Overnight Sensation …

The future of the entire free world depends on you reading the following items scheduled to post between now and early tomorrow.

Ringo’s All Starrs Celebrate No. 10 – Colin Hay, Billy Squier, Hamish Stuart, Edgar Winter, Gary Wright and Gregg Bissonette join the ex-Beatle for another summer of hits.

The Raconteurs Spring Surprise Attack – The band drops Consolers of the Lonely with only a week’s lead time.

Link-O-Rama …

Apple reportedly in discussions with labels about giving music away for free in exchange for higher priced iPods and iPhones – Financial Times (registration might be required)

Fired cops indicted for pulling guns on country singer Steve Holy – Associated Press

Fox Searchlight Pictures to begin shooting film about Notorious B.I.G. – The New York Times (registration may be required)

Couple donate $55 million to University of Texas music school – Houston Chronicle / Associated Press

Converse to sell Kurt Cobain-themed sneakers – The Times Online U.K.

Catching up with Ray Davies – The Australian

Dates, Dates & More Dates …

Chris Cagle made it in just under the wire this afternoon with a massive update listing new gigs for April through September. Among the cities listed are Sanford (Florida) and Conway (Arkansas) for April, Columbus (Ohio) and Jackson (New Jersey) for May, Baton Rouge (Louisiana) in June, Wichita (Kansas) in July, Walla Walla (Washington) in August and Puyallup (Washington) in September.

Diane Schuur plays Japan during the last week of April. Come May it’s California with four nights at L.A.’s Catalina Bar & Grill. In the summer the artist plays Michigan’s Mackinac Island on August 30 and next year look for her in places like Austin, TX, Naples, FL, and Philadelphia.

The Raconteurs are coming to your town! That is, if your town is on the schedule. The illustrious team of Jack White, Brendan Benson, Patrick Keeler and Jack Lawrence hit clubs, theatres and festivals in April, May, June and July. Stops include Vancouver, BC, Denver, CO, Austin, TX, New Orleans, LA, plus Euro Festivals like Hove, T in the Park and Oxegen.

Finally, Metallica squeezes a few more dates out of their Euro calendar. Like July 20 in Latvia, August 14 in France and August 17 in Switzerland.

During the day we also updated the schedules for Bonnie Raitt, Celine Dion, Buddy Guy, The Futureheads, BoDeans, Cory Morrow, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Rhino Bucket, The Bellamy Brothers, Super 400, Norton Buffalo, Carrie Underwood, Deanna Bogart, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, John Waite, Survivor, Vince Neil, WAR, Richard Marx, Shout Out Louds, Oleta Adams, Rev. Billy C. Wirtz, Porcupine Tree, Zen Tricksters, Hamilton Loomis, Popa Chubby and all the bands and artists whose dates are worth posting. Plus some who aren’t.

And that’s a wrap for this fine, fine Tuesday. Stay strong. G’night.