Adam Lambert arrived for AMA rehearsals earlier this week/ABC
If you're ready for something other than football tonight, click your TV dial on over to ABC for the 37th Annual American Music Awards at 8/7c, live from the Nokia Theatre. Getting things started will be Janet Jackson, as she performs the sole new single Make Me from her recently released 2-disc greatest hits Janet : Number Ones. Also set to perform tonight are Adam Glambert Lambert, performing live for the first time on network television since he came in first runner-up at this year's American Idol. Adam will be performing For Your Entertainment, the title track from his debut CD, which hits stores tomorrow. According to those close to Glambert, the performance will incorporate an industrial gothic, vintage Berlin look that promises to be the talk of the water cooler the following day...Sounds like a futuristic take on the Minelli/Grey film adaptation of Cabaret if you ask me.
Lambert may be the hottest former AI star to grace the stage, but he won't be the only one. Former American Idol Season One winner, Kelly Clarkson; Season Four winner, Carrie Underwood; and Season Five fourth-place finalist, Daughtry are also set to rock the live show. If TV talent winners aren't your bag, surely someone in the line up will get your musical approval, as the list of entertainers taking to the stage to perform includes: Black Eyed Peas, Green Day, Jennifer Lopez, Lady GaGa, Whitney Houston, Shakira, Rihanna, Eminem and a duet from Jay-Z & Alicia Keys.
As for the awards themselves, the late Michael Jackson leads the nominees with five nods. Lady GaGa, Taylor Swift and Eminem round out the most-nominated artists. Below is a full list of the nominees. As usual, I weigh in with my picks for the winners in BOLD, with comments in italics.
American Music Awards Nominees
POP or ROCK MUSIC
Artist of the Year
Kings of Leon
Taylor Swift
Lady GaGa (I think Lady GaGa just might take the biggest honor home, considering the stellar year she's had)
Eminem
Michael Jackson
Favorite Male Artist
Eminem
Michael Jackson (it will be yet another night of much deserved tributes to the King of Pop)
T.I.
Favorite Female Artist
Beyonce
Lady Gaga
Taylor Swift (God help us if Kanye is in the house)
Favorite Band, Duo or Group
Black Eyed Peas
Kings of Leon (Nashville's hometown favorites should take this honor, but Black Eyed Peas just might)
Nickelback
Favorite Album
Lady Gaga / Fame
Michael Jackson / Number Ones
Taylor Swift / Fearless (it comes down to a Lady...and I use the term loosely, The King and a Princess)
COUNTRY MUSIC
Favorite Male Artist
Jason Aldean
Darius Rucker ( I think the CMAs set a precedence for this one)
Keith Urban
Favorite Female Artist
Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift (what can I say, it's gonna be a good night for Taylor)
Carrie Underwood
Favorite Band, Duo or Group
Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
Zac Brown Band
Favorite Album
Rascal Flatts/ Unstoppable
Taylor Swift / Fearless
Zac Brown Band / Foundation
RAP/HIP-HOP MUSIC
Favorite Male Artist
Eminem (in true Dick Clark-produced fashion, if you perform, chances are you win)
Jay-Z
T. I.
Favorite Album
Eminem / Relapse
Jay-Z / Blueprint 3 (see above)
T.I. / Paper Trail
SOUL/RHYTHM & BLUES MUSIC
Favorite Male Artist
Jamie Foxx
Michael Jackson (if MJ doesn't win this one one final time, look for Jamie Foxx to pay tribute in his acceptance speech)
Maxwell
Favorite Female Artist
Beyonce (good thing Taylor isn't an R&B singer)
Keyshia Cole
Keri Hilson
Favorite Band, Duo or Group
Black Eyed Peas (this too follows the if they sing on the show, they win the award theory)
Day26
Mary Mary
Favorite Album
Beyonce / I Am. . .Sasha Fierce
Black Eyed Peas / The E.N.D.
Michael Jackson / Number Ones (can't argue with proven hits)
SOUNDTRACKS
Favorite Album
Hannah Montana: The Movie
Hannah Montana 3
Twilight Soundtrack (come on, everybody's gotta get their chance to plug New Moon during their show)
ALTERNATIVE ROCK MUSIC
Favorite Artist
Green Day (they've always been a favorite at the AMAs)
Kings of Leon
Shinedown
ADULT CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
Favorite Artist
Daughtry (the category IS Adult, so Taylor isn't technically qualified)
Jason Mraz
Taylor Swift
LATIN MUSIC
Favorite Artist
Aventura
Luis Fonsi (having recorded with Christina Aguilera and Emma Baby Spice Bunton, he's the most known of the three contenders)
Wisin Y Yandel
CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
Favorite Artist
Jeremy Camp
Brandon Heath
Mary Mary (another favorite of the AMAs, they won this award back in 2005)
This past week, ABC's Robin Roberts interviewed Janet Jackson during the reporter's second Spotlight special. Janet spoke candidly about, among other things, her brother Michael's death. During the interview, Robin offered viewers a sneak preview of Janet's new video for her latest single, Make Me. On Friday's 20/20, the full video was shown. Check it out below before Janet performs it tonight on the AMAs.
Think I've totally missed the boat on my predictions? Sound off below to let me know who you think will win, and why.
Comments
Meh
Adam is a Rock God!!!!!!!!!!
Can't wait to watch Adam perform. Janet will be great too. Adam has just started a new Glam Revolution with FYE album and it is Fantastic!!! Can't wait to see the sexy performance on the AMAs
Thanks for the comments....please keep in mind that comments containing inappropriate language will be deleted.
Sandra,
Thanks for the correction on the title of Janet's latest CD. Not that it is an excuse, but I have been seriously ill for more than a week and can only sit for about ten minutes at a time. In my rush to get the article posted, I inadvertently listed Janet's album by the wrong title, getting it confused with Britney's latest. Again, thanks for keeping me on my toes!
JP
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