NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR "THE 49TH ANNUAL GRAMMY� AWARDS" WITH WINNERS TO BE NAMED ON A SPECIAL TO BE BROADCAST LIVE FROM STAPLES CENTER IN LOS ANGELES, SUNDAY, FEB. 11 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

Mary J. Blige Leads The Nominations With Eight, The Red Hot Chili Peppers Receive Six, James Blunt, The Dixie Chicks, John Mayer, Danger Mouse, Prince, Rick Rubin, Will.I.Am and John Williams Receive Five Nominations Each And Beyonc�, Bryan-Michael Cox, Gnarls Barkley, Israel Houghton, T.I. and Justin Timberlake Receive Four Each

The Dixie Chicks, Gnarls Barkley, John Mayer, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Justin Timberlake Are Nominated For Album of the Year

Nominations were announced today for THE 49TH ANNUAL GRAMMY� AWARDS with winners of the awards, generally recognized as the most prestigious in the recording field, to be announced during a special to be broadcast live from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Sunday, Feb. 11 (8:00-11:30 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. The nominations reflect a year in which multiple genres were represented in the top categories, new up-and-comers are nominated alongside established artists and a diverse array of producers and other creative professionals received multiple nominations.

Mary J. Blige leads the nominations with eight, the Red Hot Chili Peppers received six, James Blunt, The Dixie Chicks, John Mayer, Danger Mouse, Prince, Rick Rubin, will.i.am and John Williams received five nominations each and Beyonc�, Bryan-Michael Cox, Gnarls Barkley, Israel Houghton, T.I. and Justin Timberlake received four each.

The Dixie Chicks, Gnarls Barkley, John Mayer, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Justin Timberlake are nominated for Album of the Year. Mary J. Blige, James Blunt, Dixie Chicks, Gnarls Barkley and Corinne Bailey Rae are nominated for Record of the Year. Rock troubadour James Blunt, R&B singer Chris Brown, British singer/songwriter Imogen Heap, neo-soul singer Corinne Bailey Rae and country singer Carrie Underwood are nominated for Best New Artist.

Mary J. Blige is nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals (with U2), Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group (with Jamie Foxx), Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance (featuring Raphael Saadiq), Best R&B Song and Best R&B Album. Red Hot Chili Peppers are nominated for Album of the Year, Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, Best Rock Song, Best Rock Album, Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package and Best Short Form Music Video.

James Blunt is nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album. The Dixie Chicks are nominated for Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Country Album. John Mayer is nominated for Album of the Year, Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance and Best Rock Album. Danger Mouse is nominated for Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, Best Alternative Music Album and Best Urban/Alternative Performance. Prince is nominated for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals (with T�mar), Best Urban/Alternative Performance, Best R&B Song and Best R&B Album. Rick Rubin is nominated for Record of the Year, Producer of the Year, Non-Classical and he received three Album of the Year nominations. Will.i.am is nominated for Best Urban/Alternative Performance and Producer of the Year, Non-Classical (as will.i.am), Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Urban/Alternative Performance (as The Black Eyed Peas) and Album of the Year (as Jawbreakers). John Williams received two nominations for Best Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or other Visual Media, two for Best Instrumental Composition and one for Best Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (with Orchestra).

Beyonc� is nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Best Contemporary R&B Album, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (featuring Jay-Z) and Best R&B Song. Brian-Michael Cox is nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and he received two nominations for Best R&B Song. Gnarls Barkley is nominated for Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Alternative Music Album and Best Urban/Alternative Performance. Israel Houghton is nominated for Best Gospel Performance (& New Breed), Best Gospel Song, Best Traditional Gospel Album and Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album. T.I. is nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (with Justin Timberlake), Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song. Justin Timberlake is nominated for Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Dance Recording and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (featuring T.I.).

