Nominations for the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards were announced today
by The Recording Academy reflecting one of the most diverse years ever,
with the Album Of The Year category alone representing the country,
hip-hop, jazz, pop and rock genres.

Kanye West topped the nominations with eight, Amy Winehouse garnered
six, and the Foo Fighters, Jay-Z, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, and
T-Pain each earned five nods.

Akon, Dierks Bentley, Chris Daughtry, Feist, Tim McGraw, John
Newton, Ne-Yo, Rihanna, and Bruce Springsteen received four each.

The press event was held at The Music Box @ Fonda in Hollywood and
was attended by national and international media, as well as key music
industry executives. Artists who helped announce the nominations
included Akon, Fergie, Vince Gill, Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), Herbie
Hancock, Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Recording Academy Chair Jimmy
Jam, George Lopez, Mike Shinoda (Linkin Park) and Taylor Swift.

“This year’s nominations truly reflect a diverse and talented
community of artists and creators who represent some of the most
exceptional music of the year,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The
Recording Academy. “The GRAMMY Awards process once again has yielded a
comprehensive group of excellent nominees and coupled with the fact
that it’s our milestone 50th year, this year’s telecast promises music
fans a spectacular show filled with stellar performances and unique
‘GRAMMY Moments’ for which Music’s Biggest Night has come to be
renowned.”

GRAMMY ballots for the final round of voting will be mailed on Dec.
12 to the voting members of The Recording Academy. They are due back to
the accounting firm of Deloitte by Jan. 9, 2008, when they will be
tabulated and the results kept secret until the telecast.

The 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on Feb. 10, 2008, at
Staples Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in
high definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8