Eminem, Lady Antebellum Lead Grammy Nominees

Lady Antebellum and Eminem (inset)

Wireimage; inset: AP

This year, the Grammy Awards are spreading the wealth.

Fronting a diverse array of nominees, rapper Eminem led the pack with a total 10 nominations, including nods in such major categories as Album of the Year and Record of the Year, it was announced Wednesday night.

Not far behind: Bruno Mars, with seven nominations, including several as a songwriter, while Lady Gaga and country trio Lady Antebellum each earned six nominations, including one for Album of the Year for their stirring single "Need You Now."

Many of the major nominations were announced live on CBS during an hour-long concert special hosted by LL Cool J from L.A.'s Club Nokia, which featured performances by Katy Perry, Justin Bieber and Miranda Lambert.

Album of the Year nominations went to Arcade Fire's The Suburbs, Eminem's Recovery, Lady Antebellum's Need You Now, Lady Gaga's The Fame Monster and Katy Perry's Teenage Dream.

An enthusiastic Perry, who opened the concert special with a performance of her hit "California Gurls," raved: "It's like no other award show, because I feel like you're being recognized by your peers."
 
In the major category of Record of the Year, nominees were: ....
B.o.B. ("Nothin' on You"), Eminem (featuring Rihanna) ("Love the Way You Lie"), Cee-Lo Green ("F–– You"), Jay-Z & Alicia Keys ("Empire State of Mind") and Lady Antebellum ("Need You Now").

Best New Artist nods crossed genres and went to Justin Bieber, Drake, Florence & the Machine, Mumford and Sons and Esperanza Spalding.

"Wow, it feels amazing. I can't believe I'm in this position," an overwhelmed Bieber said, live via satellite from London, after the news was announced. "I don't think of myself as a superstar. I think of myself as a normal person living my dream."

Selena Gomez and Foo Fighters rocker Dave Grohl announced nominees for Song of the Year, which is given to the songwriter. The five nominees were Cee-Lo Green for "F––– You," Ray Lamontagne for "Beg Steal Or Borrow," Lady Antebellum for "Need You Now," Eminem for "Love the Way You Lie" and Miranda Lambert for "The House That Built Me."

Other key nominees include the cast of Glee, which earned two nominations, as did Bieber. Perry and Rihanna walked away with four nods, while Beyoncé earned two.

The 53rd annual Grammy Awards will air live on CBS from Los Angeles's Staples Center on Feb. 13.

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