Vince Gill

The Country Music Awards organizers are planning a strong lineup of performers for its May 10 broadcast, including Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Vince Gill and Alabama.The live 30th anniversary special will also see performances by John Anderson, Brooks & Dunn, Barbara Mandrell and hosts Clint Black, Tanya Tucker and Jeff Foxworthy. Other folkscrooning tunes during the three-hour event will be Joe Diffie, Faith Hill, Little Texas, Patty Loveless, Kathy Mattea and Doug Stone.Performing on location at Universal Studios Hollywood and Florida will be such newcomers as Tim McGraw, the Tractors, Lisa Brokop and John Berry.

Vince Gill was cookin' at the 12th annual benefit concert for Cystic Fibrosis. But he wasn't the only one doing so at the Baltimore Arena. Some 30 local chefs cooked up their kind of crowd-pleasers at a preconcert VIP reception.More than 1,000 guests mingled and munched in a tent pitched outside the building, whetting their appetites for the tuneful treats that awaited them inside.Among those tasting and talking: Josie Schaeffer, executive director of Cystic Fibrosis Maryland Chapter; Kenn Roberts, concert committee chair; Larry Kushner, executive director of the concert's underwriter, the M.U.S.

Just announced Lil' Wayne Verizon Center in Washington on Dec. 30. 410-547-7328 or ticketmaster.com. Gogol Bordello The 9:30 Club in Washington, Jan. 2-3. 800-955-5566 or tickets.com. Amy Grant and Vince Gill Lyric Opera House on Dec. 10. 410-547-7328 or ticketmaster.com. Oasis Patriot Center, George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., on Dec. 20. 410-547-7328 or ticketmaster.com. Still available Iris Dement The Birchmere in Alexandria, Va., on Dec. 7. 703-549-7500 or birchmere.com.

Nominees for the American Music Awards, to be awarded tonight are:* Pop/RockFavorite Male Artist: Bryan AdamsMichael BoltonMeat LoafFavorite Female Artist:Mariah CareyJanet JacksonBonnie RaittFavorite Band, Duo or Group: Ace of BasePink FloydStone Temple PilotsFavorite Single: "I'll Make Love to You" (Boyz II Men)The Power of Love" (Celine Dion)"The Sign" (Ace of Base)Favorite Album:"August and Everything After" (Counting Crows)The Lion King" (Soundtrack)"Music Box" (Mariah Carey)Favorite New Artist: Ace of BaseAll-4-OneCounting Crows* Soul/Rhythm & BluesFavorite Male Artist: BabyfaceTevin CampbellThe Artist Formerly Known as PrinceFavorite Female Artist: Anita BakerToni BraxtonJanet JacksonFavorite Band, Duo or Group: Boyz II MenJodeciSalt-N-PepaFavorite Single: "I Swear" (All-4-One)

You may have to look quickly, but a Baltimore figure will be among the recipients of a Country Music Association Award during tonight's live broadcast of the 26th annual awards telecast from Nashville."

Pop quiz: What was the first music awards program ever televised?If you answered "The Grammys," head to the corner and put on your dunce's cap. Because the first Grammy night ever televised was in 1970 -- two years after the Country Music Awards made its network debut."

An update on the concert scene: newly announced shows and ticket availability. For ticket information and purchase, call Ticketmaster at 410-481-SEAT or visit www.ticketmaster.com unless otherwise noted. Just announced B2K, ATL, O'Ryan and Da Razkalz Cru will perform at Constitution Hall in Washington Dec. 30. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. today. Sting performs at the Warner Theatre in Washington March 11. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. The "You and I Reunion Tour," starring Teena Marie and Rick James, makes a stop at 1st Mariner Arena Dec. 7. Patti Austin plays the Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis March 20. Call 410-268-4545.

Here is an overview of J.D. Considine's Grammy predictions:* Record of the year: Joan Osborne, "One of Us"* Album of the year: Joan Osborne, "Relish"* Song of the year: Eric Bazilian, "One of Us"* Best new artist: Joan Osborne* Best female pop vocal performance: Joan Osborne, "One of Us"* Best male pop vocal performance: Michael Jackson, "You Are Not Alone"* Best pop performance by a duo or group with vocal: The Eagles, "Love Will Keep Us Alive"* Best female...