Link-O-Rama …

Now it’s the Republicans turn. Gretchen Wilson, Daughtry, Sammy Hagar, LeAnn Rimes and The Charlie Daniels Band are just a few of the performers expected to entertain delegates at next week’s Republican National Convention – Minneapolis Star Tribune

Comcast to impose download limit starting October 1 – Rockford Register Star

Michael Jackson celebrates 50th b-day, says “the best is yet to come.” – Associated Press

MP3 blogger faces up to three years in prison for posting leaked Axl Ro Guns N’ Roses tracks – Los Angeles Times (registration may be required)

GM will offer factory-installed radios with USB ports – making it easier to plug in, listen and charge – starting in 2009 models – Associated Press

Getting up-to-speed on Ra Ra Riot – NPR

Dates, Dates & More Dates …

Merle Haggard updates today with new listings for October. Merle’s calendar now includes October 10 in St. Michael, North Dakota at Spirit Lake Casino & Resort, October 12 in Hinckley, Minnesota at Grand Casino Hinckley, Milwaukee on October 16 at Northern Lights Theater and Harris, Michigan on October 17 & 18 at Island Resort & Casino.

It’s Charlatans UK in the U.K. and Ireland for October. Yeah, we know they’re just “Charlatans” over there, but legal problems with the name force us to tag the band’s moniker with “U.K.” Anyhoo … New dates include Belfast on October 1, Dublin on October 3, Edinburgh on October 11, Iverness on October 14, London on October 18 and Leeds on October 20. The group also has new listings for Australia and New Zealand for November – Auckland on November 12, Melbourne on November 13 and Sydney on November 14.

Jimmy Thackery adds shows in Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey. New ones include october 18 in Tallahassee at Bradfordville Blues Club, October 23 in Johnson City, Tenn., at Down Home, October 24 in Charlotte, NC at Double Door Inn, October 31 in Pittsburgh at Moondog’s, November 1 in New Castle, Delaware at J.B. McGinnis Pub & Grill and November 2 in Whippany, New Jersey at Ukrainian American Cultural Center.

And we have a couple of new dates for Melissa Ferrick – November 16 in San Juan Capistrano at The Coach House, and November 19 in San Francisco at The Independent.

During the last two hours we also updated the schedules for Po’ Girl, Lucy Kaplansky, Jefferson Starship, Diesel, Confederate Railroad, The Band Of Heathens, Wayne Newton, Tindersticks, Willy Porter and Ricochet.

That’s our story at the halfway mark, but it ain’t over until that fat booking agent cusses, and we have more dates yet to post. Stay on top of all the late-breaking concert info with Your Latest Update, coming up around 3 pm (PDT), from Pollstar.com!