LIONEL RICHIE IN TORONTO FOR "TUSKEGEE"

Lionel Richie in Toronto - March 2012

Pop Legend Lionel Richie arrived in Toronto Monday to promote his latest Disc, Tuskegee, named after the Alabama City from which he hails.  The Disc, recorded in Nashville has Country leanings, updating Arrangements of some of his biggest self-penned Hits with re-sung with some of today's biggest names including Shania Twain (Endless Love), Jason Aldean (Say You, Say Me), Rascal Flatts (Dancing on the Ceiling), Jennifer Nettles (Hello), Tim McGraw (Sail On) and many more.

Richie promoted the new Disc across various mediums including Print, Radio and Television including a visit to CBC's George Stroumboulopoulous Tonight yesterday and CTV's The Marilyn Denis Show today, before performing at a secret Concert airing on CTV Two April 13, 2012 at 9:00 PM EST.  

Listen to Endless Love ft. Shania Twain in full below:

MICHAEL BUBLÉ: CHRISTMAS - REVIEW

You pretty know what to expect with a Michael Bublé Disc and if like myself you are a Fan among the many millions, this is a good thing. The Canadian Crooner teams-up again with David Foster, Humberto Gatica and Bob Rock for fifteen tracks of festive cheer - a release which perhaps has been too long overdue.
 
Bublé combines old school Big Band charm with contemporary sensibility and production on Holiday Classics like It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Jingle Bells (ft. The Puppini Sisters), the wittily-updated Santa Buddy (a masculine accompaniment to Santa Baby) and personal favourite, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.  Results consistently are good.

Most surprisingly, he manages to coax a long-absent Shania Twain whose voice seems to have returned, lending her talents on White Christmas -  a big treat.  Bublé also ambitiously takes-on Mariah Carey's modern classic All I Want for Christmas is You, giving it a condensed Ballad treatment with mixed results. A take on U2's Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) is highly listenable, taking a bit more of a laid-back approach compared to its Original.  He even tries his hand at Latin in choir-backed Ave Maria and Spanish too with the help of Latin American Superstar Thalia on Feliz Navidad, showing a bit more versatility.

SHANIA TWAIN TO RELEASE COMEBACK SINGLE "TODAY IS YOUR DAY"

Shania Twain in Toronto - May 2011

Too amazing!  Since going v. public about her healing process and what she calls a "loss of voice", Shania Twain is back and on-the-verge of a Comeback.  Today is Your Day, an Acoustic Track heard on her Oprah Winfrey Network Reality Show Why Not? will mark Twain's return to Music after an extended  seven-year hiatus.   

The Track will be available as a Download on June 12, 2011 at 11:00 PM EST following an airing of the episode titled Endless Love which shows exclusive footage of her Wedding Ceremony with Husband Frédéric Thiébaud. The same episode airs one week later in Canada, but the Single will be available digitally simultaneously with the U.S.

Watch her perform the Track below with Gladys Knight on the Series:

LADY GAGA - BORN THIS WAY REVIEW

At long last we are gifted with the eagerly-awaited return from The Mother of Pop herself, Lady Gaga - not that she ever really was away.  Born this Way is a 14-track Opus, equally Runway-inspired as it is made for the Dance Floor.  And over the course of the past three years those of us who were early supporters of hers have been rewarded handsomely by our investment of faith, seeing no other star shine as brightly as hers.  Make no mistake about it, Lady Gaga is a Phenomenon and an Icon in all senses of the word.

Born This Way shows an astonishing amount of growth from Gaga's 2008 debut The Fame.  Gone are the days of singing about "riding on Disco Sticks" and "doin' it for the Fame". By golly, she's famous.  She's really famous.  Musically, vocally and lyrically, Gaga has progressed as an Artist, striking that fine balance between Pop Art and a level of accessibility which even your ten-year old Niece gets.  A now-Gaga is '90s-obsessed and fixated on Biblical metaphors, in addition to the concepts of Social Justice and Self Acceptance.

This hour-long Set starts off on a brilliant note - a first Techno-Rock contribution from Fernando Garibay complete with Bongos and Organs.  Marry the Night takes you to the Chapel in high gear before fully taking flight late with a Pat Benatar-like Breakdown and Vamp which elevates the listener into a higher state of consciousness  - the Album's Title Track, yet another Garibay production.    

Government Hooker is a dark, edgy romp which sounds like something played over a Video Montage  between costume changes on her The Monster Ball Tour.  Industrial, New Wave and with a Hook which melodically takes a cue from Jefferson Airplane's Somebody to Love, this number definitely is among the Cream of the Crop on the Disc.  Myself not having gone "gaga" (yes her name can be used as a verb also) over RedOne production Judas, its context is understood better after hearing the Album fully.  It serves as a part of a recurring motif - dark, bitter Verses set against the sweet fluffiness of fun Choruses.

Americano with its Flamenco flare delivers more of that passione we heard on prior Single Alejandro, although much more festive and in the spirit of Boney M. and Santa Esmerelda. An ode to Gay Rights, musically it seems out-of-context from the rest of Born this Way, although we will need to see this Garibay production set to stage in all its visual glory to see where Gaga is going with this. 

