RYAN SEACREST TO HOST "THE 2004 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS" FROM LAS VEGAS' MGM GRAND WEDNESDAY, DEC. 8, ON FOX

GWEN STEFANI TO PERFORM Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Tara Reid, Big & Rich, Kelly Osbourne, Gretchen Wilson and Macy Gray to Make Special Appearances

Ryan Seacrest will host THE 2004 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS, live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena Wednesday, Dec. 8 (8:00-10:00 PM ET Live/PT Tape-Delayed) on FOX. Ryan Seacrest will reprise his role as host of the 15th annual ceremony, which honors the year's chart-topping musicians. Now solo-artist Gwen Stefani will join previously announced performers Usher, Nelly and Green Day. Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Tara Reid, Big & Rich, Kelly Osbourne, Gretchen Wilson and Macy Gray will make special appearances, along with previously announced artists Nick Lachey, Alicia Keys, Fantasia, Ashlee Simpson, Duran Duran and Chingy. Additional presenters, performers and final award contenders will be announced closer to air.

As lead singer and songwriter for Grammy-winners No Doubt and their four platinum-plus albums, Stefani has reigned as one of rock's most iconic and cool females. Stefani's much-anticipated debut album "Love. Angel. Music. Baby." will be available Tuesday, Nov. 23. Working with an eclectic array of musicians and producers who represent everything from new wave to hip-hop, Stefani has fashioned an album that, according to critics, "shimmers with exuberance. "

Now in its 110th year, Billboard is the world's premier music industry publication and a diverse digital, events and brand-licensing platform. Billboard publishes the most trusted charts and offers unrivaled reporting about the latest music, video and digital entertainment issues and trends. Billboard is the flagship property for the Billboard Information Group, which also consists of Billboard.biz, Billboard.com, Billboard Chart Alert, Billboard Information Network (BIN), Billboard Directories, Billboard Licensing & Events and Billboard Radio Monitor. The Group is a unit of VNU Business Media, a worldwide media company that provides specialized publications, electronically delivered data, expositions and marketing services and is owned by VNU Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Netherlands-based VNU, an international publishing and information company.

With his successful broadcasting career, it's no wonder E! Online named 29-year-old Seacrest one of the "20 Young Guns Under 30 Who Hold Hollywood's Future in Their Hands" and why he was voted one of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful." Seacrest is currently preparing for his fourth season as host of FOX's No.1 hit show, AMERICAN IDOL. With AMERICAN IDOL, his radio shows "On Air with Ryan Seacrest" and "American Top 40" ("AT40") and the many specials and award shows he presents throughout the year, he is able to reach millions of American eyes and ears. Seacrest's morning show, "On Air with Ryan Seacrest," has broken ratings records for parent company Clear Channel and continues to be the No. 1-rated morning show among women 18-49. The show broadcasts daily from 5:00-10:00 AM in Los Angeles.

MGM Grand, "The City of Entertainment" in Las Vegas, features 5,034 guest rooms and suites, a state-of-the-art gaming complex, world-class entertainment venues, signature restaurants owned by celebrity chefs and the $100-million Conference Center for meetings/conventions all centrally located on the Las Vegas Strip. For room availability and information about the MGM Grand, call (800) 929-1111 or (702) 891-7777 or log onto www.mgmgrand.com.

Bob Bain returns for his ninth year as executive producer of the BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS. Greg Sills will serve as supervising producer. Paul Flattery and Michael Levitt are producers. Bruce Gowers is the show's director and Wylleen May is the executive in charge of production.