AVRIL LAVIGNE & CHAD KROEGER ANNOUNCE ENGAGEMENT: SEE THE RING!

Chad Kroeger & Avril Lavigne in Toronto (different dates, of course)

Ugh! Did Avril not learn anything I taught her? She was supposed to marry Brody - no pre-nup - get pregnant, cash-in on the Kardashian Franchise, give future Brother-in-Law Kanye West a high-five ...and then move onto the love of her life, Chad Kroeger! Some people are so ungrateful for sound relationship advice! Last time I ever offer to help. LOL

Congratulations on the just-announced Engagement of Pop-Rock Royalty Avril Lavigne and Chad Kroeger of Nickelback. Kroeger actually popped the question on August 8, 2012 with a 14-carat Diamond Ring and the Couple have been together for about six months now, but news has just broken about it and Twitter is going crazy. Don't say you weren't warned, as the Couple were spotted earlier this year in Paris together!

Despite it being a little odd if you consider both were partying together at the MuchMusic Video Awards back in 2002 when she was just 17-years-old (him 27-years-old), time does change everything and now that age gap isn't as big a deal. They actually are a perfect match for one another, come to think about it...  This is how you remind me things aren't so complicated! To years of love and new inspiration...

Hello! Canada got the Exclusive on the Couple's Engagement, with details to come on their September 10th Issue. Kroeger tells the Magazine, “I knew I was falling for her. It was incredibly powerful and something I'll never forget". See the Ring itself after the jump....

Check out the Cover below:

AVRIL LAVIGNE IN TORONTO FOR "BLACK STAR TOUR"

Avril Lavigne in Toronto - October 2011

She's sold over 30-million Albums worldwide and Canadian Heroine Avril Lavigne arrived back in Toronto this weekend for one of the final North American stop-offs of her Black Star Tour at Air Canada Centre.  

The Singer/Songwriter spent part of her Weekend catching-up with some of her Pals from High School and she admits to stashing away some Pizza from her favourite, La Pizzeria, aboard her Tour Bus.  The Pizza - which consists of Pepperoni, Mushrooms and Green Olives - is one of her favourite Breakfast items to eat while on-tour.

Lavigne will begin Production on her fifth studio Disc in January 2012 under new Label Epic Records due to some structural changes under a now-defunct Arista Records, which has overseen her career from her 2002 Debut Let Go.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

VIDEO PREMIERE: RIHANNA - CHEERS (DRINK TO THAT)

Still from Cheers (Drink to That)

Not that she's endorsing excessive consumption of Alcohol or anything, but this new Video for Rihanna's latest Single Cheers (Drink to That) has just premiered and Girl even managed to get Avril Lavigne to do a quick Cameo. The Weekend Jam samples a Vocal Hook from Canadian's Hit I'm With You.

You know you've really made it when you can make a Music Video surrounding clips of screaming Fans.

The Track has peaked so far at number 17 on the U.S Billboard Hot 100 and also number 37 on the Canadian Hot 100 charts.

See the Video in full below:

2011 MMVAs NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

Down with Webster at Bell Celebrity Gala - November 2010

Nominees for the 2011 MuchMusic Video Awards have been announced and tying for the most number of nominations this year are Canadians Fefe Dobson, Down with Webster and Shawn Desman.

With the festivities looming quickly on Sunday, June 19, 2011, several big names also are up for International Awards in categories such as International Video of the Year (Artist), International Video of the Year (Group) and UR Fave International Artist. Eminem, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Selena Gomez & The Scene and Bruno Mars each are tied with two nominations apiece in these categories.

For a full list of Nominees, click here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

BRUNO MARS, AVRIL LAVIGNE & THE BLACK KEYS JOIN 2011 MMVAs LINE-UP

Bruno Mars in Toronto - November 2010

This year's MuchMusic Video Awards just got that much more amazing in one of the best line-ups we've seen in years!  It has just been confirmed that Bruno Mars, The Black Keys, City and Colour and Avril Lavigne will be taking the stage as performers, joining Lady Gaga who was confirmed last month for the Show. Selena Gomez will be serving hosting duties.

The MMVAs air Sunday, June 19, 2011 at 9:00 PM EST on MuchMusic and Fuse.

Nominees will be announced Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 5:00 PM EST on New.Music.Live.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

ANTONIO "L.A." REID POSSIBLY BRINGING MARIAH CAREY BACK TO SONY MUSIC?

Mariah Carey in Toronto - March 2010

Antonio "L.A." Reid, who has been responsible for shaping the careers of many a great Pop Star including P!nk, Usher, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Bon Jovi, TLC and Avril Lavigne, announced today that he will be leaving Island Def Jam effective immediately as its Chairman. He will be working again with Sony Music, having prior overseen the careers of Artists under that label.  There are speculations that he will be a Judge on Simon Cowell's U.S. version of The X Factor.

According to Roger Friedman at Showbiz411, Mariah Carey whom Reid aided in scoring one of the biggest comebacks ever seen in Pop Music in 2005 with The Emancipation of Mimi, will be headed back to her original label Sony Music.  She must however first complete her contractual obligations to Island Def Jam (Univeral Music) with just one more album left, due some time later this year.

