dick clark productions to Produce 29th Annual ``American Music Awards'' on ABC-TV January 9th; Michael Jackson to Receive ``Artist of the Century'' Award.

Business/Entertainment Editors

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 8, 2002

Continuing as one of the premier television awards shows of the year, dick clark productions, inc. (Nasdaq: DCPI) will produce the "American Music Awards" on the ABC Television Network on Wednesday, January 9, 2002. The three-hour special will be telecast from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California from 8-11 pm ET/PT (7-10 pm CT).

"This is the 29th year that we have produced this important television special," said Francis C. La Maina, President and Chief Operating Officer. "Ranked No. 1 in its time period last year, the show leads the roster of television awards specials for which our Company is distinguished."

Chris Tucker will lead a special salute to "The King of Pop," Michael Jackson, who will be honored with the "Artist of the Century" award. His sister, superstar Janet Jackson, will join the show via satellite from Tokyo where she is in the midst of a concert tour.

Reba McEntire will lead the tribute to Garth Brooks as he is presented the annual "Award of Merit" for his "outstanding contributions to the musical entertainment of the American public." Previous recipients of this award have been Bing Crosby, Berry Gordy, Irving Berlin, Johnny Cash, Ella Fitzgerald, Perry Como, Benny Goodman, Chuck Berry, Stevie Wonder, Kenny Rogers, Michael Jackson, Loretta Lynn, Paul McCartney, Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, Willie Nelson, Neil Diamond, Merle Haggard, James Brown, rock promoter Bill Graham, Whitney Houston, Prince, Tammy Wynette, Little Richard, Frank Sinatra, Billy Joel, Gloria Estefan and Janet Jackson.

The show will be co-hosted by Rap/Hip-Hop star Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and actress Jenny McCarthy. Others scheduled to perform on the special are: Yolanda Adams, Brooks & Dunn, Cher, Toby Keith, Kid Rock, Lenny Kravitz, Shaggy, Britney Spears, Usher and Luther Vandross, who will pay tribute, via song, to some of the great musical artists who passed away last year. Among those being remembered are singer/actress Aaliyah, Country great Chet Atkins, crooner Perry Como, the legendary John Lee Hooker, "Papa" John Phillips and George Harrison.

Among those scheduled to serve as presenters are: actress Christina Applegate, India.Arie, The Calling, Blu Cantrell, comedian Carrot Top, Nick Carter & Kevin Richardson of Backstreet Boys along with Krystal, Cedric "The Entertainer," Steven Curtis Chapman, Melissa Etheridge, Faith Evans, Nelly Furtado, Ginuwine, Savage Garden's Darren Hayes, Jagged Edge, Ja Rule, Alicia Keys, "American Pie"'s Chris Klein, "That 70's Show"'s Ashton Kutcher, Lifehouse, Lil' Bow Wow, Lit, actress Jennifer Love Hewitt, "The West Wing"'s Rob Lowe, Ludacris, "Politically Incorrect"'s Bill Maher, Master P and Lil' Romeo, Donnie McClurkin, "Charmed"'s Rose McGowan, Sugar Ray's Mark McGrath, Pamela Anderson, Jo Dee Messina, Method Man and Redman, Mandy Moore, "Malcom In The Middle"'s Frankie Muniz, Nelly, 'N Sync, Jamie O'Neal, O-Town, LeAnn Rimes, actress/model Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, SHeDAISY, Gene Simmons & Paul Stanley of KISS, supermodel Niki Taylor, "Just Shoot Me"'s Tiffani Thiessen, Trick Pony, Tyrese and Uncle Kracker.

In 2002, the "American Music Awards" will present the first-ever Coca-Cola New Music Award. Over the past months, the "American Music Awards," in collaboration with The Coca-Cola Company, dick clark communications and The CMJ Network, conducted a competition to find the best unsigned band or artist in America. The winner will perform live on the "American Music Awards" telecast.

Nominations for the "American Music Awards" are in nine categories. In the Pop/Rock, Country and Soul/Rhythm & Blues categories, awards will be presented for Favorite Male and Female Artist, Favorite Group, Favorite Album and Favorite New Artist. In the Adult Contemporary, Latin Music, Contemporary Inspirational, Rap/Hip Hop and Alternative Music categories, awards will be presented for Favorite Artist. An award will also be presented for Favorite Soundtrack.

Winners of the "American Music Awards" are selected by the public through a national sampling of approximately 20,000 individuals conducted by a major opinion research firm. Votes are tabulated by the Arthur Andersen LLP accounting firm and kept secret until envelopes are opened during the presentation ceremonies.

dick clark productions, inc. is a leading independent producer of a wide range of television programming for broadcast networks, cable networks, distributors and advertisers, as well as a leading creator of award-winning communications experiences from live events and meetings to integrated marketing programs for major corporations. dick clark restaurants, inc., a subsidiary, licenses and operates "Dick Clark's American Bandstand" casual dining restaurants under a variety of names.