Country artist Jason Aldean and five-time GRAMMY® Award winner Lady Gaga are the first performers announced for THE GRAMMY® NOMINATIONS CONCERT LIVE! — COUNTDOWN TO MUSIC’S BIGGEST NIGHT.® Two-time GRAMMY® Award winner LL COOL J will again host. The special will broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Nov. 30 (9:00-10:00 PM, live CT/ 10:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. LL COOL J, who currently stars on “NCIS: LOS ANGELES,” has hosted the past three years.

The show will announce nominations in several categories as well as feature performances by past GRAMMY® winners and/or nominees. This marks the fourth consecutive year that nominations for the annual GRAMMY® Awards will be announced live on primetime television, setting the stage for the annual GRAMMY® Awards telecast.

The road to Music’s Biggest Night begins with THE GRAMMY® NOMINATIONS CONCERT LIVE! and culminates with THE 54th ANNUAL GRAMMY® AWARDS at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles live on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012 (8:00 live ET/7:00 live CT/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Tickets for THE GRAMMY® NOMINATIONS CONCERT LIVE! — COUNTDOWN TO MUSIC’S BIGGEST NIGHT® go on sale on Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, and are available online at http://www.nokiatheatrelalive.com and via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at 800.745.3000. For discounts on groups of 10 or more and for more information on VIP packages, visit http://www.aegtickets.com or call 877-234-8425.

VIDEO OF THE YEAR:

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The most explosive moment of the night belonged to hip-hop heavyweights Kanye West and Jay-Z . The duo brought funk, flare and the fireworks to the VMA stage with the worldwide television debut performance of “Otis” from their global number one album, Watch The Throne. The kings of hip-hop playfully commandeered the VMA stage with their usual royal swagger through a steady bombastic beat of flames, smoke and pyrotechnics until the patriotic climax as they proudly stood in front of the red, white and blue of a gigantic American flag in a nod to the single’s cover.

Another high-octane performance came courtesy of Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo and Nayer, who transformed the VMAs into a giant dance party with this summer’s mega hit “Give Me Everything.” The hip-hop trio brought Miami heat to the stage with 60 dancers and a laser light spectacle that brought down the house.
The show took a soulful turn with an unforgettable VMA debut from a hauntingly beautiful Adele who performed the heart-breaking “Someone Like You” with only a piano by her side and the glow of a single spotlight. Introduced by Katy Perry, Adele left the audience breathless as she treated them to one of the most powerful voices of a generation and they responded with a standing ovation.

Chris Brown delivered a show stopper with his high-flying aerial journey through VMA history. It was a visual feast as he few from stage to stage while performing his smash dance hit “Yeah 3X” into Wu-tang Clan’s “Protect Ya Neck” into Nirvana with “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and, finally, “Beautiful People.”

An ogling Joe Calderone returned to the stage to present Britney Spears with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. The two together then introduced Beyoncé, who, before starting to sing “Love on Top,” confirmed pregnancy rumors by saying “I want you to feel the love that’s growing inside of me.” She ended the song by rubbing her belly to reveal her baby bump as a proud and expectant father Jay-Z received congratulations from the audience.

In the midst of performances from global superstar artists, the VMAs continued its legacy of introducing emerging talent. This year, the Awards show featured an explosive VMA debut from Young The Giant, who rocked and body surfed the audience with their hit “My Body,” alongside a throng of screaming fans.
The emotional highpoint and poignant moment of the evening was the tribute to the late British songstress Amy Winehouse by the legendary Tony Bennett with a surprise introduction by actor Russell Brand. Bennett unveiled footage of Winehouse’s final performance — his recent recording session with her of their duet “Body and Soul” for his upcoming Duets II album. The tribute continued with Bruno Mars’s triumphant performance of Winehouse’s hit “Valerie.” With his soaring vocals, horn section harmonies, and smooth and syncopated choreography, Mars and his band’s performance was a joyous celebration of Winehouse’s life and music.

The girls from the “Jersey Shore” presented the “Best Female Video Award” to Lady Gaga and, in an intergenerational twist, was joined by Academy Award®-winning actress Cloris Leachman, who joked that the audience shouldn’t confuse her with Betty White.

Throughout the telecast British pop diva Jesse J commanded the House Artist stage as the VMA House Artist, keeping the crowd moving as she belted out her signature hits as well as a selection of other chart toppers.

