Major and minor

Music shows are crowding the airwaves these days, with a roster on young unknown singers scrambling to compete for a dream recording contract and a shot at ultra stardom.

“Majors & Minors” is one of those shows. It’s about discovering voices which may otherwise not be heard, but there is a twist on this show: there is no elimination. It follows the growth of twelve young singers who, each week, are given mentoring by recording artist. Tonight, that someone is Avril Lavigne. Speakeasy chatted with her about her appearance on the show and whether or not she could relate to the kids, since she also got her start at a young age.

“I had the opportunity to talk to them and answer questions about how I got my start and what to expect, what its like for me today,” Lavigne said. “It was a nice, humbling and refreshing experience for me.”

She said she tried to describe for them what life as a performer could be like for them.

“I always tell people, if you have a dream go for it. Believe in yourself. It requires a lot of dedication and hard work. Depending on the lever you want to get to, you have to travel a lot, you don’t see your friends and family a lot. You have to be prepared for that.

She also worked with them on their music. For tonight’s show, they singers learned one of her songs and performed it. As a mentor, she was able to talk to the kids about their vocal chords, and explained to them that it’s a muscle, that needs to be warmed up and taken care of and trained.

The Canadian rocker spent much of October at home in Canada, which she said has a “whole different vibe” than LA does.

Her new single “Wish You Were Here” releases on November 1.

admin1998aa15

Photos of Avril Lavigne

Still friends

Avril Lavigne stopped by Chelsea Lately Monday night to dish on her divorce, new album, and "girl crush" on Chelsea Handler.

Lavigne's ex, Sum 41 vocalist Deryck Whibley, produced many of the tracks on her new album, Goodbye Lullaby. The couple was married for four years before they split in July 2010.

"We're not doing each other but yes, we're friends," Lavigne said. "I really respect him as a person and as an artist so it's all good."

Lavigne, who is "grateful for the relationship" with her ex, told Handler that she would consider marrying again.

"It's all about love and I make that my number one priority," she said. "One day I would hope to have kids and do that whole thing. Right now I'm very focused on my career, my album, my tour and naturally when that happens for me next, ya I'll go for

Photos of Avril Lavigne

About X

This week, Avril Lavigne released her new album, Goodbye Lullaby, an emotionally charged record that will leave some fans wondering just who she is singing about. With a highly publicized divorce from Sum 41 singer Deryck Whibley and equally highly publicized romance with "Hills" star Brody Jenner, Lavigne says that she doesn't really care if fans are trying to decode her songs.

"At this point, because I've been doing this for 10 years, I've kind of learned ... my life lesson has been about not worrying about people and what they think," she told MTV News. "Obviously I care. I want people to like my music and stuff. I've had to learn to really focus on myself: who I am, what I want ... You don't want to have distractions, especially when you're being creative."

Lavigne's ex-husband Whibley worked on many of the album's tracks. And considering how well the former spouses get along, the spunky pop star doesn't seem bothered by public speculation about her personal life. "I respect Deryck so much as an artist, and he produced several songs on this record," she explained. "I mean, he's in a really cool band, he's a writer and he's a rocker."

Whibley's skills and the duo's easygoing nature are what helped make magic happen in the studio. "He's a musician. He does it all, and to have him come on this album and produce and mix, it's like he's so talented, I was really happy to have him produce on this record," she added. "He did a really amazing job. We're great friends and I'm grateful for the relationship

Photos of Avril Lavigne