Working For The 4th Of July Weekend …

We filled our writers up with hot dogs, mom’s apple pie and all the beer we could find, gave them several crates of fireworks, a few Bic lighters that were once used at Lynyrd Skynyrd shows during “Freebird,” and turned them loose. Here’s what they came up with for the next four days:

Friday: Xaiver Rudd Gets The Blues – The Australian musician, surfer and frequent Dave Matthews Band touring partner goes over to the dark side.

Crüe Chat – Our conversation with guitarist Mick Mars was so popular, we’re going to run it again!

Saturday: Richie Havens’ Crown-ing Achievement – The legendary folk singer celebrates his 30th album with a whopper of a tour.

Bringing Sexy To The States – Really, really pale guy and comedian Jim Gaffigan takes his unique world view to the masses.

Sunday: Dylan Headlines Inaugural Saratoga Fest – Bob Dylan, Levon Helm Band, The Swell Season and Steve Earle sign on for the New York event.

Monday: Joe Satriani’s Lucky 13 – The guitarist extraordinaire marks the release of Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock with a world tour.

Lindsey Buckingham Isn’t Screwing Around – The Fleetwood Mac axeman returns to the road this fall.

Link-O-Rama …

Gym Class Heroes’ frontman, Travis McCoy, arrested on the Warped Tour stop after hitting audience member with mic – NBC 5

Memorial stone swiped from grave of Ian Curtis, the deceased singer of Joy Division – The Times Online U.K.

London’s singing dentist inks four-album deal with Sony BMG that’s reportedly worth £1 million (approx. $2 million U.S.) – Telegraph U.K.

Two years ago Sara Bareilles was worried her record would never be released. Now she’s worried about overexposure. Such is life at the top of the pops – The Age

Suze Rotolo, the girl walking with Bob Dylan on “The Freewheeling Bob Dylan” album cover, talks about her days with Mr. Zimmerman – Reuters

Have you ever wanted to make your own guitar? – The Brookfield Journal

We can understand why ladies might be attracted to lead singers, guitarists or even drummers. But upright bass players? Who would have thunk it? – Summit Daily News

A pictorial of the first day of the first ever “Rothbury Festival” in mid-Michigan – Grand Rapids Press

Dates, Dates & More Dates …

The Ting Tings play the United Kingdom in September and October. Newly posted dates include Liverpool (September 20), Newcastle (September 23), Sheffield (September 26), Manchester (October 2) and London (October 8).

MGMT is also playing the U.K. but in November. Dates include Leeds (November 5), Birmingham (November 10) and London (November 27 & 28).

Todd Rundgren adds a few shows in Europe and (you guessed it) the U.K. Stops include Bonn on November 16, Milan on November 18, Paris on November 20 and London on November 23.

And Marcia Ball gets an late afternoon update with the addition of December 12 in Chicago, December 13 in Madison (Wisconsin) and February 24, 2009 in Hampton (Virginia).

During the day we also updated the schedules for Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Wonder, The Felice Brothers, Vince Gill, The Radiators, Flobots, Johnny Winter, B.B. King, Tower Of Power, Eddie Money, and more bands and more artists than even God knows about. Or so he says.

And that’s a wrap for this week. As we enter the 4th of July weekend we’d like to remind you that this is a great time to experience live music. Not just your favorite guitar band, piano pounder, popster or rock star, but the dedicated men and women in the local orchestras and symphonies helping to celebrate the birth of our nation. G’night and have a great weekend!