Last night Britney Spears kicked off the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards with a nod to the award show's 25th anniversary. MTV, however, wasn't the only one with something to celebrate. Britney herself was the biggest winner of the night, winning three out of her three nominations.

The pop princess triumphed over many top acts to take home Video Of The Year, Best Pop Video and Best Female Video, all for her "Piece Of Me" video. Chris Brown also took home Best Male Video for "With You".

For more highlights from the exciting ceremony including performances check out the MTV Canada site.

Canadian artist Crystal Shawanda's album, 'Dawn Of A New Day', entered the Billboard Country Albums Chart in the US at #16, making Shawanda the highest charting full-blooded Native American country artist in the SoundScan era. The album features her emotional debut single and Top 20 hit, "You Can Let Go," which continues to climb the country radio charts in the US, while her current Canadian single "What Do I Have To Do" has reached the top 10.

Michael McCall of the Associated Press writes "'Dawn Of A New Day' suggests Nashville has discovered another strong female vocalist capable of establishing her own point of view." You can check out the video for "You Can Let Go" here.

Crystal grew up on the Wikwemikong reservation on Canada's Manitoulin Island where she and her family found daily comfort and hope through music. Shawanda means "Dawn of a New Day" in Crystal's native Ojibwe language, and a new day is what music has given Crystal. A citizen of both the U.S. and Canada, Crystal has always turned to her music, which she credits for saving her life. 'Dawn Of A New Day', which was produced by Scott Hendricks, is dedicated "To Those In Need Of Hope." It is available now.

Earlier this week, the first track from Eva Avila's forthcoming sophomore album hit radio airwaves. With the labour day behind us, "Give Me The Music" is a high-energy piece of summer to hang on to. The track is currently streaming on Eva's site, and keep an ear out for it on the following stations:

Z103.5 Toronto, FLOW Toronto, CHUM FM Toronto, Virgin Radio 999 Toronto, FM92 Brantford, Energie Radio Montreal, CKOI Montreal, C100 Halifax, Z103.5 Halifax, Hits 991 St John's, The Beat Vancouver, Wired Saskatoon, Energy1015 Calgary,

To celebrate the release of "Give Me The Music", a brand new splash page is up on evaavila.com. While Eva is in the studio putting the finishing touches on the album, she's brought along a camera to give us a peak at what she's been up to. Stay tuned for her updates, but in the meantime check out the site for all the latest news and visit the Eva forum to talk about the new single with other fans!

After much speculation, it's official- Britney Spears will be kicking off the MTV Video Music Awards this Sunday September 9. While the pop singer will not be performing, it is still under wraps what her introduction to the show will entail.

"Britney has done everything from perform with a snake, lock lips with Madonna and prove that what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas," said Van Toffler, president of MTV Networks Music/ LOGO/ Films Group. "I can't wait to see what she does to kick off this year's show."

"Piece Of Me", the second single from Spears' most recent album 'Blackout', is nominated for three awards this year including Best Female Video, Best Pop Video and Video Of The Year. "MTV has long played an important role in my career," Spears said in a statement. "How can I not be there to kick off their 25th VMAs? I'm excited to open the entire show, to say hi to my fans and to be nominated."

The whole thing goes down this Sunday September 9 at 9:00pm EST on MuchMusic. Check out www.mtvvma.ca for more information.

A single mother trying to support her kids, a businesswoman in the boardroom, a female astronaut - Alicia Key's newest video "Superwoman" pays tribute to women from all walks of life.

Alicia is looking for a touching story of why you consider yourself or someone you know to be a Superwoman. The person with the story that touches her the most will receive a phone call from Alicia.

What specific qualities do you think today's "Superwomen" embody? Tell us why you consider yourself to be a "Superwoman" and how you have overcome adversities and defied the odds. This is a chance for women all over the world to honor our sacrifices and celebrate our accomplishments!

There are three ways to enter:
1. Call Alicia at 646-248-5158.
*Long distance charges apply
2. Share your story at Alicia's Site
3. Upload your story to YouTube and post it here

Good luck, and don't forget to check out the video for inspiration.

In honour of the Tuesday, September 23 release of Kings of Leon's 4th studio album 'Only By The Night', the band began releasing one "home movie" a day starting on September 1. The videos will appear on www.kingsofleon.com, which has also been relaunched for the album's release.

The 23 home movies will act as webisodes that give fans an insight into the life of the band while they record 'Only By The Night'. So far, we've had two playful and witty looks into recording the tracks "Use Somebody" and "Sex On Fire", the first single from 'Only By The Night'.

