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  Award-Winning Charlotte Restaurant Mert's Heart and Soul May 27th, 2008 Posted by Hunter Wilson

  Charlotte, NC " This July Mert"s Heart and Soul, the restaurant with the motto of “Good food, Good Friends, C’mon In,” turns 10. For owner and executive chef James Bazzelle, the anniversary is a time of celebration and reflection on Charlotte’s growing community. “I can’t believe it’s been 10 years,” says Bazzelle. “It seems like only yesterday that we opened. My wife Renee and I, along with our entire family, are so thankful for the opportunity to serve the Charlotte community and for all the great people we’ve met along the way.” Bazzelle says that the increasing foot traffic in Uptown Charlotte and the growing Carolinas region has helped to attract a number of faithfuls to the restaurant. One of these people is Bob Peaseley. He has been a weekly patron since 1998 and says that the good food and down-home feel at Mert’s is what keeps him wanting more. “Mert"s is a friendly place where everyone knows your name," says Peaseley. "In the 10 years I"ve been going, I"ve never left hungry." The support of the local community is what drives Bazzelle to use Mert"s to give back. The restaurant is a frequent supporter of civic causes, including helping several area high school students find their niche in culinary arts and sponsorship of events such as Belmont Center Public Library’s annual "May Festival"; Metrolia AIDS Project’s "AIDS Awareness Gospel Explosion"; and Athletes United For Youth. Kutricia Spann, Library Supervisor for the Belmont Center Public Library and Jeff Hood, Executive Director of Athletes United For Youth, say that Bazzelle and his wife have been among their strongest supporters. “James has been a great supporter of our non-profit charity, Athletes United,” says Hood. "He very much understands that it’s important for him to support those who are living in less fortunate or underserved communities, especially our community’s youth. I can’t thank him enough for his support over the past 8 years.” Spann echoes these sentiments. “James and Renee have been long-time supporters of the Belmont Center Public Library,” she says. “They came to our branch library 10 years ago and asked to lend their support. The staff at the Belmont Center library is truly grateful for their service and commitment to the community.” Bazzelle says that he looks forward to serving Charlotte through Mert’s for another 10 years and beyond. “There have been so many people who have walked through our doors over the years,” he says. “I’ve literally seen some of my customers get married and start families. This is a great time to be in Charlotte." Mert’s Heart and Soul will host its 10-Year Anniversary Celebration at The Green Market in Uptown Charlotte on Saturday, June 7th from 11:00AM " 1:00PM. Cooking demonstrations, food samples, music, and culinary activities for kids will be part of the festivities. 

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  The Pub at Gateway One Year Anniversary May 20th, 2008 Posted by Hunter Wilson

  The Pub at Gateway Celebrates One Year Anniversary The walls that make up The Pub at Gateway have seen a lot of names over the years. Only one has stuck and succeeded for over a year. To celebrate their success over this past year The Pub is bringing Sara Underwood to Charlotte to party at the Pub on May 31st! The 2007 Playmate of the Year and one of the stars on Girls Next Door, Sara Underwood will be at the Pub signing autographs, hanging out with customers, taking pictures, and more" Ill leave that up to your imagination. The Pub"s One Year Anniversary Party with Sara Underwood will be sold out quickly. Tickets are and VIP tables are still available. Get in touch with The Pub via their Myspace page at www.Myspace.com/thepubatgateway. There will be special guest DJs and Kiss 95.1. Over the past year The Pub has packed its bar on Tuesday night for "Torn Up Tuesdays", their college night with cheap drinks and live DJs. Its busy pretty much all night on Tuesday and continues to grow. As the summer rolls around the patio outside on Trade St. is becoming a popular spot for JWU students after class and bar goers at night. Come out after work and score a half-priced appetizer Monday through Friday 4-7pm. The Pub has a new menu featuring a variety of burgers and delicious appetizers. Friday Nights The Pub kick off one hell of a weekend with .50 cent drafts! That is far and beyond the cheapest drinks in town. Swing by and we will see you there!