Highlights of this year's nominations include:

RECORD OF THE YEAR

BE WITHOUT YOU -- Mary J. Blige -- Bryan-Michael Cox, producer

YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL -- James Blunt -- Tom Rothrock, producer

NOT READY TO MAKE NICE -- Dixie Chicks -- Rick Rubin, producer

CRAZY -- Gnarls Barkley -- Danger Mouse, producer

PUT YOUR RECORDS ON -- Corinne Bailey Rae -- Steve Chrisanthou, producer

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

TAKING THE LONG WAY -- Dixie Chicks -- Rick Rubin, producer

ST. ELSEWHERE -- Gnarls Barkley -- Danger Mouse, producer

CONTINUUM -- John Mayer -- Steve Jordan & John Mayer, producers

STADIUM ARCADIUM -- Red Hot Chili Peppers -- Rick Rubin, producer

FUTURESEX/LOVESOUNDS -- Justin Timberlake -- Nate (Danga) Hills, Jawbreakers, Rick Rubin, Timbaland & Justin Timberlake, producers

SONG OF THE YEAR

BE WITHOUT YOU -- Johnta Austin, Mary J. Blige, Bryan-Michael Cox & Jason Perry, songwriters (Mary J. Blige)

JESUS, TAKE THE WHEEL -- Brett James, Hillary Lindsey & Gordie Sampson, songwriters (Carrie Underwood)

NOT READY TO MAKE NICE -- Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines, Emily Robison & Dan Wilson, songwriters (Dixie Chicks)

PUT YOUR RECORDS ON -- John Beck, Steve Chrisanthou & Corinne Bailey Rae, songwriters (Corinne Bailey Rae)

YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL -- James Blunt, Amanda Ghost & Sacha Skarbek, songwriters (James Blunt)

BEST NEW ARTIST

JAMES BLUNT

CHRIS BROWN

IMOGEN HEAP

CORINNE BAILEY RAE

CARRIE UNDERWOOD

BEST FEMALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCE

AIN'T NO OTHER MAN -- Christina Aguilera

UNWRITTEN -- Natasha Bedingfield

YOU CAN CLOSE YOUR EYES -- Sheryl Crow

STUPID GIRLS -- Pink

BLACK HORSE AND THE CHERRY TREE -- KT Tunstall

BEST MALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCE

YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL -- James Blunt

SAVE ROOM -- John Legend

WAITING ON THE WORLD TO CHANGE -- John Mayer

JENNY WREN -- Paul McCartney

BAD DAY -- Daniel Powter

BEST POP PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCAL

MY HUMPS -- The Black Eyed Peas

I WILL FOLLOW YOU INTO THE DARK -- Death Cab For Cutie

OVER MY HEAD (CABLE CAR) -- The Fray

IS IT ANY WONDER? -- Keane

STICKWITU -- The Pussycat Dolls

BEST POP COLLABORATION WITH VOCALS

FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE -- Tony Bennett & Stevie Wonder

ONE -- Mary J. Blige & U2

ALWAYS ON YOUR SIDE -- Sheryl Crow & Sting

PROMISCUOUS -- Nelly Furtado & Timbaland

HIPS DON'T LIE -- Shakira & Wyclef Jean

BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM

BACK TO BASICS -- Christina Aguilera

BACK TO BEDLAM -- James Blunt

THE RIVER IN REVERSE -- Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint

CONTINUUM -- John Mayer

FUTURESEX/LOVESOUNDS -- Justin Timberlake

BEST DANCE RECORDING

SUFFER WELL -- Depeche Mode

OOH LA LA -- Goldfrapp

GET TOGETHER -- Madonna

I'M WITH STUPID -- Pet Shop Boys

SEXY BACK -- Justin Timberlake & Timbaland

BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM

DUETS: AN AMERICAN CLASSIC -- Tony Bennett

CAUGHT IN THE ACT -- Michael Bubl�

WINTERSONG -- Sarah McLachlan

BETTE MIDLER SINGS THE PEGGY LEE SONGBOOK -- Bette Midler

TIMELESS LOVE -- Smokey Robinson

BEST SOLO ROCK VOCAL PERFORMANCE

NAUSEA -- Beck

SOMEDAY BABY -- Bob Dylan

ROUTE 66 -- John Mayer

SAVING GRACE -- Tom Petty

LOOKIN' FOR A LEADER -- Neil Young

BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCAL

TALK -- Coldplay

HOW TO SAVE A LIFE -- The Fray

STEADY, AS SHE GOES -- The Raconteurs

DANI CALIFORNIA -- Red Hot Chili Peppers

THE SAINTS ARE COMING -- U2 & Green Day

BEST ROCK SONG

CHASING CARS -- Nathan Connolly, Gary Lightbody, Jonny Quinn, Tom Simpson & Paul Wilson, songwriters (Snow Patrol)

DANI CALIFORNIA -- Flea, John Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis & Chad Smith, songwriters (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

LOOKIN' FOR A LEADER -- Neil Young, songwriter (Neil Young)

