Teen-pop star Britney Spears , country singer Shania Twain

and R&B diva Whitney Houston led the nominations for the 27th

annual American Music Awards, announced Monday (Dec. 6), with three nods

each. A number of performers picked up two nominations for the awards based on record sales and radio airplay, including Latin sensation Ricky Martin, rapper Kid Rock, country singer Garth Brooks and boy band Backstreet Boys. The awards, based on a poll of music buyers, will be broadcast on Jan. 17 on ABC-TV and hosted by comedian Norm MacDonald.