Now, that we've all had the chance to regroup from the SHEER HYSTERIA of Columbus Day Weekend, we can get back to the REAL business at hand:  The nominees for the "40th Annual American Music Awards" were announced yesterday, and RIHANNA and NICKI MINAJ lead everyone with four nominations.  Drake, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, One Direction and Usherhave three apiece.

AMA nominees are determined using a formula that weighs artists' music sales, prevalence on radio and TV, Internet streams and videos, plus, "additional online metrics," which include "social-media activity."  ABC will air the ceremony live on Sunday, November 18th.  So far, CHRISTINA AGUILERA is the only performer that has been announced.  This is the first ceremony since DICK CLARK'S death.  He created the "AMAs", so naturally the show has a big tribute planned.

As usual, YOU will choose the winners.  Voting is open NOW at AMAvote.com.  Before casting your vote, you'll have to sign in through Facebook, or provide an email address to register.

Here are your nominees . . .

Artist of the Year:

Justin Bieber
Drake
Maroon 5
Katy Perry
Rihanna

Favorite Male Artist - Pop / Rock:

Justin Bieber
Flo Rida
Pitbull
Usher

Favorite Female Artist - Pop / Rock:

Kelly Clarkson
Nicki Minaj
Katy Perry
Rihanna

 Favorite Band, Duo or Group - Pop / Rock:

Fun
Maroon 5
One Direction
The Wanted

Favorite Pop / Rock Album:

"Believe",  Justin Bieber
"Overexposed",  Maroon 5
"Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded",  Nicki Minaj
"Up All Night",  One Direction

Favorite Artist - Rap / Hip-Hop:

Drake
Nicki Minaj
Tyga

Favorite Rap / Hip-Hop Album:

"Cole World: The Sideline Story",  J. Cole
"Take Care",  Drake
"Pink Friday:  Roman Reloaded",  Nicki Minaj

Favorite Male Artist - Soul / R&B:

Chris Brown
Trey Songz
Usher

Favorite Female Artist - Soul / R&B:

Beyoncé
Mary J. Blige
Rihanna

Favorite Soul / R&B Album:

"Fortune",  Chris Brown
"Talk That Talk",  Rihanna
"Looking 4 Myself",  Usher

Favorite Male Artist - Country:

Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Eric Church

Favorite Female Artist - Country:

Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Favorite Band, Duo or Group - Country:

Zac Brown Band
Lady Antebellum
Rascal Flatts

Favorite Album - Country:

"Tailgates & Tanlines",  Luke Bryan
"Tuskegee",  Lionel Richie
"Blown Away",  Carrie Underwood

Favorite Artist - Adult Contemporary:

Adele
Kelly Clarkson
Train

Favorite Artist - Alternative Rock:

The Black Keys
Gotye
Linkin Park

Favorite Artist - Latin Music:

Don Omar
Pitbull
Shakira

Favorite Artist - Contemporary Inspirational Music:

Jeremy Camp
Newsboys
TobyMac

Favorite Artist - Electronic Dance Music:

David Guetta
Calvin Harris
Skrillex

New Artist of the Year:

J. Cole
Fun
Gotye
Carly Rae Jepsen
One Direction