Avalon,Jars of Clay,P.O.D. up for American Music Awards

From a Gospel Music Association news e-mail:

"The nominees for the 30th Annual 'American Music Awards' were announced on Tuesday with Avalon, Jars of Clay and P.O.D. receiving the nods for Favorite Artist in the Contemporary Inspirational category. A total of 20 awards will be handed out during a ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Jan. 13, which will air live on ABC.

The 'American Music Awards' added the Contemporary Inspirational category last year in recognition of the increased popularity of the Christian/Gospel Music genre. Yolanda Adams won the first 'American Music Award' in this category and performed live during the awards ceremony.

Nominees are based on sales figure and radio play, with data being supplied by music industry trade publication Radio & Records and SoundScan, Inc. Winners will be determined by a survey of about 20,000 people, who were sent ballots by the National Family Opinion, Inc. firm under the supervision of Broadcast Research and Consulting, Inc."