Working for the weekend …

What does it take to keep a dedicated staff whose sole purpose is to provide weekend content for a site such as this one? Above average pay is a plus. Also good health insurance, a decent working environment and the occasional perk, such as free concert tickets or bottles of cheap gin, work wonders when it comes to managing writers. And whips. Can’t forget whips. Especially when it comes to prepping the following items scheduled to post this weekend.

Saturday: Dex Bubbles Up – Former Flat Duo Jets frontman Dex Romweber steps into the spotlight with a new album and tour.

A.KA., Bob Pollard’s New Band – The band is called Boston Spaceships but it’s partially guided by voices .

Sunday: Eddy Grant’s Global Tour – It’s a great summer for Eddy Grant fans. A new anthology CD and a tour!

Saw Doctors Goes East – The folk-rockers from Ireland hit the music festivals on America’s East Coast.

Monday: Ray Davies Unplugged – The former frontman for The Kinks hits North America for a handful of acoustic shows.

Bryan Adams And Pals – The Canadian rocker has a busy summer planned that includes solo shows and co-headlining runs with Foreigner and Rod Stewart.

Next week our HotStar is Lady Antebellum

Link-O-Rama …

Former torrent site administrator convicted of felony copyright infringement – The New York Times (registration may be required)

It will be up to audiences to enforce Rhode Island’s Truth In Music Advertising Act – The Providence Journal

MTV’s Video Music Awards isn’t ruling out another Britney Spears appearance – Associated Press

Activision launches Aerosmith version of “Guitar Hero.” – Reuters

Kylie Minogue to receive Order of the British Empire honor next week – The Western Australian

Having trouble getting concert tickets for your favorite bands and artists? Here’s a few simple, but effective tips – Lawrence Journal-World

Dates, Dates & More Dates …

Patti LaBelle adds a stop in Country Club Hills, IL, at the Country Club Hills Theatre for August 30. Other new dates include Austin, TX, at Long Center For The Performing Arts and December 13 in Garland, TX, at Special Events Center.

Alter Bridge takes it overseas this fall. New dates include November 7 in Norwich, U.K., November 19 in Stockholm, Sweden, and November 27 in Vienna, Austria.

Sevendust updates this afternoon with a few new August club and theatre dates. Like August 1 in Philly at Theatre Of The Living Arts; August 2 in Cincinnati at Bogart’s; August 5 in Lake Buena Vista, FL, at House Of Blues and August 6 in Atlanta, GA, at The Tabernacle.

And Bow Wow slots Tulsa, OK, for a August 10 gig at Cain’s Ballroom. Other additions incude August 11 in Denver at Ogden Theatre and August 21 in Sterling Heights, MI, at Freedom Hill Amphitheatre.

During the day we also updated the schedules for John Mellencamp, Paul Weller, Kenny G, Chris Botti, Michael McDonald, Bob Newhart, Alicia Keys, The Duke Robillard Band, Paula Poundstone, Natalie Cole, John Prine, Nicole Atkins, Hayley Westenra, Zucchero, Michael McDermott, Maria Muldaur, Jason Ricci & New Blood, Drowning Pool, Less Than Jake, Loudon Wainwright III, plus all the artists and bands you need to see this summer. So get cracking!

And that wraps up another week. Thank you for your support and we hope you’ll join us again for another adventure in concert data. Happy trails!