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  WILD REPORT: LIT STICK OF SMOKIN DYNAMITE May 20th, 2008 Posted by Hunter Wilson

  Chris Sullivan is a man who knows what it takes to establish greatness. All these years, he has never been afraid to work hard and go after it. From the very first time I saw him, Chris made a true believer out of me. I knew instantly he was destined for success. “One artist in particular brings up the end, with class. That would be the lit stick of smokin" dynamite you experience in Front man and Guitarist Chris Sullivan, whose raw magnetism and smooth vocals have the audience practically on their knees, at his feet.” “And to think…It all started with a KISS t-shirt, a few chords and the truth…..” As you read the quotes above, you"re given a piece of “wylder history”..words I wrote about Chris Sullivan in what seems a lifetime ago. Chris was my very first (musician) friend here when I hit the Charleston Rock scene…as I said, many many moons ago. At the time, I was writing music reviews for a Country radio station and while my heart is with the genre, something inside me was longing to rock. I sat at the bar when this intimidating leather-vested, tattooed gent approached and complimented me on my KISS t-shirt. I have to laugh now as I reflect on how menacing I thought he looked. When he took the stage all of that “bad boy image” melted away and the lights shone on a man who had pure, raw, flat-out talent. The whole band did—-I absolutely loved them and we so we began to work together. Time often has a way of separating friends. People get busy. Days and years fly by. Though I haven"t gone to support him in way too long, I"ve been there in spirit. You see, I may slack off but I never forget a person who has touched my life. Especially musically. So this article has been a long, long time coming. Chris Sullivan shed that bad boy image (somewhat) and struck out on his own as a solo act, performing his Rock and Americana original music all over town several nights a week. He traded that mic he once chipped a tooth on (while throwing it all around the rockin" stage).....for a stool and a much more elegant setting…one that is more befitting of him. He is a singer-songwriter who knows all about class. Tonight at the Palmetto Acoustic series he proved that again. His dedicated friend/manager Angie and I took our places in the front row and I tried not to focus on that psychedelic backdrop. It was making me dizzy and if I looked at it too long, I may have gotten hypnotized. But what was truly hypnotic is the fact that after all this time, Chris Sullivan has still “got it”...exactly what it takes. What makes the acoustic series really unique is the way we, the audience, get to see a more personal side to the music. The songwriter tells his or her story of what led to each song. Chris says most of his songs are about relationships…failed ones mostly, he jokes. He says, “I guess that is why we are musicians. We get to get up here and cry and moan about it”..and everyone laughed. But to me, after the many showcases I have seen like this one, I don"t see a whole lot of crying"What I see is what is in the writer’s heart and how it touches people. The three performers treated us to lyrically driven music that was from the heart. Chris opened up the night with an old favorite “Unaware”. I, myself, a usually pretty tough cookie, was reduced to tears TWICE during Sullivan"s set. The first time was when he did “Girl Without a Name”. This is a song written about a small town girl who gets lost in the big city…Truly lost in every sense. New in town, she feels as if she is a “walking ghost…just a face in the crowd…with nothing cool to say….” Any one of us, ever new to town could relate to that tune for sure. The most moving part of the night came later, however. “Coat Pocket” is a song written for his son when he was around six years of age. (His son is now age 20 and serving our country in Korea). The proud father would carry the picture in his coat pocket…right next to his heart. Sullivan explains the song is about memories of people who are not physically there with you. His music gave me some time with my own grown child who is far away now…and yeah, I cried. He continued to remark how nice it was to be in this unique setting—where he is used to smoky bars, this time he had a truly “captive” audience. With his new EP “Devil"s Advocate” due out soon, Chris Sullivan fans will be anything but “captive”. He let the folks in the room preview just one song off the album. They really enjoyed it. He said that “Ride” would show his Springsteen influence. But to this writer, I heard only Pure Sullivan. He said a lot of his songs are about running away….but ya know what I think" I think they are more about running TO something: Running to something that is bigger then his wildest dream. Good luck, old friend! This is Jaden Wylder and THAT"s your Wild Report for what"s cool in the Carolina Nightlife! For more info, please visit www.youngsullivan.com Jaden would LOVE to hear from you!

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  WILD REPORT: a Groovy Scene: PALMETTO ACOUSTIC SERIES May 19th, 2008 Posted by Hunter Wilson

