MAROON 5 SET TO PERFORM ON "THE GRAMMY(R) NOMINATIONS CONCERT LIVE! COUNTDOWN TO MUSIC'S BIGGEST NIGHT(R)"

LL COOL J RETURNS TO HOST ONE-HOUR EVENT ON DEC. 5

Three-time GRAMMY(R) AWARD-winning group Maroon 5 is the first act announced to perform on THE GRAMMY(R) NOMINATIONS CONCERT LIVE! - COUNTDOWN TO MUSIC'S BIGGEST NIGHT. (R) Two-time GRAMMY winner LL COOL J returns to host the one-hour special, which will take place for the first time ever at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., and will air live on Wednesday, Dec. 5 (10:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.

This concert special marks the fifth time nominations for the annual GRAMMY Awards will be announced live on primetime television. Last year's airing of the nominations special helped lead to increased ratings for THE 54th ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS, which attracted 39.9 million viewers, the largest GRAMMY audience since 1984 and the second largest in history. The broadcast was also the biggest social event in the history of television to date, drawing 13 million social media comments, with the conversation on Twitter reaching a record high at 160,341 tweets per minute during the live broadcast. Additionally, THE 54th ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS broadcast received six Emmy(R) Award nominations and won two: Outstanding Art Direction For Variety Or Nonfiction Programming and Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction For A Variety Special.

LL COOL J has hosted THE GRAMMY(R) NOMINATIONS CONCERT LIVE! - COUNTDOWN TO MUSIC'S BIGGEST NIGHT since its inception in December 2008, and also hosted the annual GRAMMY AWARDS broadcast for the first time earlier this year.

The road to Music's Biggest Night begins with THE GRAMMY(R) NOMINATIONS CONCERT LIVE! and culminates with THE 55th ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013 (8:00-11:30 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.

THE GRAMMY(R) NOMINATIONS CONCERT LIVE! - COUNTDOWN TO MUSIC'S BIGGEST NIGHT(R) is produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures, LLC. Ken Ehrlich is the executive producer. LL COOL J is producer.

Following the one-hour live broadcast, guests will experience a one-hour exclusive concert by one of the evening's performers. Pre-sale tickets for THE GRAMMY(R) NOMINATIONS CONCERT LIVE! - COUNTDOWN TO MUSIC'S BIGGEST NIGHT(R) go on sale today to select VIPs. Tickets to the general public will go on sale Friday, Sept. 21, and are available online at www.ticketmaster.com or via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at (800) 745-3000.

About The Recording Academy

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards - the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music - The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @TheGRAMMYs on Twitter (www.twitter.com/thegrammys), like "The GRAMMYs" on Facebook (www.facebook.com/thegrammys) and join The GRAMMYs' social communities on YouTube, Tumblr, Foursquare, GetGlue and Instagram.