Kelly Clarkson to Make GRAMMY Awards Performance Debut

Press release
Source: Rogers and Cowan

The Recording Academy® announced today Kelly Clarkson will perform for the first time on the GRAMMY® telecast, and R&B newcomer Ciara to join the lineup for the previously announced tribute to Sly And The Family Stone; both are up for multiple GRAMMY Awards. Newly announced presenters include GRAMMY nominee Destiny's Child, R&B newcomer Chris Brown, Golden Globe®-winning actress Teri Hatcher ("Desperate Housewives"), Golden

Globe®-winning actress Jenna Elfman ("Courting Alex"), and the 2006 MusiCares Person of the YearSM James Taylor. Hosting the GRAMMY Pre-Telecast ceremony are revered rock guitarist Steve Vai and TV personality Giselle Fernandez; presenters for the Pre-Telecast include nominees Jars Of Clay, Shirley Caesar, Nnenna Freelon, Delbert McClinton; and K-Mozart radio personality and conductor/composer John Santana.

These outstanding artists join previously announced performers Mariah Carey, John Legend and Kanye West-all with eight nominations each; Madonna with Gorillaz; Paul McCartney; Bruce Springsteen; U2 and Mary J. Blige; Coldplay; Faith Hill and Keith Urban; Christina Aguilera and Herbie Hancock; Sugarland; Jamie Foxx with Kanye West; an all-star tribute to Sly And The Family Stone featuring Maroon 5, will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas, Robert Randolph, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Joss Stone, John Legend and Devin Lima; and nominee Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Choir join Mariah Carey. Previously announced presenters include Lance Armstrong, Big & Rich, pop vocalist Michael Buble (who will be featured in a performance during the GRAMMY Pre-Telecast ceremony), Common (who also is an Honorary Board Member of The Academy's What's The Download® Interactive Advisory Board), Matt Dillon, Tom Hanks, actress/singer/songwriter Jennifer Love Hewitt, Terrence Howard, Queen Latifah, LL Cool J, Ludacris, and Bonnie Raitt.

Kelly Clarkson
Clarkson is vying for her first GRAMMY Award this year in the following two categories: Best Female Pop Vocal Performance ("Since U Been Gone") and Best Pop Vocal Album (Breakaway). Clarkson also is an Honorary Board Member of The Academy's What's The Download Interactive Advisory Board.

Ciara
Ciara is nominated for three GRAMMYs including: Best New Artist, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration ("1, 2 Step" featuring Missy Elliott) and Best Short Form Music Video ("Lose Control" with Missy Elliott and Fat Man Scoop).

The GRAMMY Awards-the music industry's premier event-will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). The show also will be supported on radio via Westwood One worldwide, and covered online at www.grammy.yahoo.com.

The 48th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by John Cossette Productions in association with Ken Ehrlich Productions for The Recording Academy. John Cossette and Ken Ehrlich are executive producers, Walter C. Miller is producer/director, Tisha Fein is the coordinating producer, and Tzvi Small is executive in charge of production.

Established in 1957, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc., also known as 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 Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs - including the creation of the national public education campaign What's The Download (www.WhatsTheDownload.com). For more information, please visit www.grammy.com.