A&E Network will premiere "Private Sessions," a weekly one-hour performance and interview series hosted by Lynn Hoffman. Filmed in a small, intimate studio in New York City, the series will showcase exclusive performances and conversations with top names in entertainment with a focus on contemporary music ranging from rock 'n' roll to pop to country.

Each Sunday morning "Private Sessions" will explore the body of work of a single artist or group and feature current releases as well as career-building, influential or defining projects.

The premiere episode of "Private Sessions" features pop princess Avril Lavigne, whose third album "The Best Damn Thing" debuted at number one on Billboard's Top 200 album chart. Avril chats with Lynn Hoffman and performs "Girlfriend," her new hit single which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, her first-ever hit "Complicated," and several other songs from her new album.

Artists slated to appear on upcoming episodes of "Private Sessions" include The Goo Goo Dolls on July 29, country music star Toby Keith on August 5, blues-rock band Blues Traveler on August 12 and rocker Meat Loaf on August 19. Nine additional episodes are planned for production in 2007.