Link-O-Rama …

MTV VMA host Russell Brand resigns from BBC over phone prank controversy – The Times Online U.K.

Jeff Healey’s family says it is “deeply and sadly disappointed” over an unauthorized CD and DVD featuring the late guitar star. – CFKTV / The Canadian Press

Melissa Etheridge blogs about being Melissa Etheridge, comments on adoption and marriage – E! Online

Did you hear about the multiplex movie house that mixed up “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” with “Sex Drive?” In Utah, no less – Deseret News

Never mind the bollocks, here comes the punk auction! – The Times Herald / Associated Press

Cambodia’s first rock opera to premier in Phnom Penh next month. Pol Pot must be turning in hell – Associated Press

Dates, Dates & More Dates …

Former UB40 lead singer Ali Campbell updates with a very hefty tour schedule, slotting Australia in January / February and the United Kingdom in June. New Australian dates include Fremantle on January 24 at Fremantle Oval, Byron Bay on January 26 at Red Devil Park, Brisbane on January 30 at Brisbane Riverstage and Melbourne on February 1 at Sidney Myer Music Bowl. June U.K. stops include London on the 15th at Apollo Hammersmith, Bristol on the 19th at Colston Hall and Birmingham on the 27th at the NIA.

Billy Currington continues to work on his 2009 itinerary. New additions include April 7 in Anaheim at House Of Blues, April 8 in West Hollywood at House Of Blues and Vegas on April 10 at Boulder Station and Vegas on the 11th at Santa Fe Station Hotel & Casino.

Pink continues to build that Euro schedule for 2009, adding shows in Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland, Hungary, Austria, Ireland and Northern Ireland. Details include February 28 in Rotterdam at Ahoy’ Rotterdam, March 21 in Geneva at Geneva Arena, March 22 in Zurich at Hallenstadion Zurich, March 24 in Budapest at Budapest Sportarena, March 25 in Vienna at Wiener Stadthalle, April 20 in Dublin at The 02 and April 23 in Belfast at Odyssey Arena.

And Chick Corea and John McLaughlin are going to Japan come February. Look for the pairing to play Tokyo at Blue Note Tokyo, February 2 through 8.

During the past couple of hours we also updated the schedules for Kurt Elling, Heath Brothers, Lionel Richie, Pat Martino Trio, Paul van Dyk, Pink Martini, Ramsey Lewis, Smoke Or Fire, Strung Out, Three Dog Night and Trace Adkins.

That’s the situation at the halfway mark on this fine Hump Day. Check out the afternoon haps in Your Latest Update, posting around 3 pm today on Pollstar.com!