Overnight Sensation …

We proudly announce that no animals were injured or killed while researching the following two items scheduled to post within the next 14 hours. Too bad we can’t say the same about the writers.

A Real Animal From Austin – Alejandro Escovedo hits the road hard in support of his latest.

Mickey Hart’s Festive Summer – The legendary Greatful Dead drummer pounds the pavement with some friends.

Link-O-Rama …

NYC Health Department cites Metropolitan for health violations, including “evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or nonfood areas” – Associated Press

R. Kelly defense suggests it has new witness that can refute prosecution witness’ testimony – The Chicago Tribune

Christina Aguilera rocks the vote as she rocks her son – Los Angeles Times (registration may be required)

As Woolworths ends sales of CD singles in the United Kingdom, one person reflects back the to days when the local record store was THE source for music – Daily Mail U.K.

Yet another word on all the band reunions – The Oklahoman (registration may be required)

Get out your scorecards. From now on Ashlee Simpson will go by Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, professonally, Ashlee Wentz, privately – Associated Press

Dates, Dates & More Dates …

If vocal perfection had a name it would be Roberta Flack. Today the lady adds a few August dates in Brazil to her schedule. New listings include August 6 in Sao Paulo; August 7 in Rio; August 8 in Curitiba; and August 9 in Porto Alegre.

It sure was nice to see a load of Melvins dates drop on our loading dock, for we haven’t seen any listings for the band since the very end of last year. New show listings include July 16 in Santa Barbara, July 18 in San Francisco, July 19 in Reno, July 21 in Modesto, CA, and July 26 in Seattle. Other dates include stops in Seattle, Madison, WI, Chicago and Cleveland.

Luis Miguel adds a four-night run in Vegas at the Colosseum At Caesars Palace for September 12 – 15. The singer also adds four consecutive nights in Santiago, Chile, November 21 – 23.

And jazz guy John Pizzarelli makes the final deadline with dates for May 2009. Look for Mr. Pizzarelli to play the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark on May 15; the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, NJ, on May 16; Tiles Center For The Performing Arts in Brooksville, NY, on May 17; the Holland Performing Arts Center in Omaha, NE, on May 21; and Boettcher Concert Hall in Denver on May 23.

During the day we also updated the schedules for Coldplay, Gary Pfaff, Scorpions, Jesse Winchester, Tony Rice, Tony Joe White, Mick Fleetwood Band, My Bloody Valentine, Alejandro Fernandez, Jeff Lang, Stanley Clarke, Taylor Hicks, 3 Doors Down, Joan Armatrading, Joe Bonamassa, Earlimart, plus thousands and thousands of bands and artists we’d love to mention in this space, but our corporate overlords cut us back on our monthly byte allowance, saying they needed the extra cash to buy gasoline for their SUVs.

And another day in concertland comes to a close. We hope you enjoyed today’s journey, and that you’ll join us again tomorrow as we go in search of the ever-elusive confirmed concert date. Goodnight and pleasant dreams.