Jan 1, 2008

Avril and her tours

As a result of her great success with the latest albums, Avril announced the following:



Following the enormous success of her third studio album and second consecutive US #1 debut, Best Damn Thing, Avril Lavigne has announced plans for her 2008 "Best Damn Tour" to be extended to include a full European leg. Produced by Live Nation, the tour will begin on 26th May in Glasgow, UK. Last month Lavigne announced a 32-date North American tour and today has revealed details of her plans for Europe.

"I can't wait to get back out on the road!" says Lavigne, "I have the most fun when I am performing for the fans. I think that energy comes through in my live show."

Best Damn Thing, released in April 2007, is already certified platinum in the UK and throughout Europe and has sold over 4.5 million copies worldwide. Produced by Butch Walker (The Donnas, American Hi-Fi, Lavigne's second album Under My Skin), Dr. Luke (Pink, Lady Sovereign), Rob Cavallo (Green Day, My Chemical Romance) and her husband Deryck Whibley, Best Damn Thing was made with fun in mind. This is evident from the first single, "Girlfriend," reaching #1 around the world. Fans can expect to see the high-spirited energy of the record come to life through Lavigne's stage show, which will feature dancers and a live band.

Having sold close to 30 million albums worldwide, Avril Lavigne is quickly paving her own path to rock 'n' roll royalty. She burst onto the music scene in 2002 with the critically acclaimed Let Go, which featured the smash singles "Sk8r Boi" and "Complicated." Let Go earned Lavigne eight Grammy nominations and has sold more than 16 million copies worldwide. Her 2004 sophomore effort, Under My Skin, debuted at #1 around the world, as did her much anticipated third album, Best Damn Thing. Lavigne is also making a name for herself in the acting world, with a recent role in the Richard Linklater-directed Fast Food Nation and voice work in the animated Over the Hedge. For more information visit www.avrillavigne.com.

Paul McCartney owns it all!

This has been released just today:



The UK's recorded music association, the BPI, today unveiled the winner of the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Music Award. Paul McCartney, the most successful musician and composer of all time will be recognised with the coveted trophy, a gift from the Council of the BPI, at The BRIT Awards with MasterCard 2008 on Wednesday 20 February.

In an extra special night, Paul McCartney will take to the stage to be honoured with the ultimate BRITs accolade and also perform some of his greatest hits in front of the audiences at Earls Court and at home as millions tune in to watch the show broadcast live on ITV1.

Ged Doherty, Chairman of The BRITs Committee said: "This is a historic moment for the BRITs. Sir Paul McCartney is one of the greatest songwriters of all time and a member of Britain's biggest ever group. It is a special honour for me to be able to confirm such an influential and important artist to accept the Outstanding Contribution Award and perform at this year's BRITs."

BPI chief executive Geoff Taylor added: "Over a career spanning five decades and more than 100 million albums, very few contemporary artists have had as significant an impact on British music and culture as Sir Paul. Few artists can truly be described as legends, and even fewer are revered by the public like Sir Paul. He richly deserves the accolade of legend yet - as anyone fortunate enough to see him on stage will testify - he remains one of today's most compelling performers. BRITs 2008 is shaping up to be a classic."

One of the founding members of The Beatles, Paul McCartney is one of the UK's most revered recording artists.

Paul McCartney and John Lennon formed one of the most influential and successful song-writing partnerships in the history of rock and roll. After leaving The Beatles, McCartney went on to launch a triumphant solo career and formed the band Wings with his wife Linda. Paul McCartney's love of music spans many genres from Rock and Roll right through to Classical with Ecce Cor Meum [Behold My Heart] being voted Classical Album of the Year at The Classical BRIT Awards in 2007.