Female acts dominate the list of nominees for the American Music Awards, which will be passed out during a three-hour Jan. 17 telecast on ABC. Leading the pack with three nominations each were Britney Spears [ tickets ], Shania Twain [ tickets ] and Whitney Houston.

But leading the pack in nominations doesn't necessarily mean that an artist will go home with multiple awards. Last year, Twain's five nominations yielded only one award, and a year earlier, Puff Daddy's five nominations yielded no awards.

Two nominations each were picked up by Backstreet Boys, Garth Brooks, The Dixie Chicks, Kid Rock, Santana, George Strait, Lauryn Hill, Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin and TLC.

Nominees are based on record sales and radio airplay, and the winners will be chosen by a poll of 20,000 American music buyers.

The awards ceremony will be hosted by comedian Norm McDonald, and will take place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Among those slated to perform during the telecast are Jennifer Lopez, 'N Sync and Brooks & Dunn.