Closing out the show, hip hop’s hottest MC and entrepreneurial Young Money Millionaire, Lil Wayne, closed with the seductive “How to Love,” before attacking the stage in full force as the band launched into a Black Sabbath riff and before ripping into “John” from his upcoming album, “The Carter IV,” to be released digitally at midnight tonight.

Presenters at the“2011 MTV Video Music Awards” included Katy Perry, Miley Cirus, Paul Rudd, Shaun White, Will Ferrell, Jack Black, Zoe Saldana, Kevin Hart and Victoria Justice join Jonah Hill, Rick Ross, Seth Rogen, Selena Gomez, Kim Kardashian, Odd Future, Nicki Minaj, Taylor Lautner, Drake, Joe Jonas and Jared Leto.

Watch the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards On Demand…click here.

MTV announced today the triumphant return of Beyoncé to the VMA stage at the “2011 MTV Video Music Awards” for what promises to be the latest addition to her extraordinary list of unforgettable VMA performances. Nominated for three Moonmen this year including “Best Female Video,” “Best Choreography” and “Best Cinematography,” Beyoncé will add to her remarkable music legacy with a performance for the ages.

Beyoncé joins previously announced 2011 VMA performers Lady Gaga, Adele, Bruno Mars, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Pitbull, Ne-Yo and Young The Giant.

Additionally, Will Ferrell, Jack Black, Zoe Saldana, Kevin Hart and Victoria Justice join Jonah Hill, Rick Ross, Seth Rogen, Selena Gomez, Kim Kardashian, Odd Future, Nicki Minaj, Taylor Lautner, Drake, Joe Jonas, Jared Leto, and JB Smoove from HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” as confirmed presenters. Jessie J was also announced as VMA house artist. The “2011 MTV Video Music Awards” will air live from Nokia Theater L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 9PM (Live ET/Tape delayed PT).

“Beyoncé has delivered some of the most legendary and memorable performances in VMA history, we are so excited she’ll be returning to the VMA stage this year.” said Amy Doyle, Executive Producer of the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards and EVP, Music & Talent, MTV. “Everyone will be talking about how she set the VMA stage on fire-yet again!”

CHECK OUT THE NOMINEES for The 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.

VIDEO: Get to know MTV Video Music Award nominee and performer Bruno Mars…click here.

Legendary Tony Bennett to pay special tribute to the late Amy Winehouse at 2011 MTV Video Music Awards…click here.

Lady Gaga to open 2011 MTV Video Music Awards…click here.

To celebrate the life and music of Amy Winehouse, the “2011 MTV Video Music Awards” will pay special tribute to the late British songstress with music legend, Tony Bennett. Winehouse and her hero, Bennett, recently recorded the duet, “Body and Soul,” for his upcoming Duets II album, out September 20th. Marking his first appearance on the VMA stage since 1993, Mr. Bennett, who won one Album of the Year, at the 1995 Grammy Awards for the CD “MTV Unplugged: Tony Bennett,” will introduce the tribute, which includes unveiling footage from their recording session together. “Body and Soul” was Winehouse’s final session and took place this past March at Abbey Road Studios in London. The single and video will be released by Columbia Records September 14th, Amy’s Birthday, in support of the Amy Winehouse Foundation established by the late singer’s family to help a number of charities connected with children and young people.

“It was a thrill to record with Amy Winehouse and when you listen to the recording of “Body and Soul,” it is a testament to her artistic genius and her brilliance as one of the most honest musicians I have ever known,” said Mr. Bennett.

Winehouse, known for the depth and power of her soulful voice will be remembered by fans and peers for her awe inspiring talent and classic hits such as “Rehab,” “Back to Black,” “Me & Mr. Jones,” and “You Know I’m No Good.”

Amy’s father, Mitch Winehouse said, “Our family is honored that the VMA’s are giving Amy this wonderful tribute. We know that Amy’s performance of Rehab at the MTV Movie Awards played an important part in Amy’s worldwide success.”

2011 VMA performers include Lady Gaga, Adele, Bruno Mars, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Pitbull and Young The Giant. Jonah Hill, Rick Ross, Seth Rogen, Selena Gomez, Kim Kardashian, Odd Future, Nicki Minaj, Taylor Lautner, Drake, Joe Jonas, Jared Leto, and JB Smoove from HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm are confirmed to present. Additionally, Jessie J was just announced as VMA house artist. The “2011 MTV Video Music Awards” will air live from Nokia Theater L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 9PM (Live ET/Tape delayed PT).

