Billboard Music Finalists Announced
Rockers Nickelback, country stars Rascal Flatts, rapper T.I., and R&B singer Mary J. Blige top the list of finalists for the 2006 Billboard Music Awards, vying for the top prize in five categories each.
The awards, which are based solely on actual performance on the Billboard weekly charts, will be handed out on Dec. 4 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The ceremony will air at 8 p.m. on Fox and will feature performances by Janet Jackson, Fergie, The Killers, Gwen Stefani, The Fray, Mary J. Blige, Ludacris, Pharrell and Young Jeezy.
Although Britney Spears and Paris Hilton were rumored to be hosting the show, a publicist for the network told TheShowbuzz that nobody has been confirmed to host.
Tony Bennett will receive the Century Award for his contribution to recorded music over several decades.
The artist of the year category includes Chris Brown, Nickelback, and Rascal Flatts
Brown, who is 17 years old, is a finalist in three categories as is Sean Paul.
R&B/Hip-Hop dominates the top male artist category with Brown, Ne-Yo and Sean Paul competing, as well as the top female category with Beyonce, Mary J. Blige and Rihanna going head to head for the award.
Nickelback, The Pussycat Dolls and Rascal Flatts are up for duo/group of the year.
Other finalists in multiple categories include Carrie Underwood, Ne-Yo, Jamie Foxx, Kenny Chesney, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Each is competing in four categories.
Nelly Furtado (featuring Timbaland), the cast of "High School Musical, Young Joc, Dem Francize Boyz, Shinedown, and Three Days Grace and Beyonce all have two nods.Photos: American Music Awards
2006 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS FINALISTS
Chris Brown
Nickelback
Rascal Flatts
Chris Brown
Ne-Yo
Sean Paul
Beyoncé
Mary J. Blige
Rihanna
Nickelback
The Pussycat Dolls
Rascal Flatts
Chris Brown
The Fray
Ne-Yo
"All the Right Reasons" — Nickelback
"High School Musical" — Soundtrack
"Some Hearts" — Carrie Underwood
"Bad Day" — Daniel Powter
"Promiscuous" — Nelly Furtado featuring Timbaland
"Temperature" — Sean Paul
"Hips Don't Lie" — Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean
"Promiscuous" — Nelly Furtado featuring Timbaland
"Temperature" — Sean Paul
"Get Rich or Die Tryin'"
"High School Musical"
"Walk the Line"
Mary J. Blige
Jamie Foxx
T.I.
Jamie Foxx
Ne-Yo
T.I.
Beyoncé
Mary J. Blige
Mariah Carey
Dem Franchize Boyz
The Isley Brothers
Three 6 Mafia
"The Breakthrough" — Mary J. Blige
"King" — T.I.
"Unpredictable" — Jamie Foxx
"Be Without You" — Mary J. Blige
"So Sick" — Ne-Yo
"Unpredictable" — Jamie Foxx featuring Ludacris
Sean Paul
T.I.
Yung Joc
"Tha Carter, Vol. 2" — Lil Wayne
"Curtain Call The Hits" — Eminem
"King" — T.I.
"It's Goin' Down" — Yung Joc
"Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It" — Dem Franchize Boyz featuring Lil Peanut & Charlay
"Snap Yo Fingers" — Lil Jon featuring E-40 & Sean Paul of the YoungBloodz
Kenny Chesney
Rascal Flatts
Carrie Underwood
Kenny Chesney
Toby Keith
Tim McGraw
Faith Hill
Carrie Underwood
Gretchen Wilson
Brooks & Dunn
Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
"Me and My Gang" — Rascal Flatts
"Some Hearts" — Carrie Underwood
"The Road and the Radio" — Kenny Chesney
"If You're Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)" — Rodney Atkins
"Summertime" — Kenny Chesney
"The World" — Brad Paisley
AFI
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Shinedown
"Animal I Have Become" — Three Days Grace
"Dani California" — Red Hot Chili Peppers
"The Kill (Bury Me)" — 30 Seconds to Mars
Disturbed
Nickelback
Shinedown
"Animal I Have Become" — Three Days Grace
"Dani California" — Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Speak" — Godsmack
"All the Right Reasons" — Nickelback
"Back to Bedlam" — James Blunt
"Stadium Arcadium" — Red Hot Chili Peppers