Five nominees to perform together at Grammy ceremony
The 47th Annual Grammy Awards will begin with a live performance from The Black Eyed Peas , Gwen Stefani , Los Lonely Boys , Maroon 5 and Franz Ferdinand, all of whom are vying for trophies this year.
The multi-artist performance will take place across three stages, and will mark the first time in the history of the awards that five nominated artists have performed together to open the show, according to organizers.
Meanwhile, R&B singer Usher has signed on for a solo performance during the event, joining a roster that already includes U2, Green Day, Tim McGraw, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony.
In addition to the new batch of performers, organizers have announced that Kris Kristofferson, Matthew McConaughey, Lisa Marie Presley and Charlie Sheen will be among the evening's presenters.
Previously announced presenters include Tyra Banks, Ellen DeGeneres, Hoobastank, Norah Jones, Alison Krauss, Ludacris, Mark McGrath, Christina Milian, Gary Sinise, John Travolta and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler.
Also on tap for the ceremony are previously announced collaborative performances from Kanye West featuring John Legend, Mavis Staples and the Blind Boys of Alabama; a tribute to Ray Charles featuring Bonnie Raitt and Billy Preston; a salute to Southern rock with Tim McGraw, Gretchen Wilson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Dickey Betts, Elvin Bishop and Keith Urban; and a musical fundraising segment to aid tsunami relief efforts that will feature Bono, Stevie Wonder, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, Slash, Velvet Revolver, Tim McGraw and Brian Wilson.
The fundraising segment will feature a performance of John Lennon and Paul McCartney's "Across the Universe." Viewers will be able to purchase an audio track of the performance from Apple's iTunes Music store for .99˘, and CBS.com will offer exclusive video footage of the segment.
The 47th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony takes place Feb. 13 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, and will air on CBS. Rapper/actress Queen Latifah will host the event, and is also expected to perform.
A pre-telecast ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center prior to the televised event, during which awards for many of the Grammy's 107 categories will be handed out. Ananda Lewis and Steve Vai are slated to host.
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