CHECK OUT THE NOMINEES for The 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.

VIDEO: Get to know MTV Video Music Award nominee and performer Bruno Mars…click here.

Lady Gaga announced Friday that she is set to open the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards during “MTV First: Lady Gaga” to thousands of fans in Times Square as her Little Monsters revealed the news via a banner right in the center of New York City. She also introduced her new music video “Yoü and I” for its television premiere and responded to questions from fans on TV and online at mtv.com.

“I have a really big announcement,” the New York native told MTV’s Sway, the same night her “Yoü and I” video made its television debut. “But I thought as usual, instead of me announcing it, I’d let the Little Monsters do it for me.”

“It means the world to me,” Gaga said of opening the 2011 VMAs. “I just feel really blessed every day. I have the most amazing fans.”

Lady Gaga joins previously announced 2011 VMA performers including Adele, Bruno Mars, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown and Young The Giant. The “2011 MTV Video Music Awards” will air live from Nokia Theater L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 8pm CT | LIVE!

“You and I” is the fourth single to be released from Lady Gaga’s third studio album, Born This Way. In addition to performing, Lady Gaga is nominated for four Moonmen at the “2011 MTV Video Music Awards,” including Best Female Video (“Born This Way”), Best Art Direction (“Judas”), Best Choreography (“Judas”) and Best Video with a Message (“Born This Way”).

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VIDEO: Get to know MTV Video Music Award nominee and performer Bruno Mars…click here.

VIDEO: 2011 MTV Video Music Awards Nominee Breakdown…click here.

The latest list of the Billboard Top 10 singles was released this week and there isn’t a song I DON”T like on this week’s list:

Here are this week’s Top 10 Singles:
10. “Down on Me,” Jeremih featuring 50 Cent,
9. “Grenade,” Bruno Mars.
8. “Look At Me Now,” Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes,
7. “F**kin’ Perfect,” P!nk,
6. “Loser Like Me,” Glee Cast,
. “Just Can’t Get Enough,” The Black Eyed Peas,
4. “F**k You (Forget You),” CeeLo Green,
3. “S&M,” Rihanna,
2. “E.T.,” Katy Perry featuring Kanye West,
1. “Born This Way,” Lady Gaga.

Lady Gaga believes the public ultimately wants to see her fail, to lose all she’s gained, she tells Anderson Cooper in a 60 MINUTES interview that’s as packed with surprises as the pop star’s outrageous wardrobe. The profile was videotaped in London, Milan and New York while the singer was on tour and will be broadcast Sunday, Feb. 13 (6pm, CT) on the CBS Television Network.

Her fans are waiting to see what Gaga will do when she performs at the Grammy Awards Sunday (13) evening, where she’s been nominated for six of the awards. What she did before at the MTV Music Awards – pretending to die a bloody death after singing her hit song, “Paparazzi” – got Cooper’s attention and curiosity. So he asked her about it.

“That’s what everyone wants to know, right?” asks Gaga. “What is she going to look like when she dies…when she’s overdosed on whatever they think I’m overdosing on? Everybody wants to see the decay of the superstar,” she explains, surprising Cooper, who presses her.

“Of course they do,” she says. “They want to see me fail. They want to see me fall on stage. They want to see me vomiting out of a night club…Isn’t that the age we live in? That we want to see people who have it all lose it all?” she asks.

When Cooper suggests that such a scenario might be the set-up for a comeback, the diva replies, “Right. It’s a movie…and yet, I am just not like that on my own time. I’m not a vomit in the club kind of girl.”

What Gaga is really is a walking, singing work of art of many types, fashion, music and, perhaps biggest of all, fame, she says. “One of my greatest artworks is the art of fame. I am a master of the art of fame,” the diva says.

Here is a SNEAK PEEK  of the interview from CBS…click here.

I couldn’t believe that Cher busted out her legendary 80’s no pants, leather jacket and big hair look at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards!

And you know what, I loved it!  I suppose when you have that much money to get plastic surgery you can still look great in those clothes when you’re 125 years old.

Go Cher – you’re hot!

What do you think? I dig it.