Although Island Def Jam did an amazing job with Carey, perhaps indeed it is time for a change with the lackluster performance of her last few releases under the imprint, including E=MC² and Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel.  Could be great!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

AVRIL LAVIGNE - GOODBYE LULLABY ALBUM REVIEW | GIVEAWAY

She’s all grown-up. Despite über-catchy and spirited lead Single What the Hell having infiltrated our Airwaves, Fans should not be fooled. Avril Lavigne’s fourth studio effort Goodbye Lullaby showcases a more subtle Girl from Napanee who’s hopelessly in-love.

Swedish Hitmakers Max Martin and Shellback contribute a total four tracks to the Disc, including the mentioned first single. Aside from What the Hell, they are careful never to over-impose their Pop Aristry on her, letting the Singer/Songwriter shine. Vulnerable moments like the lovestruck and single-worthy Wish You Were Here, written clearly for her number one Hunk Brody Jenner, plus Smile and I Love You. All are cohesive thematically, but actually so similar they might be a bit too interchangeable.

One thing Lavigne’s biggest Critics cannot take away from her is that she can sure pen a Power Ballad like the best of them. Push, a collaboration with longtime Guitarist Evan Taubenfeld is superb, somewhat reminiscent of Natalie Imbruglia’s 1997 hit Ednaswap cover Torn, easily being this album’s I’m With You or Keep Holding On. Everybody Hurts, no relation to the R.E.M. track of the same name, and Not Enough especially show a new level of depth and hindsight we’ve never quite gotten from her.

An interesting thing about Goodbye Lullaby is that despite Lavigne’s marriage not having lasted with Sum-41 Frontman Deryck Whibley, their musical marriage still remains strong with him manning the Boards on seven out of 13 tracks here. Goodbye, perhaps Lavigne’s most personal track on the Collection, brings some heat-felt closure and a fitting farewell to their time together.

WIN AVRIL LAVIGNE'S "GOODBYE LULLABY" AND SELECTIONS FROM HER CATALOGUE

To celebrate Canadian Princess of Pop Rock Avril Lavigne’s return, you can win a copy of her fourth studio album Goodbye Lullaby and selections of her Catalogue courtesy of Sony Music Canada and Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven!

To qualify for the win, you must match the following Song Titles correctly with the corresponding letter denoting each of Lavigne’s Abums.

1. What The Hell          A. Let Go

2. Nobody’s Home      B. Under My Skin

3. I’m With You          C. The Best Damn Thing

4. Keep Holding On     D. Goodbye Lullaby

Please leave a comment with your answers below. You have until Saturday, March 12, 2011 to enter and one winner with all the correct answers will be chosen at random. Offer open to Canadian readers only. Good luck, Mavenati!

Avril Lavigne’s Goodbye Lullaby hits stores Tuesday, March 8, 2011!
Download What the Hell here.

VIDEO PREMIERE: AVRIL LAVIGNE - WHAT THE HELL

At last! The Video for Avril Lavigne's new single What the Hell has premiered and ABC Family got the exclusive, streaming it on their website right after their broadcast of Mean Girls 2.  Yes, I know - why did they even bother trying to follow-up on a Classic?  

Lavigne's Goodbye Lullaby is in stores March 8, 2011 and the Canadian Bad Girl just arrived in Tokyo this weekend to promote the Disc.  And get this, apparently she was totally sweet to Fans at her Hotel, signing Autographs and promising Photos with them as soon as she put on some Make-up, according to our dear Friend MiT.

What the Hell has peaked in Canada at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and similarly has done well reaching number 13 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.  Go, Avril!  I'm totally contemplating getting tickets to her just-announced 2011 Tour.

NEW MUSIC: AVRIL LAVIGNE - WHAT THE HELL

Who would've known that Avril Lavigne still had it in her?  Despite her having clarified that her forthcoming album will be a bit darker and more on the Acoustic side, this first single What the Hell, co-written by Swedish Pop God Max Martin and Shellback, shows the  promise of Pop Gold.  Full of sass and a nod to early '80s synth-rock, Lavigne sounds playful and coy.  I predict big things for this track.

For a limited time only you can download the track off her Facebook Page here or you can preview it in full here (Flash Player required; audio content owned by Sony Music):

Goodbye Lullabye, Lavigne's fourth studio album, hits stores March 8, 2011 via Sony Music.

MERRY CELEB-MAS!

Ryan Gosling at TIFF 2010

Merry Christmas, Mavenati!   However you're spending the day, I hope it's special and that you're surrounded by those you love.  And that applies even if you don't observe the Holiday.

I just finished my Christmas shopping this afternoon, before heading off to see The Coen Brothers' True Grit and now am just typing with Billy nestled at my feet.  Tomorrow I'll be spending the day with Family and getting up to prepare some Sushi as part of our big Dinner up in the (905).  I also made a batch of Cake Pops too, which I'm sure they'll love....

If you're in and around Toronto, you'll be happy to know that the Celebrities are out-and-about in full force:

• As our beloved @ShinanGovani reports, Amy Poehler (Parks & Recreation, Saturday Night Live) and her Toronto-born and raised Husband Will Arnett (Arrested Development) were seen out in Yorkville earlier today at Starbucks.  I hope they know that it's not open tomorrow!
• While wrapping up my Shopping, I saw Ryan Gosling right in front of my Condo Building incognito in Sunglasses and a Cap, before heading west along Bloor St. possibly to do a bit of last-minute shopping?  Twitter reports also show that he was doing Groceries at Fortino's yesterday and took a Picture even with some Fans. Keep a look out!