The 2016 American Music Awards will be recognizing Sting’s career in music with the American Music Award of Merit. Sting is also confirmed to perform on the AMAs airing on November 20, 2016 at 8pm ET and broadcasting live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Sting, who has never performed on the awards show, will sing a medley of his songs including “I Can’t Stop Thinking About You” from his new album, 57th & 9th, hitting stores on November 11th.
Previous Award of Merit honorees include Annie Lennox, Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Gloria Estefan, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson, Prince, and Frank Sinatra. Per the American Music Awards, the Award of Merit is “only given to artists who have made truly exceptional contributions to the music industry.”
As part of The Police, Sting put out five studio albums and earned six Grammy Awards. The Police were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. As a solo performer, Sting’s released 14 solo albums, earning 10 more Grammy Awards. He’s also received a Golden Globe, an Emmy, and was nominated for three Oscars. Sting’s first rock/pop album in more than 10 years, 57th & 9th, was produced by Martin Kierszenbaum and is named after the intersection of 57th and 9th in Manhattan.
The 2016 American Music Awards nominees are led by Drake with 13 nominations. Rihanna picked up seven followed by Adele and Justin Bieber with five nominations each. Beyoncé and The Chainsmokers tied at four nominations. Winners are determined by fan voting via AMAvote.com or Twitter using the nominee’s handle, the category name, and the hashtag #AMAs.
