NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED TODAY FOR THE 33rd ANNUAL "AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS," AIRING LIVE NOVEMBER 22 ON ABC

Nominees for the 33rd annual "American Music Awards" were announced today at the Beverly Hills Hotel by singer/writer/producer Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds and reggae songstress Rihanna. The 21 awards will be presented during the "33rd Annual American Music Awards" telecast on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. The special will emanate from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California and be hosted by Cedric "The Entertainer."

Nominations for the "American Music Awards" are in eight categories -- Pop/Rock, Country, Soul/Rhythm & Blues, Rap/Hip-Hop, Adult Contemporary, Latin Music, Contemporary Inspirational and Alternative Music. In addition, an award will also be presented for Favorite New Breakthrough Artist.

The complete list of nominees, many of whom will attend the ceremonies either as presenters or as performers, follows:

POP/ROCK
Favorite Male Artist: 50 Cent, Will Smith, Rob Thomas
Favorite Female Artist: Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, Gwen Stefani
Favorite Band, Duo or Group: The Black Eyed Peas, Green Day, 3 Doors Down
Favorite Album: "The Emancipation of Mimi" (Mariah Carey), "Breakaway" (Kelly Clarkson), "American Idiot" (Green Day)

SOUL/RHYTHM & BLUES
Favorite Male Artist: R. Kelly, John Legend, Omarion
Favorite Female Artist: Mariah Carey, Ciara, Fantasia
Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Destiny's Child, 112, Pretty Ricky
Favorite Album: "The Emancipation of Mimi" (Mariah Carey), "Destiny Fulfilled" (Destiny's Child), "Free Yourself" (Fantasia)

COUNTRY
Favorite Male Artist: Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw
Favorite Female Artist: Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, Gretchen Wilson
Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts
Favorite Album: "Honkytonk University" (Toby Keith), "Live Like You Were Dying" (Tim McGraw), "Here For The Party" (Gretchen Wilson)

RAP/HIP-HOP
Favorite Male Artist: Eminem, 50 Cent, Ludacris
Favorite Female Artist: Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim, Trina
Favorite Band, Duo or Group: The Black Eyed Peas, Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz, Ying Yang Twins
Favorite Album: "Encore" (Eminem), "The Massacre" (50 Cent), "Urban Legend" (T.I.)

ADULT CONTEMPORARY
Favorite Artist: Kelly Clarkson, Maroon 5, John Mayer

LATIN MUSIC
Favorite Artist: Daddy Yankee, Luis Miguel, Shakira

ALTERNATIVE MUSIC
Favorite Artist: Coldplay, Green Day, System Of A Down

CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
Favorite Artist: Casting Crowns, Jars of Clay, Mary Mary

BREAKTHROUGH
Favorite New Artist (All Genres): The Killers, Jesse McCartney, Sugarland

Winners of the annual "American Music Awards" are selected by the public. A national sampling of approximately 20,000, taking into account age, sex, geographical location and ethnic origin, have been sent ballots by the National Family Opinion, Inc. firm under the supervision of Broadcast Research and Consulting, Inc. Names of the nominees on the ballots were compiled from data supplied by the music industry trade publication, Radio & Records, and the Soundscan Inc. management information system. Results of the voting, tabulated by the Ernst & Young LLP accounting firm, are kept secret until envelopes are opened during the presentation ceremonies.

The "American Music Awards" is a presentation of dick clark productions, inc., with Allen Shapiro serving as executive producer. Producer is Larry Klein, with Jeff Margolis directing. Writers are Barry Adelman and Fred Bronson. Executive in charge of production is Bob Bardo. Associate producer is Don Harary. John Shaffner and Joe Stewart are the production designers. Talent executive is Melissa Trueblood. Executive in charge is Fran La Maina.