"THE 2011 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS" TO HONOR LEGENDARY SINGER NEIL DIAMOND WITH THE ICON AWARD, SUNDAY, MAY 22 ON ABC

Diamond to Also Take to the Stage and Perform

Kylie Minogue, Matthew Morrison, Joe Jonas, Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Tim Allen and More to Present from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas

Legendary singer and songwriter Neil Diamond will receive the 2011 Billboard Icon awarded to honor an enduring legend in music. It honors the cultural impact of an artist whose extraordinary talent as a creator, writer and entertainer has stood the test of time. Diamond will also take to the stage and perform. The award will be presented at "The 2011 Billboard Music Awards," hosted by Ken Jeong, which airs live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on SUNDAY, MAY 22 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Kylie Minogue, Matthew Morrison, Joe Jonas, Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Tim Allen, Keri Hilson, Kelly Rowland, Nas, Rico Rodriguez, Scott Weiland, Travis Barker and Trey Songz have been announced as presenters. They join previously announced musical acts Rihanna, Black Eyed Peas, Cee Lo Green, Nicki Minaj, Ke$ha, Keith Urban, Pitbull, Lady Antebellum, Far East Movement, Ne-Yo, OneRepublic and Taio Cruz. Beyonc� is set to receive the 2011 Billboard Millennium Award for her work as an innovative artist who is currently defining her times.

Neil Diamond, an iconic and celebrated recording artist and songwriter, has sold over 128 million records worldwide, achieving 39 top 10 singles and 18 platinum albums. Diamond has been a force on Billboard charts for over 40 years, scoring a combined 12 No. 1's on the Billboard 200, Hot 100 and AC Charts. Reinforcing the legend's staying power, Diamond scored his first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 just three years ago, when "Home Before Dark" opened atop the chart in 2008. Diamond is the only artist to score a top 20 hit in each decade since Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart launched in 1961, starting with "Sweet Caroline" in 1969. With 17 top 10 albums on the Billboard 200, he ranks among the top four male singers with the most such hit collections, and is one of just four men to scale the Billboard 200's top 10 in each decade since the 1960s. Among men in the Hot 100chart's five-decade history, Diamond has the 10th most hits, with 53.

Tickets prices begin at $57.75 for Upper Level, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are now on sale and available at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith's Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Finalists are based on key fan interactions with music, including album, single and digital sales, airplay, touring, streaming and social interactions on MySpace, Facebook and many of the other most popular online destinations for music. The awards will be based on the reporting period of February 28, 2010 through March 1, 2011.

"The 2011 Billboard Music Awards" is a production co-executive produced by Richard D. Beckman, CEO Prometheus Global Media and Don Mischer Productions. Louis J. Horvitz is directing. David Wild and Jennifer Mischer are the writers.

The special will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HD format, with 5.1 channel surround sound. . This program carries a TV-14 D, L,S parental guideline.

Visit www.Billboard.com/BBMA.com for a complete list of finalists and to apply for media credentials. Music fans can also follow news about the show or related events on Twitter at www.twitter.com/billboarddotcom or Facebook at www.facebook.com/billboard.