• Michael Jackson will appear onstage at Sunday night's ceremony, but he has apparently "won a stare-down" against the producers, who wanted him to perform a medley of reworked Thriller hits. So instead, he'll just... stand around? Wave his glove in the air? Who knows. The upside: The chance of an Akon appearance just dropped by about 66%. [Rush & Molloy]
• In news that is sure to excite the Oprah crowd, Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban are going to duet on a Celine Dion song. Also, Fergie is performing with John Legend and John Fogerty is going to share a stage with Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis. [Centre Daily]
• Amy Winehouse went to the US embassy in London yesterday in order to secure a visa for travel to the States; while her dad doesn't want her to perform because of her fragile state, her label and Grammy organizers are hoping she'll show up. Because they care that much. (NB: I don't think reporting this bit of news breaks our Winehouse embargo; Jess disagrees.) [E!]
[Photo: AP]

John Legend, Once Again
The artist: Grammy-winning, ivory-tinkling crooner/Kanye West pal.
The sound: Striking, slowed-down soul with a scratched-record sheen.
The first in line: Ladies left wanting by the velvet teddy bear's latest offering.

Brooke Hogan, Undiscovered
The artist: Hulk Hogan's singing, dancing, nearly-naked-picture posing offspring.
The sound: Scott Storch-helmed blondie-pop, with hip-hop cameos thrown in for extra cred.
The first in line: Post-Hulkamaniacs who have traded in their red headbands for Paul Wall's "budget" grills.

Skid Row, Revolutions Per Minute
The artist: Three-fifths of the Jersey band that gave the world "Youth Gone Wild" and "I Remember You."
The sound: Hooky hard rock, amped up to 21st-century compression levels.
The first in line: We're not sure, but it definitely won't be Sebastian Bach.

On The CD Front [Pause & Play]