Newsmakers

Michael Jackson is to appear at the American Music Awards to accept his Artist of the Century Award.

He pulled out of the ceremony last month, angering producer Dick Clark enough to file a $10 million lawsuit against the organisers of the Grammys.

Clark is claiming that Grammy bosses blacklist performers who are to perform on the rival awards show.

He is still going ahead with his lawsuit despite the fact Jackson will now appear at the AMAs.

Clark's lawyer Greg Aldisert told Sonicnet.com: "This development doesn't affect the lawsuit because it doesn't address The Grammys' policy of interference, and Jackson is still not performing on the AMAs."

The 29th annual American Music Awards ceremony will take place on January 9 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Nominees for the 44th annual Grammy Awards will be announced today at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

The awards will be handed out on February 27 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.