SOMEDAY BABY -- Bob Dylan, songwriter (Bob Dylan)

WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG -- Brandon Flowers, Dave Keuning, Mark Stoermer & Ronnie Vannucci, songwriters (The Killers)

BEST ROCK ALBUM

TRY! -- John Mayer Trio

HIGHWAY COMPANION -- Tom Petty

BROKEN BOY SOLDIERS -- The Raconteurs

STADIUM ARCADIUM -- Red Hot Chili Peppers

LIVING WITH WAR -- Neil Young

BEST HARD ROCK PERFORMANCE

CRAZY BITCH -- Buckcherry

EVERY DAY IS EXACTLY THE SAME -- Nine Inch Nails

LONELY DAY -- System Of A Down

VICARIOUS -- Tool

WOMAN -- Wolfmother

BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM

WHATEVER PEOPLE SAY I AM, THAT'S WHAT I'M NOT -- Arctic Monkeys

AT WAR WITH THE MYSTICS -- The Flaming Lips

ST. ELSEWHERE -- Gnarls Barkley

SHOW YOUR BONES -- Yeah Yeah Yeahs

THE ERASER -- Thom Yorke

BEST FEMALE R&B VOCAL PERFORMANCE

RING THE ALARM -- Beyonc�

BE WITHOUT YOU -- Mary J. Blige

DON'T FORGET ABOUT US -- Mariah Carey

DAY DREAMING -- Natalie Cole

I AM NOT MY HAIR -- India.Arie

BEST MALE R&B VOCAL PERFORMANCE

HEAVEN -- John Legend

SO SICK -- Ne-Yo

BLACK SWEAT -- Prince

I CALL IT LOVE -- Lionel Richie

GOT YOU HOME -- Luther Vandross

BEST R&B PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCAL

BREEZIN' -- George Benson & Al Jarreau

LOVE CHANGES -- Jamie Foxx Featuring Mary J. Blige

EVERYDAY (FAMILY REUNION) -- Chaka Khan, Gerald Levert, Yolanda Adams & Carl Thomas

FAMILY AFFAIR -- (Sly & The Family Stone), John Legend, Joss Stone With Van Hunt

BEAUTIFUL, LOVED AND BLESSED -- Prince & T�mar

BEST R&B SONG

BE WITHOUT YOU -- Johnta Austin, Mary J. Blige, Bryan-Michael Cox & Jason Perry, songwriters (Mary J. Blige)

BLACK SWEAT -- Prince, songwriter (Prince)

D�J� VU -- Shawn Carter, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Beyonc� Knowles, Makeba, Keli Nicole Price & Delisha Thomas, songwriters (Beyonc� Featuring Jay-Z)

DON'T FORGET ABOUT US -- Johnta Austin, Mariah Carey, Bryan-Michael Cox & Jermaine Dupri, songwriters (Mariah Carey)

I AM NOT MY HAIR -- Drew Ramsey, Shannon Sanders & India Arie Simpson, songwriters (India.Arie)

BEST R&B ALBUM

THE BREAKTHROUGH -- Mary J. Blige

UNPREDICTABLE -- Jamie Foxx

TESTIMONY: VOL. 1, LIFE & RELATIONSHIP -- India.Arie

3121 -- Prince

COMING HOME -- Lionel Richie

BEST CONTEMPORARY R&B ALBUM

B'DAY -- Beyonc�

CHRIS BROWN -- Chris Brown

20 Y.O. -- Janet Jackson

KELIS WAS HERE -- Kelis

IN MY OWN WORDS -- Ne-Yo

BEST RAP/SUNG COLLABORATION

SMACK THAT -- Akon Featuring Eminem

D�J� VU -- Beyonc� Featuring Jay-Z

SHAKE THAT -- Eminem Featuring Nate Dogg

UNPREDICTABLE -- Jamie Foxx Featuring Ludacris

MY LOVE -- Justin Timberlake Featuring T.I.

BEST RAP SOLO PERFORMANCE

TOUCH IT -- Busta Rhymes

WE RUN THIS -- Missy Elliott

KICK, PUSH -- Lupe Fiasco

UNDENIABLE -- Mos Def

WHAT YOU KNOW -- T.I.