Stayed tuned to the official Kings Of Leon site, which now boasts new community features, to check out the home movies as they are released daily.

UK Pop Duo The Tings Tings, master of collaborations T-Pain and rocker P!nk will be joining an impressive list of performers at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards.

While P!nk is a veteran VMA participant with 5 MoonMen awards under her belt, this year is a first for Katie and Jules of The Ting Tings. The Ting Ting's sassy "Shut Up And Let Me Go" has landed them nominations for Best UK Video and Video Of The Year, and T-Pain is included in a number of categories for his collaborations on tracks like Chris Brown's "Kiss Kiss".

The awards show will air Sunday September 7 on MTV. For more information visit MTVVMA.ca.

The "Rock 'N' Roll Train" left the station yesterday, when AC/DC's newest track hit radio airwaves across the country. Their first single in almost 8 years, "Rock 'N' Roll Train" has reached the top 10 on Canadian Rock Charts within 24 hours.

According to ACDC.com, "Rock 'N' Roll Train" is just the first page in the latest chapter in AC/DC history." The song will appear on 'Black Ice', available Tuesday, October 21, alongside 14 other tracks produced by Brendan O'Brien (Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, Rage Against The Machine).

Stream the song online at ACDC.com, ACDCrocks.com, or onthe band's official MySpace page. The video is set to premiere next month.

Newcastle, Ontario's One Second 2 Late have exploded onto the scene with their debut release 'World Time Bomb', available now. Wasting no time at all, they've hit the road this week, invading the West Coast alongside punk rockers Anti-Flag.

On top of being called One of Access Magazine's Top Ten Bands To Watch in 2008, OS2L has shared the stage with similar acts like Social Code, illScarlett, 30 Seconds to Mars, Gob and more. The band hit the jackpot when multi-platinum selling rock producer Greig Nori (Hedley, treble charger) noticed them and started working with them in the fall of 2006. Nori enlisted Billy Talent's Ian D'Sa and together they produced 'World Time Bomb'.

Visit the band's MySpace to hear their first single, "Fear Of A Nation" and check out their tour dates. 'World Time Bomb' has what you need. It's music that's not afraid to rock. It's music that's not afraid to say something. Just the way kids like it.

Following the success of her third album 'The Best Damn Thing', and her North American Tour, Canadian pop rocker Avril Lavigne will release her 'The Best Damn Tour' Live DVD on Tuesday September 9, 2008. Recorded at her sold out April 7, 2008 concert at the Air Canada Center in Toronto, and directed by Wayne Isham (Avril Lavigne, Simple Plan, Sheryl Crow), the DVD will feature live performances of hits such as "Girlfriend," When You're Gone," "Complicated" and "Sk8er Boi."

'The Best Damn Thing', released in April 2007, is already certified platinum in the U.S. and has sold over 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 of Sum 41, 'The Best Damn Thing' was made with fun in mind. This is evident from the first single, "Girlfriend," which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 200 and was named the #1 digital download of 2007, with over 7.3 million copies sold in 8 languages. Now fans can watch the high-spirited energy of the record come to life on the live DVD.

Having sold over 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 on the Billboard charts, as did her much anticipated third album, 'The 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'. Lavigne will be launching her fragrance with Proctor and Gamble in 2009.

For more information visit www.avrillavigne.com or check out the trailer on MyPlay

A newly edited expanded DVD edition of AC/DC's historic performance at Madrid's Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas on July 10, 1996, will be released worldwide on Tuesday September 9 2008. We're throwing 4 advance screenings to see 'No Bull: The Directors Cut', and you're invited! Check out the info below and download your pass now.

CALGARY
Date: Thursday, September 4, 2008
Time: 7:00 pm
Theatre: Kensington Plaza Theatre
Address: 1133 Kensington Road NW
Pass: www.sonybmg.ca/acdc/nobull/ACDC_Moviepass_Calgary.pdf

TORONTO
Date: Thursday, September 4, 2008
Time: 7:00 pm
Theatre: Bloor Street Cinema
Address: 506 Bloor Street
Pass: www.sonybmg.ca/acdc/nobull/ACDC_Moviepass_Toronto.pdf

VANCOUVER
Date: Monday, September 8, 2008
Time: 7:00 pm
Theatre: Ridge Theatre
Address: 3131 Arbutus Street
Pass: www.sonybmg.ca/acdc/nobull/ACDC_Moviepass_Vancouver.pdf

MONTREAL
Date: Thursday, September 4 2008
Time: 7:00 pm
Theatre: Cinema Du Parc
Address: 3575 Avenue Du Parc
Pass : www.sonybmg.ca/acdc/nobull/ACDC_Moviepass_Montreal.pdf

Please note that you should arrive early as seating is limited and not guaranteed. All screenings are free.

