He had one of the [article id="1589491"]biggest opening sales weeks of 2008[/article], and now, [artist id="510062"]Lil Wayne[/artist] is the year's most-nominated Grammy contender.

Wayne and his latest LP, Tha Carter III, lead the pack with a total of eight nominations, while one of [article id="1589936"]the year's other biggest sellers[/article], [artist id="1111141"]Coldplay[/artist]'s Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, garnered seven nods. [artist id="1269"]Jay-Z[/artist], [artist id="2002414"]Ne-Yo[/artist] and [artist id="1230523"]Kanye West[/artist] each earned six nods, while [artist id="506074"]Alison Krauss[/artist], [artist id="1220799"]John Mayer[/artist], [artist id="14245"]Robert Plant[/artist], [artist id="1123"]Radiohead[/artist] and [artist id="1875398"]Jazmine Sullivan[/artist] received five each. Adele is up for four -- including Best New Artist -- as are [artist id="2017563"]Lupe Fiasco[/artist] and [artist id="1225081"]T.I.[/artist]

The 51st annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live on CBS this coming February 8. But you might have thought -- perhaps just for a second -- that the awards were held Wednesday night.

Instead, what aired on CBS on Wednesday night was a well-produced, one-hour live concert special, hosted by two-time Grammy winner [artist id="932"]LL Cool J[/artist] and [artist id="2389485"]Taylor Swift[/artist], and it was the first of its kind in Grammy history.

In the past, nominees were revealed in the wee hours of the morning, during a simulcast that aired across several television networks' morning programs -- it was a ratings booster not just for one channel, but a handful. This year, CBS wanted the nominations all to themselves, so Wednesday night's prime-time program felt more like an awards show instead of a press conference. Held inside Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre, it was even given a fancy name -- "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! -- Countdown to Music's Biggest Night" -- and doubled as the launch of the new Grammy Museum, located right next door.

Adding to the awards-show flavor of the evening we were granted almost immediate reactions from the nominees themselves. After Ne-Yo revealed that the [artist id="2088128"]Jonas Brothers[/artist] had been nominated -- along with Brit Adele, Welsh singer Duffy, R&B chanteuse [artist id="1875398"]Jazmine Sullivan[/artist] and country outfit Lady Antebellum -- in the Best New Artist category, LL ambushed them in the audience for an interview.

How did Kevin Jonas feel about garnering his first Grammy nod? "Incredible. I don't know what to do. ... I'm a little shaken up."

"I can't stop smiling," gushed Nick Jonas. "We're honored to be in a category with such amazing artists," Joe Jonas added, humbly.

The evening kicked off with a sultry [artist id="976"]Mariah Carey[/artist], doing a jazzy version of "Please Come Home for Christmas," and delicately tossing small teddy bears into the audience while trying to navigate in a red micro-mini. Later, Janice Ian's "At Seventeen" was performed by [artist id="1060"]Céline Dion[/artist], who then quickly shifted gears from performer to presenter, unveiling the Album of the Year contenders: Coldplay's Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III, Ne-Yo's Year of the Gentleman, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss' Raising Sand, and Radiohead's In Rainbows.

The performances continued throughout the evening. The [artist id="986"]Foo Fighters[/artist] tackled [artist id="16222"]Carly Simon[/artist]'s "You're So Vain," putting their own unique rock twist on it. Then, frontman Dave Grohl announced the nominees for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals. [artist id="503203"]Alicia Keys[/artist] and John Mayer got a nod for their track, "Lessons Learned," while [artist id="1098"]Madonna[/artist], [artist id="1231683"]Justin Timberlake[/artist] and [artist id="503162"]Timbaland[/artist] picked up a nomination for "4 Minutes." Also nominated are Robert Plant and Alison Krauss for "Rich Woman," [artist id="1940303"]Rihanna[/artist] and [artist id="1230385"]Maroon 5[/artist] for "If I Never See Your Face Again," and [artist id="2807016"]Jordin Sparks[/artist] and Chris Brown for their hit, "No Air."

