AWARDS

Timberlake, Beyonce, Linkin Park and Daughtry nab AMA noms

New online voting will allow public to pick American Music Awards winners.

By Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

October 9, 2007

Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Linkin Park and Daughty led the American Music Awards (AMA) nominations, each scoring three apiece. Timberlake, Linkin Park and Daughtry will all vie for favorite album in the pop/rock category of the fan-voted awards, which will be broadcast live on ABC on Nov. 18 and the new Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.

Nominations were announced this morning (Oct. 9) at the Beverly Hills Hotel. AMA host Jimmy Kimmel, who is returning to host the awards for a fourth time, was on hand at today's press conference, as was R&B singer Ashanti and pop act the Jonas Brothers.

Voting for the awards begins today and lasts through Nov. 1 on ABC's American Music Awards Web site. In addition to the his favorite album in the pop field nod, Timberlake is recognized in the favorite male artist category, as well as favorite album, soul/R&B.

Beyonce will compete with Fergie and Avril Lavigne in the favorite female artist pop/rock group, as well as with Rihanna and Fantasia in the favorite female artist, soul/R&B. "American Idol" loser Daughtry is recognized as a breakthrough artist, as is rock act Plain White T's and R&B singer Robin Thicke.

The AMAs, now in its 35th year, will utilize Internet voting for the first time in its history. In the past, winners were selected by a random sampling of a few thousand music fans.