Alongside an impressive list of nominations including Female Artist Of The Year and Single Of The Year, it has also been announced that Crystal Shawanda will perform at this years Canadian Country Music Awards.

Crystal released her debut album, 'Dawn Of A New Day' in June 2008. Her single "What Do I Have To Do" is currently sitting at #5 on the Country charts.

Other performers this year include Kellie Pickler and Terri Clark, who is also this year's host. The awards will air live Monday September 8 from Winnipeg, Manitoba at 8pm EST/PST on CBC.

This week P!nk's current single "So What" is the #1 single at iTunes Canada! The catchy and rebellious new song is the first single from her forthcoming album 'Funhouse', available Tuesday October 28.

In addition to the enthusiastic response at radio, "So What" gets a stamp of approval on Entertainment Weekly's "10 Things We Love This Week" list: "The singer's her old self again with this taunting, raspy rebel yell of an anthem that boasts a mean hook. "So What" was co-written by P!nk and produced by Max Martin, who worked with her on 'Who Knew" and "U + Ur Hand." Check out the video on Yahoo! Music Canada now.

Since her debut in 2000, P!nk (Alecia Moore) has been widely hailed as a fearlessly talented singer/songwriter, and the Pennsylvania native's genre-defying creative risk-taking has propelled her to global stardom. To date, the chanteuse has sold 22 million albums cumulatively worldwide. Her previous albums include: her four million-unit selling debut, Can't Take Me Home (2000); her sophomore follow-up, M!ssundaztood (2001) which sold 11 million worldwide; and the 2.7 million worldwide seller Try This (2003). Her most recent effort, I'm Not Dead (2006) sold over 5 million units globally and spawned two No. 1 hits, "Who Knew" and "U + Ur Hand" along with critic/fan favorites, "Stupid Girls" and "Dear Mr. President."

The new album from Dido, 'Safe Trip Home' will be released November 4, 2008.

Recorded in Los Angeles and London, Safe Trip Home is co-produced by: Jon Brion (Fiona Apple, Kayne West, Rufus Wainwright, The Eels); Ark, the new production company of Rollo Armstrong (Faithless); and Dido. The record also features a song co-written with Brian Eno.

To coincide with this announcement a track from the album will be available for free download. From midday, Friday August 22 (EST), "Look No Further" will be available on the official Dido site. A single, "Don't Believe in Love", will also be available to purchase before the release of the album.

'Safe Trip Home' is Dido's third studio record, following her globally chart topping albums 'No Angel' and 'Life for Rent'.

Tuesday October 14 will mark the release of 'Elvis Presley Christmas Duets', which is the first Elvis Presley duet recordings album and the first Christmas compilation of its kind ever produced. Featuring many of today's biggest country artists, this release marks yet another milestone in Elvis Presley's legacy, 31 years after his death.

To be as faithful as possible to Presley's original songs, the new disc was recorded at the same studio Presley recorded the original 1971 Christmas session. Carrie Underwood's vocals will be featured on "I'll Be Home For Christmas", as well as Sara Evans on "Silent Night", and Canadian Anne Murray on "Silver Bells". Other top artists to appear on the compilation include Gretchen Wilson, LeAnn Rimes and Martina McBride.

'Elvis' Christmas Album' is the top-selling holiday release of all time, and while he only recorded 20 Christmas songs, his albums Holiday albums appear on the charts year after year. Keep updated on Elvis news by visiting the official Elvis site.

Just two years after the release of his chart topping and platinum selling debut album 'Once Again', multi talented singer-songwriter-pianist-performer John Legend is back in the studio, putting the finishing touches on the eagerly awaited 'Evolver'. Available Tuesday October 28, 'Evolver' will see the five-time Grammy award winner joined by Kayne West, Estelle, Andre 3000 and more.

Legend has already given fans a sneak peek at what's to come. The first single off of 'Evolver' is "Green Light", featuring Andre 3000. Last month, the track became available on Myspace, and New York area fans got the first taste of more new songs at an exclusive "Unplugged 2008" concert at Manhattan's Highline Ballroom.

