Taylor Swift will receive the inaugural Dick Clark Award for Excellence at the 2014 American Music Awards on Sunday night.
Swift will be recognized as the only artist in history to have three albums — “Speak Now,” “Red” and “1989” — sell more than 1 million copies in their first week on the market, according to Dick Clark Productions and ABC.
Swift also will open Sunday night’s show by performing her new single, “Blank Space.”
Dick Clark’s widow said it is fitting that Swift is receiving the first excellence award named for the legendary TV producer.
“The first time Dick saw Taylor perform, he knew she was something special,” Kari Clark said. “He would be thrilled to know she is the first artist to receive the (award).”
The American Music Awards telecast, hosted by rapper Pit Bull, will air from 8-11 p.m. Sunday on ABC. Categories include Pop/Rock, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Alternative Rock, Adult Contemporary, Latin, Contemporary Inspirational and Electronic Dance Music.
This year’s leader in award nominations is singer Iggy Azalea, with six.
Winners are determined by fan votes made online and via Twitter.
— City News Service