SHANIA TWAIN SHINES AT TORONTO SIGNING FOR "FROM THIS MOMENT ON"

Shania Twain at Indigo Manulife Centre

International Country-Pop Sensation Shania Twain flew into Toronto last night with Husband Frederic Thiebaud, ready to embark on the Canadian leg of her Press Tour for new Memoir, From this Moment On. The 409-page Autobiography features many shocking insights into her life including details about her younger years living in Poverty on a Diet of Bread, Milk and Brown Sugar.  She also makes some shocking revelations about her abusive Stepfather Jerry, all the way up to her Divorce from Producer/Husband Mutt Lange, now partnered with Twain's former Best Friend Marie-Anne Thiebaud.

On whether or not Twain will be recording Music soon, she reveals in the Book that she is suffering from a condition called Dysphonia causing her muscles to squeeze her Voice Box.  This in turn makes it difficult for her to sing.  She understandably is still healing from the remnant emotional pain and anxiety experienced through her Divorce and she also admits to requiring Physiotherapy now.

Twain's hectic day included appearances on CTV's Canada AM, The Marilyn Denis Show and eTalk, in addition to CBC's George Stroumboulopoulous Tonight.  She capped it all off with an Autograph Session at Indigo Manulife Centre where Fans camped-out overnight to get their copies of From this Moment On signed.  Despite perhaps slightly exaggerated Twitter claims of there being "close to 1,000 people" attending the Event at 6:10 PM, Wristbands to meet Twain were still available at the start time of 7:00 PM.  A beautiful and rapturous Twain in stalwart fashion, was able to zip through the queue of Fans in what seemed like near-Record Time - just short of two hours!

My own experience was a bit of a grueling one, having queued-up early at 5:00 AM to secure myself a Wristband before heading off to work for the day after the store opened.  At the end of the day, I joined the queue again - nauseatingly hot - where Fans were told via Speakers, "No Memorabilia, No Posed Photography". 

SHANIA TWAIN TO DO TORONTO BOOK SIGNING FOR "FROM THIS MOMENT ON"

Shania Twain at 2011 Juno Awards

Best news all year!  Shania Twain will be signing copies of her Autobiography From this Moment On at Indigo Manulife Centre on Monday, May 9, 2011 at 7:00 PM!  The Book is said to spare no details on her rise to Stardom and the Aftermath.

Indigo confirmed this amazing news at 11:00 AM on Twitter.   

Twain's six-part Reality TV Series Why Not? will premiere on OWN later that week, Friday, May 13, 2011. She's Gonna Getcha Good!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

SHANIA TWAIN RECEIVES CANADIAN MUSIC HALL OF FAME AWARD FROM BRYAN ADAMS AT 2011 JUNO AWARDS

Shania Twain at 2011 Juno Awards

Shania Twain received a Heroine's Welcome Home earlier this evening at Air Canada Centre during the live televised broadcast of the 40th annual Juno Awards. Receiving the Canadian Music Hall of Fame Award from Friend and former Recipient Bryan Adams, a radiant Twain received a warm round of applause from the audience.

In a congratulatory Video Message from Grammy Winner Taylor Swift, she credits Twain as being "the reason I'm doing this.".  Twain was then on-stage and in her Speech told the audience, "I'm just so proud of Canada's talent", before promising new Music soon.

Accompanied by her Swiss Husband Frederic Thiebaud, the recently-wed Couple could be seen rocking out to Canadian Band Hedley's ballad Perfect, cheering along loudly as captured in this Video I got of them below. They were so close but so far away!

Watch the happy Couple below:

DRAKE AT 2011 JUNO AWARDS

Drake at the 2011 Juno Awards

Toronto's v. own Drake made his City proud tonight, playing Host to the 2011 Juno Awards (the 40th edition of the ceremonies).  Working every muscle of his talent from Comedic Chops to Singing to Rapping, the 24 year-old easily won the audience over.  

A pre-recorded Video Clip showed him Skyping his Buddy Justin Bieber, who is currently busy touring in Eurpoe, and doing a Duet to Sarah McLachlan's I Will Remember You together.  He also jokingly serenaded Shania Twain, telling her how he'd like to "make her feel like a Woman".  Nervy, considering her new Husband Frederic Thiebaud was right beside her!

The evening's biggest highlight was his parody called Old Money, poking fun at Lil Wayne's Record Label (which he is signed to), Young Money.  And get this, my Godmother Angela starred in the Skit too as a Champagne-drinkin' Granny!  Way to Godmother!  Yay! Watch the Clip in full here at CTV.

Earlier in the evening, Drake zipped right through the Red Carpet after signing a few Autographs, much to the disappointment of shivering Fans hoping to get a Photo with him. 

See some more snaps I got of him below:

SHANIA TWAIN'S HUSBAND FREDERIC THIEBAUD SPOTTED IN TORONTO FOR JUNO AWARDS

Frederic Thiebaud in Toronto - March 2011

Man!  He makes her feel like a Woman!  Shania Twain's Husband Frederic Thiebaud was spotted arriving in Toronto with full Entourage in tow (including a Sister Carrie-Ann, seen left) earlier today. The Swiss Nestle Executive was all smiles for my Camera, before heading into their Hotel.