[artist id="509026"]Christina Aguilera[/artist] took on "I Loves You Porgy," Nina Simone-style, and [artist id="2389485"]Taylor Swift[/artist] sang her version of Peggy Lee's "I'm Sorry," and then she awkwardly revealed those in the running for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: [artist id="1526237"]Big Boi[/artist] featuring [artist id="1190"]Raekwon[/artist] and [artist id="1636205"]Andre 3000[/artist] for "Royal Flush," Jay-Z and T.I. featuring Lil Wayne and Kanye West for "Swagga Like Us," Lil Wayne featuring Jay-Z for "Mr. Carter," [artist id="961097"]Ludacris[/artist] featuring T.I. for "Wish You Would," and [artist id="1243444"]Young Jeezy[/artist] with West for their cut "Put On."

B.B. King and John Mayer teamed up for a jammy rendition of "Let the Good Times Roll," and then it was time to announce the Record of the Year contenders: Adele's "Chasing Pavements," Coldplay's "Viva la Vida," [artist id="2490602"]Leona Lewis[/artist]' "Bleeding Love," [artist id="1219572"]M.I.A.[/artist]'s "Paper Planes" and Robert Plant and Alison Krauss' "Please Read the Letter" will square off for the title -- one of the awards show's most coveted honors.

The full list of nominees is as follows:

Album of the Year

Coldplay, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends

Lil Wayne, Tha Carter III

Ne-Yo, Year of the Gentleman

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Raising Sand

Radiohead, In Rainbows

Best New Artist

Adele

Duffy

Jonas Brothers

Lady Antebellum

Jazmine Sullivan

Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group

Big Boi (featuring Raekwon and Andrew 3000), "Royal Flush"

Jay-Z and T.I. (featuring Lil Wayne and Kanye West), "Swagga Like Us"

Lil Wayne (featuring Jay-Z), "Mr. Carter"

Ludacris (featuring T.I.), "Wish You Would"

Young Jeezy (featuring Kanye West), "Put On"

Record of the Year

Adele, "Chasing Pavements"

Coldplay, "Viva la Vida"

Leona Lewis, "Bleeding Love"

M.I.A., "Paper Planes"

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, "Please Read the Letter"

Song of the Year

Estelle (featuring Kanye West), "American Boy"

Adele, "Chasing Pavements"

[artist id="1231897"]Jason Mraz[/artist], "I'm Yours"

[artist id="2005059"]Sara Bareilles[/artist], "Love Song"

Coldplay, "Viva la Vida"

Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals

Coldplay, "Viva la Vida"

[artist id="1260865"]The Eagles[/artist], "Waiting in the Weeds"

[artist id="2122478"]Gnarls Barkley[/artist], "Going On"

Maroon 5, "Won't Go Home Without You"

[artist id="2128037"]OneRepublic[/artist], "Apologize"

Best Rock Album

Coldplay, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends

[artist id="10551"]Kid Rock[/artist], Rock N Roll Jesus

[artist id="1233888"]Kings of Leon[/artist], Only by the Night

[artist id="995"]Metallica[/artist], Death Magnetic

The Raconteurs, Consolers of the Lonely

Best Rap Album

Jay-Z, American Gangster

Lil Wayne, Tha Carter III

Lupe Fiasco, The Cool

[artist id="1000"]Nas[/artist], Nas

T.I. Paper Trail

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical

Danger Mouse

Nigel Godrich

Johnny Karkazis

Rick Rubin

[artist id="1521450"]Will.I.Am[/artist]

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance

Adele, "Chasing Pavements"

Sara Bareilles, "Love Song"

Duffy, "Mercy"

Leona Lewis, "Bleeding Love"

[artist id="1962774"]Katy Perry[/artist], "I Kissed a Girl"

[artist id="710231"]Pink[/artist], "So What"

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance

Kid Rock, "All Summer Long"

John Mayer, "Say"

[artist id="12165"]Paul McCartney[/artist], "That Was Me"

Jason Mraz, "I'm Yours"

Ne-Yo, "Closer"

