All a’Board: ‘Billboard Music Awards’ strives for variety in Vegas show

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Dec. 6, 2002 | 9:12 a.m.

Bob Bain knows a good location when he spots one, and the man in charge of the "Billboard Music Awards" television show sees a town bristling with unique settings when he visits Las Vegas.

"Las Vegas is an incredibly visual location and venue, and it offers us the opportunity to go there every year and try to create stuff that feels fresh," Bain, the program's executive producer, said in a recent phone interview from his Los Angeles office.

Since bringing the show to town in 1996 his first year at the helm Bain has relied on Vegas landmarks to infuse his program with originality each winter. "What we've tried to do is event-ize' it, and by that I mean that we've tried to make it special so that it just doesn't feel like yet another awards show," Bain said.

"It's the reason we put Aerosmith in the pool at the Hard Rock surrounded by synchronized swimmers. It's the reason we put Creed on top of the Rio. And it's the reason we put Britney (Spears)in the fountains at the Bellagio."

Bain would not disclose the planned stunt for the 2002 show, which will be broadcast Monday at 5 p.m. nationwide (tape-delayed locally at 8 p.m. on Channel 5) from the MGM Grand Garden Arena. He did drop a couple of hints about what would be in store for viewers, though.

"All I can say is Avril Lavigne and skateboarding," Bain said.

Lavigne, an 18-year-old pop sensation, is up for a pair of Billboard awards: Female Artist of the Year and New Artist of the Year. She will also perform at the event, along with Creed, Justin Timberlake, Faith Hill, Nelly and the St. Lunatics and Puddle of Mudd.

Timberlake, a member of boy band 'N Sync who recently released his first solo album, is still slated to appear despite breaking a foot during rehearsal last month.

"When we heard about Justin, we had to go in and retool that, because the reality is that Justin probably will not be dancing the same way Justin would have been prior to the time he broke his foot," Bain said. "He's still on the show, but we have to go back and make sure it's still up to his standards while doing something that accommodates his physical condition."

Despite the grouping of mostly young performers, however, the show will also feature a nod to several veteran musicians, most notably groundbreaking rap band Run-D.M.C.

Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry will team up with hip-hop artists Nelly and Nas for a tribute to Run-D.M.C., which lost DJ Jam Master Jay in October when the DJ was murdered in Queens, N.Y.

Surviving members Joseph "Run" and Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels are also scheduled to be on hand for what is expected to be one of the duo's final public appearances. The two officially disbanded Run-D.M.C. in the days following Jam Master Jay's death.

"The tragedy that has befallen this group recently gives rise to an opportunity to recognize the history of rap music and its roots," Bain said. "These guys were involved from the beginning, and their collaboration with Aerosmith (on "Walk This Way") was one of the defining moments in the popularization and crossover appeal of rap music."

Billboard will also recognize the accomplishments of three longtime popular-music figures: Cher, Annie Lennox and Michael Jackson. Cher will be presented with this year's Artist Achievement Award, Lennox will receive the Century Award and Jackson will be given a special award marking the 20th anniversary of the release of "Thriller," the best-selling album in history with more than 50 million copies sold worldwide.

"This is a broad show by definition because Billboard covers a wide spectrum of music, and consequently we're obligated to do the same on the television show," Bain said. "For example, you won't see MTV giving country awards away, and we do that on this show because that's part of what Billboard charts.

"Our objective is to try to create something that is 'hip,' yet accessible, so that it can appeal to a broad range of tastes and ages and economics and ethnicities and everything else."

The rest of Billboard's awards are based on yearly sales and airplay.

Nelly is a finalist in 10 categories, tops among all artists, followed by Ashanti (7), Puddle of Mudd (5), Eminem (4) and Alan Jackson (4).

Comedian Cedric the Entertainer will serve as event host for the first time. Confirmed presenters include Steven Tyler, Master P, Shannon Elizabeth and Tim McGraw.

The live show is slated to run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. That early finish adds to the event's Las Vegas appeal, Bain said.

"The reality is, whether you're talent or audience, this is over at 7," he said. "So it becomes a really fun evening for people, because they still have a full night ahead of them in Las Vegas after the show is over."