The American Music Awards, which are less than a month away, just got a little more country thanks to the addition of two of Nashville's rising stars to the evening's festivities.

'American Idol' finalist Danny Gokey and 'iCarly' actress Jennette McCurdy will join pop singer Lance Bass and reality starlet Whitney Port on the red carpet as part of ABC's pre-show event, airing live on line on ABC.com and ustream.TV.

Chances are Jennette and Danny will have plenty of face time with their fellow country artists, who are fierce competitors among the list of nominees. Lady Antebellum ties with rapper Eminem to lead the pack with five nominations, which is the most of any artist or band. Other country stars with AMA nods include Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, the Zac Brown Band and Brad Paisley.

Performers for the AMA's include Christina Aguilera, Pink, Bon Jovi and Usher, with more expected to be announced at a later date.

Danny is a seasoned veteran at interviewing celebrities prior to awards shows, thanks to his gig last year as host on the orange carpet at the Academy of Country Music Awards. His most memorable celebrity one-on-one was with his own hero, Randy Travis, who he met during his stint on 'AI.' "I just interviewed him at the ACMs on the orange carpet," Danny recalls to The Boot, "and I said, 'I don't know if you remember, Randy, but you were the one that told me to do country music.' And he said, 'I do remember ... We haven't had soul like this in a long time in country music. They need you. Country music needs you.' And I was so blown away. I realize that I'm soulful, but the fact that he said, 'You could do it,' [was overwhelming], because I listened to country music growing up. And when he said they would accept me, he was right, because that's what people have responded to."

The American Music Awards will air live on ABC November 21 at 8 PM ET.

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