Link-O-Rama …
Live Nation goes on the defensive about the company's $120 million deal with Madonna - New York Post
Confused about the various reports on Amy Winehouse's health? This audio clip of her father talking to the press should clear everything up - BBC
So-called "King of Bling" jeweler to the stars of hip-hop and pop sentenced to 30 months in prison and fined $50,000 for providing false documents and statements - The Detroit News
You know that old saying about how music brings the world together? Peter Gabriel is actually doing it - Los Angeles Times (registration may be required)
Newsflash! Exposing pigs to classical music results could result in healthier pigs and tastier pork chops - New Scientist
Pandora founder Tim Westergren does the Q&A, talks about songs that inspired him - San Jose Mercury News (registration may be required)
Dates, Dates & More Dates …
The "Blue Note Records 70th Anniversary Tour" has a pretty solid schedule for the first few months of 2009. Featuring jazz artists like Bill Charlap, Peter Bernstein, Ravi Coltrane, Lewis Nash, Nicholas Payton, Peter Washington and Steve Wilson, the tour will be playing mostly theatres. Dates include January 7 in Yakima, WA; January 13 in Davis, CA; January 17 in Boulder, CO; February 17 in Boone, NC; and March 13 in Detroit.
John McLaughlin (the guitarist, not popster Jon) adds dates in Ireland, Romania, Turkey and the U.S. New listings include October 24 in Cork, Ireland; october 26 in Bucharest, Romania; October 30 in Istanbul, Turkey and April 30, 2009 in Boston.
Gin Blossoms update today with new stops for Atlantic City and Las Vegas. Look for the band playing the Tropicana Casino & Resort in Atlantic City on August 29, and Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Vegas on September 27.
And John Tesh slots an October run through eastern and midwest states. Newly posted shows include October 3 in York, PA; October 22 in Toledo, OH; and October 24 in Dearborn, MI.
During the past couple of hours we also updated the schedules for Sammy Hagar, Keiko Matsui, Kurt Elling, Kenny Garrett, Maria Schneider, Mogwai, Paul Weller, Time Again, Ray Davies and Sex Pistols.
And that's what Tuesday is like as we head into lunchtime on the Fresno coast. Don't miss Your Latest Update, coming up around 3 pm (PDT), from Pollstar.com!
This Day In Music History … (from Associated Press)
In 1960, the second Newport Folk Festival, produced by George Wein and Albert Grossman, opened in Rhode Island. Performers included Mahalia Jackson, Flatt and Scruggs and Joan Baez. Author Studs Terkel was the M.C.
In 1987, former Culture Club leader Boy George released his first solo album, Sold.
In 1990, Donnie Wahlberg of New Kids on the Block suffered cuts and bruises after falling through a stage trap door during a concert in Saratoga Springs, New York. Teenage fans besieged the hospital where he was treated.
In 1995, Neil Young filled in for Pearl Jam at a concert in San Francisco after lead singer Eddie Vedder quit after six songs because of the flu. Young had already been scheduled to perform as a guest at the show. He played for 90 minutes, mixing classics with songs from his latest album, Mirror Ball. The next day, Pearl Jam cancelled the remaining dates on its 15-city tour. The band cited scheduling difficulties caused by its dispute with Ticketmaster, which Pearl Jam accused of price gouging.