Link-O-Rama …

General Motors and Procter & Gamble pull advertising from two rap programs on BET – Tri-State Defender

Indie labels say Last.fm hasn’t paid nearly as many independent record companies as it should – The Register U.K.

They’re lined up in Japan for the new iPhone. Apple hopes that will happen in other countries as it prepares for the wonder-gizmo’s second coming – Associated Press

Related: Internet radio service Pandora to offer free streaming via iPhone – PC Magazine

30 years after their reign at the top of the pops, ABBA is still popular as ever – The Telegraph U.K.

Billy Bob Thornton tells you why rock & roll is “so damn cool” – Flagstaff Live

Catching up with The Vines – The Age

Dates, Dates & More Dates …

Bret Michaels adds a few non-Poison dates to the update routine today as the “Rock of Love” star slots new ones for Pennsylvania, Ohio, Oregon and Kentucky. On August 5 Mr. Michaels plays Allentown, PA, at the Crocodile Rock Café. On August 16 the city is Cinncinnati, OH, and the venue is Blue Note Café. On August 30 the bandanna-man appears in Portland, OR, at Duffy’s and on September 14 it’s Louisville, KY, at the ever-popular TBA.

Today’s Ronnie Milsap update is for September, October and November. New dates on the calendar include September 20 in Seminole, OK, at Seminole Nation Festival; October 9 in Cumming, GA, at Cumming Fairgrounds; and on November 15 the country legend will play a gig at the Spirit Lake Casino & Resort in St. Michael, ND.

Tommy Emmanuel adds U.S. dates for September and October. New shows for the Australian guitarist include a two-night stand in Cincinnati on September 15 & 16, October 10 in Chicago, October 11 in Milwaukee and October 12 in Madison, WI.

And Trout Fishing In America casts a few new dates for late 2008 and early 2009. New shows include November 1 in Fort Polk, LA; December 13 in Bettendorf, IA, January 17 in Spring Hill, FL and March 29 in San Francisco.

During the past couple of hours we also updated the schedules for Val Emmich, Supe, Steve E Nix & The Cute Lepers, Opeth, Lucero, Great White, Eddie Money, Corey Stevens, Vince Neil, Scarlet Haze and Ras Midas.

And that’s where it all stands at the halfway mark as we move into the second half of our daily adventure in concert data. Don’t miss Your Latest Update, coming up around 3 pm (PDT), from Pollstar.com!