RMAs

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Oct. 22, 2004 | 8:52 a.m.

Media pundits often write off radio as a dying outlet, but don't tell it to Paul Joseph.

Five years ago Joseph helped create the "Radio Music Awards," an annual made-for-TV event celebrating the continued impact of radio on popular music.

"A show like this helps radio really show its muscle," Joseph, one of the RMAs' three executive producers, said. "This is a way of giving thanks to radio, with all of the artists going up to say, 'Thank you radio for making me a star.'"

The "RMAs" return to Las Vegas for the fifth time on Monday night, with the two-hour event slated to begin at 6 p.m.

For the fourth year in a row, the Aladdin Theatre for Performing Arts hosts the show, which goes out live to the East Coast and airs locally at 9 p.m. on NBC (Channel 3). Tickets are available to the public, from $68 to $368.

According to Nielsen Media Research, last year's "Radio Music Awards" show ranked first in its time slot among adults ages 18-49 with a 4.5 rating (11 share) and averaged 9.6 million viewers overall.

"Most shows of this ilk don't get their legs until about their eighth or ninth year," Joseph said. "I think the reason we're out of the gate so fast with this show is because of the style in which we do it. We operate it more like a concert than an awards show. It moves very quickly, and we keep the audience totally involved."

Topping the list of performing acts: Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, collectively known as Destiny's Child.

The recently reunited R&B trio will make just their third televised appearance since 2001. The other two came last month on a pair of ABC specials, "NFL Opening Kickoff" and Pepsi's "Play for a Billion" game show.

Destiny's Child is slated to kick off the "RMAs" broadcast with "Lose My Breath," the first single from upcoming album "Destiny Fulfilled."

"It's thrilling because they're reuniting and this is really their coming-out performance," Joseph said. "They're spending a lot of time on this. They want it to be perfect. So that's going to be a highlight of the show, no doubt."

Also scheduled to perform: Usher, Elton John, Tim McGraw, Alanis Morissette, Chingy, Ashlee Simpson, Train and Gretchen Wilson with Big & Rich.

Nominees for most of the show's awards were determined by their total number of U.S. radio spins from September 2003 through August 2004. Winners are selected by a panel of radio program directors.

Artists and songs of the year will be selected in seven musical genres: adult contemporary, country, hip-hop/rhythmic, modern adult contemporary, rock, rock alternative and Top 40.

For the first time this year, the Radio Music Awards will also provide fans an opportunity to select one winner, the Cingular Artist of the Year, through text messaging. The finalists: 3 Doors Down, Beyonce, Nickelback, OutKast and Usher.

Janet Jackson will receive a Radio Legend Award for career achievement. Previous recipients include David Bowie, Elton John and Tom Petty.

"It recognizes her overall excellence in radio, her longevity and her ability to continue to make great music and be so resilient," Joseph said.

At press time, Jackson had confirmed her attendance, but had not decided whether she planned to perform at the "RMAs." Joseph said that either way, he's not too worried about another Super Bowl-style "wardrobe malfunction."

"That's always a concern for a producer, but I think if there was a lesson to be learned there, she learned it," Joseph said. "But it should help build anticipation."

Late-night talk show host Carson Daly and supermodel Molly Sims will co-host this year's RMAs. Also slated to appear on the show: Carmen Electra, Ryan Seacrest, Kelly Osbourne, Mark McGrath, Ciara and Ty Murray.