Tuning In

AMAs on ABC

It may not be music’s biggest night, but with performances from the Dixie Chicks, the Pussycat Dolls and Nelly Furtado, the American Music Awards ceremony is no slouch.

Comedian Jimmy Kimmel will host the 33rd annual event, airing at 8 tonight on ABC. Twenty awards are up for grabs in just about every genre of popular music, notes Scripps Howard News Service: pop, country, soul, rhythm and blues, rap/hip-hop, Latin, alternative, adult contemporary and contemporary inspirational music.

Mariah Carey, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Black Eyed Peas and Nickelback lead the nominations with three nods each.

Songstress Carey, a nine-time American Music Award winner, was nominated for favorite female artist in both the Pop/Rock and Soul/Rhythm & Blues categories as well as favorite album in the Soul/rhythm & blues category for “The Emancipation of Mimi.”

The Red Hot Chili Peppers received pop/rock nominations for favorite band, duo or group and favorite album for “Stadium Arcadium.” The rockers also are vying for favorite artist in the alternative music category.

The genre-crossing Black Eyed Peas will compete for favorite band, duo or group and favorite album for “Monkey Business” in the rap/hip hop category along with a nomination in the soul/rhythm & blues category for favorite band, duo or group.

Nickelback’s CD “All the Right Reasons” scored the Canadian rockers three American Music Award nominations. The group is up for favorite album and favorite band, duo or group in the pop/rock category. It will square off against the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam for favorite artist in the alternative music category.

Garnering two nominations each are Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Jamie Foxx, Pussycat Dolls, Rascal Flatts, T.I., Kanye West and “American Idol” winners Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.

Favorite-breakthrough-artist nominees include Chamillionaire, Pussycat Dolls and Miss Underwood.

Compiled by Kelly Jane

Torrance from wire reports.