At last year’s Grammy Awards, it seemed like every other “and the Grammy goes to …” was followed by the name of a country artist. With Miranda Lambert‘s ‘The House That Built Me’ doing well and Lady Antebellum‘s ‘Need You Now’ taking the cake in two major categories, it was a star-studded night for country fans everywhere. As the Staples Center prepares to roll out that red carpet once again, the Recording Academy has just announced the first group of performers for the 2012 Grammys, and nominees Taylor Swift and Jason Aldean are on that list.

Swift and Aldean will be joined by Kelly Clarkson, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars and Nicki Minaj for the Feb. 12 telecast. Though this will be Aldean’s first time to perform on the Grammy stage, Swift will be returning for the first time since her 2010 duet with Stevie Nicks.

Both country stars are up for three awards each, with Aldean getting nods for Best Country Solo Performance in ‘Dirt Road Anthem,’ Best Country Duo/Group Performance for ‘Don’t You Wanna Stay’ (with Kelly Clarkson) and Best Country Album for ‘My Kinda Party.’ Swift already has four Grammys to her name, and this year she’s up for Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song for ‘Mean,’ as well as Best Country Album for ‘Speak Now.’

The 2012 live event will take place on Sunday, Feb. 12 at Los Angeles’ Staples Center, and the live telecast will be broadcast on CBS from 8-11:30 PM ET. The Recording Academy will be announcing the next group of artists to perform soon.

 

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