Country singer set for triumph

Faith Hill with huband and fellow musician Tim McGraw

Country singer Faith Hill has been tipped to walk away with the most trophies at the American Music Awards on 8 January.

Hill was named in four categories, including best pop/rock female artist and best country female artist, when the full list of nominations were revealed on Monday.

Following Hill with three nominations each were Salsa performer Marc Anthony and Florida-bred rock band Creed.

Britney Spears was nominated in two categories

Eight acts received two nominations each, including pop singer Britney Spears, who will host the three-hour event at the Shrine Auditorium in LA.

After a year in the charts, Hill's album Breathe has totalled sales of 3.7m in the US.

This year, the singer from Mississippi has already won best female vocalist prizes at both the Country Music Association Awards and the Academy of Country Music Awards.

But the broad appeal of the 33-year-old Hill is reflected in these latest nominations, which recognise her as both a rock/pop and country music artist.

Hill's husband Tim McGraw is also a US country music artist. He was nominated in the best male pop/rock artist and Latin artist categories.

Similarly, Marc Anthony is also considered to have wide crossover appeal. He will compete with Hill in the best contemporary artist category.

Anthony was also named in the best male pop/rock artist and best Latin artist sections.

Grammy award-winning rapper Eminem is also in the race

Quartet Creed have become one of the biggest rock successes of the past few years in the US with their Christian-influenced music.

They were nominated for best band, duo or group. Their record Human Clay was nominated in the best album category.

Elsewhere, teenage pop star Britney Spears won nominations for best female pop/rock artist and best pop/rock album for Oops!... I Did It Again.

The other multiple nominees included Toni Braxton, Destiny's Child, Canadian singer Celine Dion, rapper Eminem and pop group 'N Sync.