Multiple nominees top Music Awards show

A slew of top-selling artists headed into Sunday's 2007 American Music Awards with multiple chances to win.

Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Linkin Park and Daughtry each had three nominations, while Akon, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Young Jeezy, T.I. and Carrie Underwood had two nods each.

They were the center of a full roster of celebrity performers, including Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Queen Latifah, Chris Brown, Celine Dion, Duran Duran, Sugarland, Maroon 5, Lenny Kravitz and Rihanna.

The list of presenters was just as stellar, with Christina Applegate, James Blunt, Blair Underwood, Tony Hawk, Snoop Dogg, Slash, Gene Simmons and Usher among those set to hand out trophies in 20 categories.

After two weeks of writer-strike-imposed reruns of his late-night talk show, Jimmy Kimmel was to return to live TV as host of the three-hour ceremony, which was to be broadcast live on ABC from the new Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. The show's basic script was written before the strike began last week, but there were no writers to provide Kimmel with his trademark quips about current events.

Screaming fans cheered arriving stars, including Fergie, Blunt and Underwood, before the show.

A dozen video screens on towers played songs by nominees, amplifying the energy outside the new venue, which has about 7,000 seats and is part of the new L.A. Live development.

"I saw it at rehearsal," presenter Josh Groban said of the theater. "It's amazing. It's a nice alternative to an arena."

Now in its 35th year, the American Music Awards honor pop-rock, country, soul-rhythm & blues, rap-hip hop, Latin, alternative, soundtracks, adult contemporary and contemporary inspirational music. Nominees were selected based on national sales and radio play.

For the first time in show history, winners were chosen by public votes cast online.