Entertainment

6 bands fighting for a chance to play Billboard Music Awards

May 18, 2011 / 10:43 AM EDT / CBS/AP

Singer Rihanna, seen at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala on May 2, 2011, in New York, leads the Billboard Awards nominations. Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

(CBS/AP) Bands are scheduled to compete for a spot playings in the 2011 Billboard Music Awards Sunday in Downtown Las Vegas.

The frontman of Sugar Ray Mark McGrath is scheduled to host the battle on Wednesday night on Freemont Street Experience.

Pictures: Billboard Music Awards 2006

The bands come from around the country and have documented a road trip to Las Vegas for the show titled "Cruze-ing to Vegas: Battle of the Bands."

The show is sponsored by the Billboard Awards and Chevrolet, which is the creator of the Cruze car.

Ke$ha, Far East Movement, Ne-Yo and several other stars are set to perform on the Billboard Awards stage. Rihanna leads with 18 nominations with Lady Gaga and Eminem trailing behind her.

The award show, which was revived earlier this year, is scheduled for Sunday, May 22, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.