The Recording Academy set the date for the Grammy nominations as Dec. 7 in a press release today. But the real fun comes with the announcement of who the presenters will be -- Mary J. Blige, James Blunt, Chris Brown, Josh Groban, Evanescence's Amy Lee, Ludacris, Corinne Bailey Rae, Rascal Flatts, Justin Timberlake and KT Tunstall -- since those folks will likely be the big nominees of the day.
Look for Brown, Blunt, Rae and Tunstall to all score nominations for Best New Artist. Blige will do well in the R&B categories with her album "The Breakthrough." Rascal Flatts seem set as big nominees in country for their hit album "What Hurts the Most," while Ludacris' impressive "Release Therapy" should hold down the big hip-hop categories. Lee will get some rock nominations. Timberlake will dominate the pop categories for bringing sexy back.
The big surprises? Watch for Rae to become this year's Norah Jones and rack up pop nominations and a place in one or more of the big categories -- song/record of the year for "Put Your Records On"? -- to make her one of the year's leaders. Blunt is another good possibility with possible song and record of the year honors for "You're Beautiful." My money, though, is on big showings for Bob Dylan's "Modern Times" and Tony Bennett's "Duets" albums. And don't count out Johnny Cash and Dixie Chicks in what will be quite the competitive album of the year catefory.
PHOTO: Oh sure, he's beautiful and all... but will James Blunt be the year's Grammy leader?