Grammy Nominations Announced

NEW YORK – Grammy voters recognized a wide variety of artists and genres Tuesday, with Norah Jones, Avril Lavigne, Eminem and Bruce Springsteen dominating the major categories, including record, song and album of the year.

Eight artists received five Grammy nominations each.

Springsteen's Sept. 11-themed The Rising was nominated for album of the year, and the title track for song of the year.

Eminem received an album citation for The Eminem Show -- the year's top seller -- and a record citation for "Without Me."

Newcomer Jones was nominated for record of the year for her underground hit "Don't Know Why." Her Come Away With Me was nominated for album of the year, and she received a best new artist nod.

Another best new artist nominee, Lavigne, also came up big: The 18-year-old was nominated for song of the year, best female pop vocal performance and best pop vocal album, among other categories.

"I would have freaked out if I just had one, now that I have five -- I'm just trying to pinch myself," Lavigne said.

R&B singer Ashanti also got five nominations -- including in the new artist category -- as did rocker Sheryl Crow, rapper Nelly and neosoul artist Raphael Saadiq.

Other nominees for album of the year were the Dixie Chicks' Home and Nelly's Nellyville.

Nelly's "Dilemma," featuring Kelly Rowland, was cited for record of the year; he also was nominated in three rap categories.

"Any one they want to give me, I'm more than happy to receive," said Nelly, who's been nominated in the past but never won.

The Dixie Chicks were up for four awards, including country album of the year. Alan Jackson also was nominated in that category, and his Sept. 11 ode "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" was nominated for song of the year.

Other multiple Grammy nominees included India.arie, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash and Vanessa Carlton, whose song "A Thousand Miles" was nominated for record and song of the year.

Nickelback's "How You Remind Me" rounded out the record of the year category, while rounding out the nominees for new artist were singer-songwriters Michelle Branch and John Mayer.

"I feel official as an artist," said Mayer, who was on hand for the Grammy announcements at Madison Square Garden. "It's pretty amazing for one nomination to do that. But I feel kind of realized."

One notable omission was Josh Groban. His eponymous debut album sold 2.7 million copies with little radio airplay; the classically inspired baritone was one of the surprise successes of the year and some thought he would at least get a best new artist nomination.

Springsteen, a seven-time Grammy recipient, was nominated for album of the year in 1985 for Born in the U.S.A., but lost out to Lionel Richie's Can't Slow Down.

The Grammy nominations were announced at Madison Square Garden, where the awards will be held Feb. 23. This year, there are 104 categories, up from 101 last year.