The nominees for the "40th Annual American Music Awards" were announced yesterday . . . and RIHANNA and NICKI MINAJ lead everyone with four nominations.  The ceremony will air live on Sunday, November 18th . . . but until then, fans can vote for their favorites at AMAvote.com.

Now, that we've all had the chance to regroup from the SHEER HYSTERIA of Columbus Day Weekend, we can get back to the REAL business at hand:

The nominees for the "40th Annual American Music Awards" were announced yesterday . . . and RIHANNA and NICKI MINAJ lead everyone with four nominations.

AMA nominees are determined using a formula that weighs artists' music sales, prevalence on radio and TV, Internet streams and videos . . . plus, "additional online metrics," which include "social-media activity."

ABC will air the ceremony live on Sunday, November 18th.  So far, CHRISTINA AGUILERA is the only performer that has been announced.

This is the first ceremony since DICK CLARK'S death.  He created the "AMAs" . . . so naturally the show has a big tribute planned.

As usual, YOU will choose the winners.  Voting is open NOW at AMAvote.com.  Before casting your vote, you'll have to sign in through Facebook . . . or provide an email address to register.

Here are your nominees . . .

Artist of the Year:

--Justin Bieber

--Drake

--Maroon 5

--Katy Perry

--Rihanna

Favorite Male Artist - Pop / Rock:

--Justin Bieber

--Flo Rida

--Pitbull

--Usher

Favorite Female Artist - Pop / Rock:

--Kelly Clarkson

--Nicki Minaj

--Katy Perry

--Rihanna

Favorite Band, Duo or Group - Pop / Rock:

--Fun

--Maroon 5

--One Direction

--The Wanted

Favorite Pop / Rock Album:

--"Believe",  Justin Bieber

--"Overexposed",  Maroon 5

--"Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded",  Nicki Minaj

--"Up All Night",  One Direction

Favorite Artist - Rap / Hip-Hop:

--Drake

--Nicki Minaj

--Tyga

Favorite Rap / Hip-Hop Album:

--"Cole World: The Sideline Story",  J. Cole

--"Take Care",  Drake

--"Pink Friday:  Roman Reloaded",  Nicki Minaj

Favorite Male Artist - Soul / R&B:

--Chris Brown

--Trey Songz

--Usher

Favorite Female Artist - Soul / R&B:

--Beyoncé

--Mary J. Blige

--Rihanna

Favorite Soul / R&B Album:

--"Fortune",  Chris Brown

--"Talk That Talk",  Rihanna

--"Looking 4 Myself",  Usher

Favorite Male Artist - Country:

--Jason Aldean

--Luke Bryan

--Eric Church

Favorite Female Artist - Country:

--Miranda Lambert

--Taylor Swift

--Carrie Underwood

Favorite Band, Duo or Group - Country:

--Zac Brown Band

--Lady Antebellum

--Rascal Flatts

Favorite Album - Country:

--"Tailgates & Tanlines",  Luke Bryan

--"Tuskegee",  Lionel Richie

--"Blown Away",  Carrie Underwood

Favorite Artist - Adult Contemporary:

--Adele

--Kelly Clarkson

--Train

Favorite Artist - Alternative Rock:

--The Black Keys

--Gotye

--Linkin Park

Favorite Artist - Latin Music:

--Don Omar

--Pitbull

--Shakira

Favorite Artist - Contemporary Inspirational Music:

--Jeremy Camp

--Newsboys

--TobyMac

Favorite Artist - Electronic Dance Music:

--David Guetta

--Calvin Harris

--Skrillex

New Artist of the Year:

--J. Cole

--Fun

--Gotye

--Carly Rae Jepsen

--One Direction