AWARDS NOMINATIONS: A PRINCELY SUM

Prince, whose “Purple Rain” has been the nation’s best-selling album for more than six months, leads contenders for American Music Award trophies with 10 nominations, it was announced Wednesday.

Lionel Richie, who will host the nationally televised ceremony Jan. 28 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, finished second with eight nominations.

Other multiple nominees included Michael Jackson, Anne Murray, Ray Parker Jr., Kenny Rogers, Bruce Springsteen, the Statler Brothers, Tina Turner and Hank Williams Jr.

Unlike such industry-sponsored competitions as the movie Oscars and recording Grammys, the American Music Awards is a contest whose chief purpose is the staging of a television show. The awards also are designed to salute popularity rather than artistic accomplishment.

But the program, produced by Dick Clark Television Productions, apparently has been accepted by the public as part of the annual entertainment award show system. The program, now in its 12th year, consistently scores high ratings.

In the American Music Awards, winners are decided by a poll of 20,000 U.S. record buyers rather than--as in the case of the Grammys--balloting by record artists and executives. The more prestigious Grammy nominations will be announced Jan. 10.

Because Grammy voters often lean toward best sellers, however, many of the same musicians on the American Music Awards nominee list will almost surely do well in the Grammy nominating process. Only three records or artists are nominated in each American Music Awards category, where five are nominated in each Grammy category.

Prince will compete for favorite pop-rock male artist against Richie and Bruce Springsteen. His “When Doves Cry” single is up against Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” and Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It” for favorite record of the year.

Joining “Purple Rain” among nominees for most popular album were Richie’s “Can’t Slow Down” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” The latter, released in late 1982, won the American Music Awards trophy last year--one of seven awards picked up by Jackson.

Cyndi Lauper, Madonna and Linda Ronstadt were nominated as most popular female pop-rock singer of 1984, while Hall & Oates, Huey Lewis & The News, and Van Halen are up for favorite duo or group.

Prince also is well represented in the video categories. He’s in the running--against Richie and Springsteen--for favorite male video artist, and his “When Doves Cry” was nominated for most popular video single. Also nominated in the latter category: Richie’s “Hello” and Ray Parker Jr.’s “Ghostbusters.”

Favorite female video artist nominees were Laura Branigan, Lauper and Turner.

In country music categories, the nominees included:

Female vocalist: Barbara Mandrell, Anne Murray and Dolly Parton.

Male vocalist: Kenny Rogers, Ricky Skaggs, Hank Williams Jr.

Duo or group: Alabama, the Oak Ridge Boys, the Statler Brothers.

Single: “A Little Good News” by Anne Murray, “Islands in the Stream” by Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton, “Mama He’s Crazy” by the Judds.

Album: “Don’t Cheat in Our Hometown” by Skaggs, “Eyes That See in the Dark” by Rogers, “Roll On” by Alabama.

Video single: “A Little Good News” by Murray, “Elizabeth” by the Statler Brothers, and “Tougher Than Leather” by Willie Nelson.

In black music categories, key nominees were:

Female vocalist: Sheila E., Chaka Khan, Turner.

Male vocalist: Jackson, Prince, Richie.

Duo or group: The Jacksons, Kool and the Gang, the Pointer Sisters.

Single: “Caribbean Queen” by Billy Ocean, “What’s Love Got to Do With It” by Turner, “When Doves Cry” by Prince.

Album: “Can’t Slow Down” by Richie, “Purple Rain” by Prince, “Thriller” by Jackson.

Video single: “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr., “Hello” by Richie, “When Doves Cry” by Prince.