LiveNation will repeat no-fee ticket promotion

June 9, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

PITTSBURGH – Live Nation is expanding its no-service-fee program to every single available ticket in each of its amphitheaters this Wednesday, for 24 hours only, exclusively at LiveNation.com.

Last week’s debut of No Service Fee Wednesday generated a sales increase 500 percent higher than the average number of tickets sold on a typical Wednesday, according to a press release from the ticket seller.

Tickets for this week’s installment go on sale at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday www.LiveNation.com. While the service fee has been dropped, parking and certain venue fees and taxes still apply.

Rapper is sentenced in assault case

PHOENIX — Rapper DMX was sentenced Monday to more than a year of probation, avoiding more time in Arizona jails after spending two years in and out of the state’s legal system.

DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, pleaded guilty in May to attempted aggravated assault after authorities said he threw a meal tray at a jail officer. He had been in jail serving a sentence for felony theft, drug possession and animal cruelty.

In the latest incident, he was sentenced in Maricopa County Superior Court to 18 months of supervised probation and ordered to pay various fines and fees. He also was credited with time served and was allowed to serve his probation and undergo a counseling program in Florida, where he planned to return.

Simmons, 38, and his lawyer said they were satisfied with the outcome of the plea agreement.

Tony Awards post increase in viewership

NEW YORK — Tony Awards organizers can be pleased about a winning night at the television turnstiles.

Broadway’s big night was seen by 7.45 million people. Nielsen Media Research says that’s a 19 percent increase over last year’s awards show, which had 6.27 million viewers.

Nielsen said it was the biggest audience for the Tonys in three years, the second-biggest since 2003.

Midler completes 100th show on Strip

LAS VEGAS — Bette Midler admits it takes a little work to keep her Las Vegas Strip show fresh — especially now that it has hit its 100th performance.

The entertainer marked the 100th milestone of “The Showgirl Must Go On” at the Caesars Palace Colosseum on Sunday.

The Sunday performance kicked off a four-week run at the Caesars Palace Colosseum; Midler has another 100 shows left on her contract.

Today’s birthdays

Guitarist-inventor Les Paul is 94. Sports commentator Dick Vitale is 70. Keyboardist Jon Lord of Deep Purple and Whitesnake is 68. Actor Michael J. Fox is 48. Actor Johnny Depp is 46. Actress Gloria Reuben (“The Agency,” “ER”) is 45. Bassist Dean Dinning (Toad the Wet Sprocket) is 42. Musician Ed Simons of the Chemical Brothers is 39. Actress Michaela Conlin (“Bones”) is 31. Actress Natalie Portman is 28. Actress Mae Whitman (“Arrested Development”) is 21.