James Taylor, "Wichita Lineman"

Best Dance Recording

[artist id="900"]Daft Punk[/artist], "Harder Better Faster Stronger"

[artist id="1653160"]Hot Chip[/artist], "Ready for The Floor"

[artist id="3061469"]Lady Gaga[/artist] and [artist id="1626723"]Colby O'Donis[/artist], "Just Dance"

Madonna, "Give It 2 Me"

Rihanna, "Disturbia"

Sam Sparro,"Black & Gold"

Best Electronic/Dance Album

[artist id="1861312"]Brazilian Girls[/artist], New York City,

Daft Punk, Alive 2007,

[artist id="10985"]Cyndi Lauper[/artist], Bring Ya to The Brink

[artist id="12561"]Kylie Minogue[/artist], X

[artist id="1272"]Moby[/artist], Last Night

[artist id="500933"]Robyn[/artist], Robyn

Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals

[artist id="1027"]AC/DC[/artist], "Rock N Roll Train"

Coldplay, "Violet Hill"

The Eagles, "Long Road Out of Eden"

Kings of Leon, "Sex on Fire"

Radiohead, "House of Cards"

Best Hard Rock Performance

[artist id="760710"]Disturbed[/artist], "Inside the Fire"

[artist id="1301"]Judas Priest[/artist], "Visions"

[artist id="1227538"]The Mars Volta[/artist], "Wax Simulacra"

[artist id="997"]Mötley Crüe[/artist], "Saints of Los Angeles"

[artist id="350129"]Rob Zombie[/artist], "Lords of Salem"

Best Metal Performance

[artist id="1233625"]DragonForce[/artist], "Heroes of Our Time"

[artist id="1301"]Judas Priest[/artist], "Nostradamus"

[artist id="995"]Metallica[/artist], "My Apocalypse"

[artist id="1104"]Ministry[/artist], "Under My Thumb"

[artist id="509070"]Slipknot[/artist], "Psychosocial"

Best Alternative Music Album

[artist id="970"]Beck[/artist], Modern Guilt

[artist id="710356"]Death Cab for Cutie[/artist], Narrow Stairs

Gnarls Barkley, The Odd Couple

[artist id="1191443"]My Morning Jacket[/artist], Evil Urges

Radiohead, In Rainbows

Best Female R&B Vocal Performance

[artist id="3117360"]Beyoncé[/artist], "Me, Myself and I"

Keyshia Cole, "Heaven Sent"

[artist id="2481017"]Jennifer Hudson[/artist], "Spotlight"

Alicia Keys, "Superwoman"

Jazmine Sullivan, "Need U Bad"

Best Male R&B Vocal Performance

[artist id="710353"]Eric Benét[/artist], "You're the Only One"

Chris Brown, "Take You Down"

Ne-Yo, "Miss Independent"

[artist id="1838768"]Trey Songz[/artist], "Can't Help But Wait"

[artist id="1270"]Usher[/artist], "Here I Stand"

Best Rap Solo Performance

Jay-Z, "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is ... )"

Lil Wayne, "A Milli"

Lupe Fiasco, "Paris, Tokyo"

Nas, "N.i.*.*.e.r. (The Slave and the Master)"

[artist id="1133"]Snoop Dogg[/artist], "Sexual Eruption"

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration

Estelle (featuring Kanye West), "American Boy"

[artist id="2583152"]Flo Rida[/artist] (featuring [artist id="1998098"]T-Pain[/artist]), "Low"

[artist id="1784962"]John Legend[/artist] & Andre 3000, "Green Light"

Lil Wayne featuring T-Pain, "Got Money"

Lupe Fiasco (featuring [artist id="2473269"]Matthew Santos[/artist]), "Superstar"

Best Rap Song

Lil Wayne, "Lollipop"

Flo Rida (featuring T-Pain), "Low"

Snoop Dogg, "Sexual Eruption"

Lupe Fiasco (featuring Matthew Santos), "Superstar"

Jay-Z & T.I. (featuring Kanye West & Lil Wayne), "Swagger Like Us"