Valerie Simpson and Mike Stoller to Join Usher in a Moving Tribute to Songwriters on "The Grammy® Nominations Concert Live!! -- Countdown to Music's Biggest Night®"

Valerie Simpson and Mike Stoller to Join Usher in a Moving Tribute to Songwriters on "The Grammy® Nominations Concert Live!! -- Countdown to Music's Biggest Night®"

Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry Set to Present on CBS Entertainment Special Announcing Nominations for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards® Live from the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on Nov. 30

Telecast Will Feature a Special Live Announcement Regarding a Historic Band Reunion Set to Take Place on the GRAMMY Stage in February 2012

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --Valerie Simpson (of the hit songwriting/performing duo Ashford and Simpson) and Mike Stoller (of the GRAMMY®-winning songwriting team Leiber & Stoller) -- both of whom lost their longtime songwriting partners (Nick Ashford and Jerry Leiber) this past year -- will join previously announced seven-time GRAMMY winner Usher in a moving tribute to songwriters on "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! -- Countdown To Music's Biggest Night®" (www.grammy.com). R&B/rap star Nicki Minaj and pop singer/songwriter Katy Perry are the first presenters announced for the one-hour special, which takes place live on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at the Nokia TheatreL.A. LIVE. The show, which will also announce nominations in several categories as well as feature performances by past GRAMMY winners and/or nominees, will be broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network (www.cbs.com) from 10 - 11 p.m. ET/PT. Other previously announced performers are country artist Jason Aldean, five-time GRAMMY winner Lady Gaga, three-time GRAMMY winner Ludacris, GRAMMY winner Lupe Fiasco, four-time GRAMMY winner Rihanna, GRAMMY-winning duo Sugarland, and country music sensation the Band Perry. Two-time GRAMMY winner LL COOL J is once again set to host. Additional performers and presenters will be announced shortly. For updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy®'s social networks on Twitter and Facebook: www.twitter.com/thegrammys, www.facebook.com/thegrammys.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111116/LA07792LOGO)

The concert special marks the fourth time nominations for the annual GRAMMY Awards will be announced live on primetime television. In addition to unveiling nominations for the 54th GRAMMY Awards, "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!" will feature a special live announcement from a truly iconic group regarding their historic band reunion set to take place on the GRAMMY stage on Feb. 12, 2012.

Following the one-hour live telecast, guests will enjoy an exclusive concert by the Band Perry. Tickets for "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! -- Countdown To Music's Biggest Night" are on sale now at 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 www.aegtickets.com or call 877.234.8425. A portion of the proceeds from this very special evening will benefit the GRAMMY Museum®.

The road to Music's Biggest Night begins with "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!!" and culminates with the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards, live from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, and broadcast on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

"The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! -- Countdown To Music's Biggest Night" is produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures, LLC. Ken Ehrlich is the executive producer. LL COOL J is producer.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards -- the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music -- The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy,

please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, join the organization's social networks as a Twitter follower at www.twitter.com/thegrammys, a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/thegrammys, and aYouTube channel subscriber at www.youtube.com/thegrammys.

SOURCE The Recording Academy

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The Recording Academy

CONTACT: Barb Dehgan, barbd@grammy.com, or Lourdes Lopez, lourdesl@grammy.com, both of The Recording Academy, +1-310-392-3777; Tiffany Smith-Anoa'i, +1-818-655-1587, tiffany.smith@cbs.com, or Kate Fisher, +1-212-975-3818, khfisher@cbs.com, both of CBS; Maureen O'Connor, +1-310-854-8116, moconnor@rogersandcowan.com, or Heather Lewandoski, +1-310-854-8147, hlewandoski@rogersandcowan.com, both of Rogers & Cowan for The Recording Academy

Web Site: http://www.grammy.com

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