  It is so great that Charleston can be home to so much fantastic musical enrichment and also a perfect second home to our artistic neighbors across this fine country. The Palmetto Acoustic series operates out of the Communications Museum on the C of C campus. After all of my time (in radio), I am almost ashamed to admit I never visited this place. Always wanted to-never did. Last night, I was fascinated with all of the communications gadgets and memorabilia the museum displays. It created a perfect backdrop for the evening of acoustic music. The series brings together singer-songwriters showcasing their original music and all shows are free. It is a very nice, classy alternative to the noisy, chaotic, and often inebriated bar room scene…“The venue is truly unique and intimate and blends well with the museum setting. Each show features singer/songwriters performing an hour of their original music. Artists enjoy this performance space as it allows them to connect with the audience without distraction, says Director Madeline Evans. I visited the Palmetto Acoustic series last night because I wanted to support my extremely talented friend, Chris Sullivan. I left there with two more. Jason Luckett and Teresa Storch impressed me with what is so evidentially solidified in their souls. The room overflowed with an elite bunch: Music lovers, melded together in an intimate setting, surrounded by this other-earthly force…an immediate connection we all felt deep in this small room—as we celebrated the beauty of life, the gifts we were given, and our mutual love of acoustic guitar. The setting was one that can only be described as “groovy”. Fresh baked brownies and a screen that displayed a psychedelic rainbow of rolling amoeba-like kaleidoscope of color provided a good touch to the mood of the room. I have always enjoyed this kind of tribute to the singer-songwriter, for they are indeed the painters whose creative dreams bring to the life the colorful canvas of music. Reminiscent of Nashville or Bourbon Street, we truly need more of that in Charleston. I love girls with guitars.  Teresa, with the voice of an angel, had this uniquely cute way about her on stage. I am stumped for another way to describe her except to say that the woman who repeatedly remarked, “Music! I love my life!!” certainly made the right choice when she put 40,000 miles on her car each year touring the nation to share it with others. Teresa, who earned an engineering degree and was sitting in her physics lab one day when she became moved to begin song-writing, is on a mission. She is delivering her own personal message to the world through her gift: “People can be whatever they want to be” (if they put their minds and hearts to it). While I am sad to see her go, I think the people she reaches are in for a real treat. Go get ‘em Girl! Jason….well, wherever do I start with Jason" There were (at least) three things that amazed this writer about him. 1. For artists who had never met, it was as if Sullivan (largely influenced by Bruce Springsteen) and Luckett were destined to cross paths. His song “Looking for Bruce” was awesome, a song born of a road trip to Asbury Park, the Home of the Boss. 2. The way the whole vibe in the room changed when he broke out that harmonica and played simultaneously with the acoustic guitar. It was quite the sight to see! He rocked the room with “Fortification Street” a really cool story song about family in New Orleans. Jason’s whole aura amused and delighted me.  3. I think the primary thing I noticed was that he has this great smile that never ever leaves his face while he performs. His music and his whole attitude are so positive and uplifting, I wish we all had more time in that room. You"re not the ONLY one with a “crazy curly head”, Jason! “One artist in particular brings up the end, with class. That would be the lit stick of smokin" dynamite you experience in Front man and Guitarist Chris Sullivan, whose raw magnetism and smooth vocals have the audience practically on their knees, at his feet.” “And to think…It all started with a KISS t-shirt, a few chords and the truth…..” Huh"—*Please insert sound of screeching brakes here*—Where is she going with this"" This certainly seems out of place here. Ha-ha, I"m messin" with y"all again. Please read the following article and it will all become crystal clear. For Chris Sullivan is THEE reason I came to the series in the first place. Which is why he gets his very own Wild Report! The Palmetto Acoustic series takes place twice a month from 8-10pm and is located at 59 George Street downtown. For more info on the music of these 3 wonderful people, a schedule of upcoming events or a link for artists interested in possibly becoming involved in the series, please contact me via my page and I will put you in touch!! http:www.myspace.com/sweet_jaden This is Jaden Wylder and THAT"s your Wild Report for what"s cool in the Carolina NightLife! Enjoy!!!

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  2008 FOOD LION SPEED STREET May 14th, 2008 Posted by Hunter Wilson

  The fourteenth annual Food Lion Speed Street is racing into uptown on Thursday, May 22 until Saturday, May 24th bringing cars, stars and guitars. In addition to celebrating NASCAR"s strong regional heritage, the event will assist in promoting Charlotte and its surrounding communities. Known as the world"s largest race festival, this three day, free event will arguably generate more excitement than any other single event in Charlotte during the month of May. This year"s event will feature past NASCAR Champions, a NASCAR artist, NASCAR Pit Crews and even a fitness guru. With over 29 scheduled appearances, Food Lion Speed Street will be the place to be for autographs and a chance to meet your favorite driver. It is the only event of its kind in the area with crowds in excess of 400,000 from all over the country. Get up close and personal to seventeen different Sprint Cup drivers and grab some free give aways from all of the sponsors. The event will span several city blocks along Tryon Street from 4th Street to 7th Street; from 7th Street to College Street and 8th Street to Brevard. The event will play host to three stages and a vast array of other activities from sponsors such as Food Lion, Coca-Cola, Miller Lite, Budweiser, Chevrolet and General Mills. Every year the festival falls right in between the Sprint All-Star Race and the Coca-Cola 600 attracting more and more drivers for appearances and autographs. May 22: Danielle Peck Gary Allen Jagged Edge The Landsharks May 23: Flyleaf Seether Kellie Pickler KISS Army May 24: Chevelle Travis Tritt Maria Howell For more info visit www.600Festival.com