Twain, who is scheduled to receive her Canadian Music Hall of Fame Award at tomorrow evening's Juno Awards, was a little more discreet with her entrance.  She won't be able to avoid those Cameras tomorrow night at the Red Carpet.  And I'll be there!  Don't forget to check back for the Glamazon herself!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

JUNO AWARDS RED CARPET COVERAGE

Shania Twain

With just four days to the Juno Awards left, are you Guys excited yet or what?  I know I am and I will be lined-up at the Red Carpet and ready to deliver some awesome coverage for you!

CTV has confirmed today that among the superstars to walk the Red Carpet this Sunday at Air Canada Centre are Host Drake, Neil Young, Metric, Hedley and Shania Twain. This will mark the tenth year the Network will be airing the Awards.

You can catch the Red Carpet festivities in Ontario and Quebec at 6:30 PM ET, in Alberta at 6:30 PM MT and in the Atlantic at 7:30 PM AT.

eTalk at The Junos, an hour-long Special, will air in BC at 6:00 PM PT, Winnipeg at 6:00 PM CT and on CP24 at 6:30 PM ET.

If you have questions for your favourite Celebrities on the Red Carpet, you can Tweet Gossip Maven Lainey Lui at @etalkCTV during the broacast.

(Photo credit: ShaniaTwain.Com)

SHANIA TWAIN TO BE INDUCTED INTO CANADIAN MUSIC HALL OF FAME

Shania Twain

Congratulations to Shania Twain in what’s already shaping-up to be a fantastic year for her! It was announced last night that she will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame during the JUNO Awards, which will take place in Toronto on March 27, 2011.  CTV will be broadcasting the event, hosted by Rapper Drake. The JUNOs though, are nothing new for the just-remarried Twain who in her illustrious career has nabbed a total 12 Awards honouring the best in Canadian Music.

SHANIA TWAIN ENGAGEMENT CONFIRMED BY US WEEKLY

Shania Twain on Us Weekly

Do people no longer believe in good old fashioned love? Canada's beloved Shania Twin according to Us Weekly, is now engaged to Nestle Business Executive Frederic Thiebaud. But wait - get this - Thiebaud is the former Husband to Twain's former Best friend Marie-Ann, now the partner of her ex-Husband/Producer Mutt Lange.

Anyhow, there's a Ring involved and everything as seen by onlookers in New York City recently, but Us Weekly is wise to keep specifics under wraps until their next issue hits Newsstands this Wednesday!  Click here to read more in the meantime.

The added Publicity definitely doesn't hurt seeing that Twain's new Reality Show Why Not? will be launching on the Oprah Winfrey Network early January.  Exactly - why the heck not?  Go Shania!  We won't judge.

(Photo credit: Us Weekly)

OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK TO LAUNCH IN CANADA MARCH 2011

OWN's Official Logo

Canada, are you ready for Oprah all day, every day? It has just been announced that Oprah Winfrey's much-talked about Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) will be launching in Canada via Corus Entertainment on March 1, 2011. Its U.S. launch will be taking place two months prior on New Year's Day.

OWN which targets Women aged 25 to 54, will be replacing existing channel VIVA as it caters to a similar demographic. To prepare Canadians for its launch, Corus' W Network and VIVA will be airing blocks of programming from OWN throughout January and February.

The many exciting programs to come include a reality show from Shania Twain, plus Talk Shows from Gayle King, Sarah Ferguson, Rosie O'Donnell and Lisa Ling. Above this, Julia Roberts will star in a Documentary called Extraordinary Moms, which also will be airing on the network!

To learn more about OWN's programming, click here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHANIA TWAIN!

Happy Birthday Shania!  Canada's Country Sweetheart Shania Twain celebrated her 45th Birthday at her cottage in Muskoka region this weekend.  I have no idea how our friends at Canadian Tabloid knew that, but they managed to nab an exclusive shot of her over on their Blog, enjoying the morning from her Balcony. Amazing! 

We're all anxiously awaiting Twain's reality show, Why Not? on The Oprah Winfrey Network in 2011 as there is still no set release date for her next album.  Expect those promotional wheels to be in full motion again soon.  Bring it, Lady!

(Photo credit: Associated Press)

SHANIA TWAIN GETS HER OWN REALITY SHOW!

Canadian country music legend Shania Twain has just signed on with Gay Rosenthal Productions, known mostly for its VH1 Behind The Music specials, to film her very own reality series called Why Not?  The series will be airing on Oprah Winfrey's Own Network, which will launch in January 2011. 

The show will follow Twain's success story from her impoverished childhood in Timmins, Ontario, to becoming country music's biggest star in the mid-late '90s and the crumbling of her 14 year marriage to producer Mutt Lange.  More importantly though, the crew behind the Why Not? will be following her on the comeback trail as she makes a grand return to music after a lengthy absence.  Twain, who is notorious for her ridiciulously long song titles and love for using exclamation marks in her song titles(!), has not released a full studio effort since 2002's double studio album, Up!