BEST RAP PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP

RIDIN -- Chamillionaire Featuring Krayzie Bone

GEORGIA -- Ludacris & Field Mob (Featuring Jamie Foxx)

GRILLZ -- Nelly Featuring Paul Wall, Ali & Gipp

MIGHTY "O" -- Outkast

DON'T FEEL RIGHT -- The Roots

BEST RAP SONG

IT'S GOIN' DOWN -- Chadron Moore & Jasiel Robinson, songwriters (Yung Joc)

KICK, PUSH -- Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, songwriter (Lupe Fiasco)

MONEY MAKER -- Christopher Bridges & Pharrell Williams, songwriters (Ludacris Featuring Pharrell)

RIDIN -- Anthony Henderson, J. Slainas, O. Salinas & Hakeem Seriki, songwriters (Chamillionaire Featuring Krayzie Bone)

WHAT YOU KNOW -- A. Davis & Clifford Harris, songwriters; (Donny Hathaway, Leroy Hutson & Curtis Mayfield, songwriters) (T.I.)

BEST RAP ALBUM

LUPE FIASCO'S FOOD & LIQUOR -- Lupe Fiasco R

ELEASE THERAPY -- Ludacris

IN MY MIND -- Pharrell

GAME THEORY -- The Roots

KING -- T.I.

BEST COUNTRY SONG

EVERY MILE A MEMORY -- Brett Beavers, Dierks Bentley & Steve Bogard, songwriters (Dierks Bentley)

I DON'T FEEL LIKE LOVING YOU TODAY -- Matraca Berg & Jim Collins, songwriters (Gretchen Wilson)

JESUS, TAKE THE WHEEL -- Brett James, Hillary Lindsey & Gordie Sampson, songwriters (Carrie Underwood)

LIKE RED ON A ROSE -- Melanie Castleman & Robert Lee Castleman, songwriters (Alan Jackson)

WHAT HURTS THE MOST -- Steve Robson & Jeffrey Steele, songwriters (Rascal Flatts)

BEST COUNTRY ALBUM

TAKING THE LONG WAY -- Dixie Chicks

LIKE RED ON A ROSE -- Alan Jackson

THE ROAD TO HERE -- Little Big Town

YOU DON'T KNOW ME: THE SONGS OF CINDY WALKER -- Willie Nelson

YOUR MAN -- Josh Turner

BEST LATIN POP ALBUM

ADENTRO -- Arjona

LO QUE TRAJO EL BARCO -- Obie Berm�dez

INDIVIDUAL -- Fulano

TROZOS DE MI ALMA 2 -- Marco Antonio Solis

LIM�N Y SAL -- Julieta Venegas

BEST COMPILATION SOUNDTRACK ALBUM FOR MOTION PICTURE, TELEVISION OR OTHER VISUAL MEDIA

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN -- Various Artists

CARS -- Various Artists

GREY'S ANATOMY - VOLUME 2 -- Various Artists

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE -- Various Artists

WALK THE LINE -- Joaquin Phoenix & Various Artists

BEST SCORE SOUNDTRACK ALBUM FOR A MOTION PICTURE, TELEVISION OR OTHER VISUAL MEDIA

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA - THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE -- Harry Gregson-Williams, composer

THE DA VINCI CODE -- Hans Zimmer, composer

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA -- John Williams, composer

MUNICH -- John Williams, composer

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN - DEAD MAN'S CHEST -- Hans Zimmer, composer

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR -- NON CLASSICAL

HOWARD BENSON

T BONE BURNETT

DANGER MOUSE

RICK RUBIN

WILL.I.AM

BEST SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO

8TH OF NOVEMBER -- Big & Rich -- Robert Deaton, George Flanigen & Marc Oswald, video directors

WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG -- The Killers -- Anthony Mandler, video director

HERE IT GOES AGAIN -- OK Go -- Dan Konopka, Damian Kulash, Jr, Timothy Nordwind, Andy Ross & Trish Sie, video directors

DANI CALIFORNIA -- Red Hot Chili Peppers -- Tony Kaye, video director

WRITING ON THE WALLS -- Underoath

Additional nominations were announced in a number of categories in the fields of rock, country, jazz, pop, dance, alternative, R&B, classical, gospel, soundtracks, Latin, blues, reggae, folk, rap, new age, music videos and children's recordings. Composer awards will be presented in several fields, as will awards for various crafts.

THE 49TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS are produced by John Cossette Productions in association with Ken Ehrlich Productions for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich and John Cossette are the executive producers; Walter C. Miller is the producer/director; Tisha Fein is the coordinating producer. David Wild is the writer and Tzvi Small is the supervising producer.