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  WILD REPORT: A WYLD TRIP TO CLOUD 9 May 13th, 2008 Posted by Hunter Wilson

  Ever wonder why the sky is blue" Or what it must be like to be a cloud" To see what only a cloud can see way up there" I think it would be really cool to be a cloud. You could be all scary to people. You could make them wet at your will. You could spend lazy days floating around…just hangin" out while people below look up at you in awe. Gazing upon you or trying to read what your shape looks like in their mind"s eye. Oh! But to be on CLOUD 9!!!!! The Beatles and the Temptations did music about being on cloud nine. Gospel songs and Willie himself have done tunes about the “uncloudy day”.  And now I am here to tell you what an experience with Cloud 9 is all about. There is a caliginous cloud that occasionally shadows Charleston. When it happens, the town is in a true state of elated bliss. Those are the days when dually-based Charlotte and Charleston-frequented band Cloud 9 takes us on a wild trip to their heavenly ground. The group is planning more frequent trips to this area (both as a band and as an acoustic Wade & Stacy duo). When they"re here, it is an experience y"all most definitely want to be a part of! During a recent night rocking downtown Wild Wing, the storm that is Cloud 9 hit us in full spasmodic force. As they took the stage with their anthem song “Word Up"C-l-o-u-d-9”, the night began with a bang. From the first song, the order directed, “All freaks please report to the dance floor”"the crowd obeyed and that is where they remained all night long. They take what they call their Island Brand (hint: new apparel line) of raucous rock & roll and blend it with a sleek dance groove that creates really a thunderous jolt within anyone who goes to see them. Even the shyest wallflower could not possibly sit still in the company of Cloud 9. People love their C-9 fix. If you don’t believe ME, then be sure to ask their good friends in PLANE JANE!! Those boys all came out—strolled on in to Wild Wing—to show their support as well.  As C-9 broke into one song, a woman up front began to scream. Meanwhile, the “star” of the dance floor was Jonathan. He was a break-dancing and pole-dancing King, his pants overflowing with dollar bills. His reign on the dance floor was a funny one. When Cloud 9 is around, it is always so much fun just like this. They are just that good!! Both their original music or the twist they do on popular rock covers are the very finest.  It"s simple to see why front man Stacy Hansen gets more chicks to throw their panties at him then Englebert Humperdink or Tom Jones! I"m just kidding, as he is a married man…but…what is it about him that makes him one of the most terrific performers I have ever seen" Is it his powerful vocal range"" Or is it his intense energy as he jumps around, all hot & sweaty….that makes all the girls want to join him singing onstage" That man has charisma. Or is it Steve Lynch, looking all cute back there on percussions but never ever “the shy one” in the background"" Or could it be….Tim, my fellow “hat freak” ripping’ it up on bass" Perhaps it’s Tommy Phillips on drums….Ya know how we love guys who bang…and Tommy is one of the best drummers out there. OR…is it the unique charm of guitarist Wade Drye who provides the magic that tops it all off" Seriously, though, if you’re a guy, you"ll want to see them just to check out the females this band draws like a baby to the nipple!! Or if you’re a girl like me, grab some of your friends and come out to shake your booties.  Men and women alike can just come out to hear and see for yourself a band who I feel is musically, the absolute Cream of the Crop….Their chemistry blends so perfectly and their talent is so different then a lot of what I have seen. I can see why Tommy refers to them as family. And as their adopted sister, I can tell you this: Our family knows how to party! Come join us. Future Forecast: Totally Cloudy…and that is VERY good news for Charleston. Very good news indeed. This is Jaden Wylder and THAT’s your Wild Report for what’s cool in Carolina NightLife!! Enjoy!! For more info on the band and their schedule: send me a comment…I’d love to hear from you.

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