the morning. With a lot of strong support from my family and the people here at Q104, I have been given a chance of a lifetime. It is awesome to wake up and play on the radio each morning. Working with strong talent like Rebecca, Glenn and Nick and having support from an excellent managment team has made all the difference. Skppy's coaching and Chris Maduri (our big big boss) guidance have helped us grown into a a show we are proud of.
It's hard to believe it's been 7 years in Cleveland. The time has rolled quickly. Our show has built a wonderful following. The people we meet, who write in and call are awesome! They truly have been like a family to us.
Off air, life in Cleveland has been awesome. From starting a soccer league to taking full advantage of all that Northeast Ohio has to offer, it's been a great ride.....here's to seven more years!