This year, John Legend also released 'Live From Philadelphia', a concert album available as either a CD or CD/DVD combination. He also received the Humanitarian Award from CARE for his Show Me Campaign to fight economic and spiritual poverty through fostering sustainable development. For more information, visit www.showmecampaign.flux.com.

Kings of Leon have confirmed their first North American tour in support of the band's new record, 'Only By The Night'. The album will be released on September 23, and the tour kicks off on street date with an exclusive club show at New York's Webster Hall. It will run through November, making a stop in Toronto on November 7 at the Kool Haus .

The first single from 'Only By The Night' is the explosive and memorable "Sex On Fire," which is available now as a digital download. After premiering earlier this month on MySpace and the official Kings Of Leon site, the single is receiving positive feedback. In an interview with NME, singer Caleb Follwill described the track by saying "There's an element of sex that's expected in our songs, so I tried to wrap it all up in one song." The video was recently shot in Los Angeles with renowned director Sophie Muller.

Starting September 1, the band will host a series of home movies that document the making of 'Only By The Night'. Every day leading up to the release date, a new home movie will be featured on kingsofleon.com and the band's MySpace page.

'Only By The Night' was recorded at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, TN, and was produced by Angelo Petraglia and Jacquire King. It is a bold and expansive sonic statement that looks set to solidify Kings of Leon's position as one of the most important international acts of 2008 and beyond. It follows rapidly in the footsteps of the band's previous albums, "Youth And Young Manhood", "Aha Shake Heartbreak" and "Because Of The Times", all of which have quickly established them as one of the most prolific and acclaimed acts around.

Visit Kingsofleon.com for more information and tour dates, and check out the 'Only By The Night' teaser on the band's YouTube channel.

AC/DC will be releasing their long awaited studio album 'Black Ice' worldwide on Tuesday, October 21. 'Black Ice' is the first full-length studio album of all-new material from AC/DC since the release of 'Stiff Upper Lip' in 2000.

Produced by Brendan O'Brien at the Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, BC, 'Black Ice' premieres 15 new AC/DC compositions and performances including the album's first single, "Rock 'N' Roll Train", which will hit radio airwaves around the world on August 28 with a video debuting in September.

'No Bull: The Director's Cut,' a newly edited expanded DVD edition of AC/DC's historic performance at Madrid's Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas on July 10, 1996, will be released worldwide on September 9, 2008. 'No Bull: The Director's Cut' has been remixed in Dolby Digital Stereo and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and includes the original concert showcasing more than two hours of music as well as bonus features.

AC/DC will embark on a major world tour, the group's first since 2001, beginning late October. Keep an eye on AC/DC's official site for more information.

Nominations for the 2008 Canadian Country Music Awards are in! The award show is hosted by country artist Terri Clark , who is also up for Female Artist of the Year.

Crystal Shawanda, who released her debut album 'Dawn Of A New Day' in June 2008, is for Female Artist Of The Year and Single Of The Year for her single 'You Can Let Go'. Margaret Malandruccolo is up for Video Director Of The Year for her work on Crystal's video, and the CMT special 'Crystal: Living The Dream' is nominated for Country Music Program or Special Of The Year as well.

Carrie Underwood has also been recognized in the Top Selling Album category for her platinum selling album 'Carnival Ride'.

The awards ceremony will take place at MTS Centre in Winnipeg and air Monday September 8 at 8:00pm on CBC. For more information visit www.ccma.org.

T-Pain, the self proclaimed ring leader, is ready to take the world for a ride. The artist, producer, collaborator and record breaking ringtone seller has already been on top of the charts this year with his work on tracks like Chris Brown's "Kiss Kiss" and Flo Rida's "Low". Now, he's taking the lead with "Can't Believe It" featuring Lil Wayne, the first single from his forthcoming album 'Thr33 Ringz.'

T-Pain gives a shout out to Toronto in "Can't Believe It", which is streaming now on his official site. A Casanova song, the track is about "getting a girl to ride with you," says T-Pain.

Other tracks to be included on the album are: "Freeze" featuring Chris Brown, an up-tempo jam that is destined to be the dance floor hit of the year; "Chopped & Screwed" featuring rapper Ludacris, a lyrically clever urban anthem; "Karaoke" featuring DJ Khaled, a personal and controversial declaration to the industry; and collaboration with Kanye West called "Therapy."

The video for "Can't Believe It" is premiering Monday August 25 on Yahoo! Music Canada. Head over to T-Pain's site to check out the track in the meantime.