The Grammy Nominations Concert Live

The countdown to the biggest night in music began when singing superstars Taylor Swift, Christina Aguilera and Celine Dion gathered at L.A.'s Nokia Theater for the first-ever Grammy Nominations Concert Live. Mariah Carey kicked off the hour-long CBS special with a primetime performance of the holiday hit "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" before this year's list of nominees was revealed. And with John Mayer, Foo Fighters and legendary guitar man B.B. King also taking to the stage, Grammy season started out on a high note.

-With reporting by Andrea Simpson and Lisa Tilson

Kevin

, Joe and Nick Jonas-known to their legions of female fans as The Jonas Brothers-scored front row seats for the ceremony, where they celebrated a nomination in the Best New Artist category. "We really look to our fans amp#91;when weamp#93; remember where we were and where we are today," Kevin told reporters. "We've journeyed from playing at little rock 'n roll venues in New Jersey to what we do today. We're just truly honored to be here and we can't believe that we’re standing on this stage."

LL Cool J

and Taylor Swift (in Jay Godfrey) teamed up to host the special. “You'll be glad to know that I won’t be trying to make rap music, but I will be glad to introduce these nominees," Swift told the audience before announcing the list of artists up for Best Rap Performance.

"The Grammy nominations sends you into the holidays better than anything else," said John Mayer, who got an early Christmas present when he joined B.B. King onstage to perform "Let the Good Times Roll." Mayer also offered up some fashion advice for the nominees. "Don't listen to stylists! Go with you!" he declared.

A leather-clad Celine Dion sang a medley of "At Seventeen" and "My Love" before announcing the nominees for Album of the Year. "I don't think that there's an honor I treasure more than Album of the Year," the chanteuse said. "And these nominees will feel the same way when their names are announced."

"It's fun to sing a song that has inspired me," said Christina Aguilera who performed the title song from the musical Porgy and Bess. What does the new mom sing to son Max in the privacy of their own home? I hum amp#91;a songamp#93; from the movie Mary Poppins called "Stay Awake," Aguilera (in Monique Lhuillier) said. "It's a little lullabye."

"I feel seriously under-dressed presenting these next award nominees," said Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl before reading the names of the contenders for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. "My dry cleaner said my Nudie suit would be ready, but it wasn't."

Though Ne-Yo raked in six nominations, he was also interested in taking another title. "I do what I can to try to get best dressed," said the music phenom, who paired a Gucci Jacket and scarf with a Ben Sherman topper. "I stay comfortable but glamorous at the same time."