Now, that we've all had the chance to regroup from the SHEER HYSTERIA of Columbus Day Weekend, we can get back to the REAL business at hand:
--The nominees for the "40th Annual American Music Awards" were announced yesterday . . . and RIHANNA and NICKI MINAJ lead everyone with four nominations.
--Drake, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, One Direction and Usherhave three apiece.
--AMA nominees are determined using a formula that weighs artists' music sales, prevalence on radio and TV, Internet streams and videos . . . plus, "additional online metrics," which include "social-media activity."
--ABC will air the ceremony live on Sunday, November 18th. So far, CHRISTINA AGUILERA is the only performer that has been announced.
--This is the first ceremony since DICK CLARK'S death. He created the "AMAs" . . . so naturally the show has a big tribute planned.
--As usual, YOU will choose the winners. Voting is open NOW at AMAvote.com. Before casting your vote, you'll have to sign in through Facebook . . . or provide an email address to register.
--Here are your nominees . . .
Artist of the Year:
--Justin Bieber
--Drake
--Maroon 5
--Katy Perry
--Rihanna
Favorite Male Artist - Pop / Rock:
--Justin Bieber
--Flo Rida
--Pitbull
--Usher
Favorite Female Artist - Pop / Rock:
--Kelly Clarkson
--Nicki Minaj
--Katy Perry
--Rihanna
Favorite Band, Duo or Group - Pop / Rock:
--Fun
--Maroon 5
--One Direction
--The Wanted
Favorite Pop / Rock Album:
--"Believe", Justin Bieber
--"Overexposed", Maroon 5
--"Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded", Nicki Minaj
--"Up All Night", One Direction
Favorite Artist - Rap / Hip-Hop:
--Drake
--Nicki Minaj
--Tyga
Favorite Rap / Hip-Hop Album:
--"Cole World: The Sideline Story", J. Cole
--"Take Care", Drake
--"Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded", Nicki Minaj
Favorite Male Artist - Soul / R&B:
--Chris Brown
--Trey Songz
--Usher
Favorite Female Artist - Soul / R&B:
--Beyoncé
--Mary J. Blige
--Rihanna
Favorite Soul / R&B Album:
--"Fortune", Chris Brown
--"Talk That Talk", Rihanna
--"Looking 4 Myself", Usher
Favorite Male Artist - Country:
--Jason Aldean
--Luke Bryan
--Eric Church
Favorite Female Artist - Country:
--Miranda Lambert
--Taylor Swift
--Carrie Underwood
Favorite Band, Duo or Group - Country:
--Zac Brown Band
--Lady Antebellum
--Rascal Flatts
Favorite Album - Country:
--"Tailgates & Tanlines", Luke Bryan
--"Tuskegee", Lionel Richie
--"Blown Away", Carrie Underwood
Favorite Artist - Adult Contemporary:
--Adele
--Kelly Clarkson
--Train
Favorite Artist - Alternative Rock:
--The Black Keys
--Gotye
--Linkin Park
Favorite Artist - Latin Music:
--Don Omar
--Pitbull
--Shakira
Favorite Artist - Contemporary Inspirational Music:
--Jeremy Camp
--Newsboys
--TobyMac
Favorite Artist - Electronic Dance Music:
--David Guetta
--Calvin Harris
--Skrillex
New Artist of the Year:
--J. Cole
--Fun
--Gotye
--Carly Rae Jepsen
--One Direction
