Ciara, Amerie Up for Lady of Soul Awards

09/07/2005 3:19 PM, AP


Ciara, Amerie, Fantasia and Destiny's Child were up for multiple honors at the Lady of Soul Awards, with special honoree Aretha Franklin set to make a much anticipated appearance.

Teen crunk&B sensation Ciara, along with R&B stars Toni Braxton and Brian McKnight, were the scheduled hosts of Wednesday night's awards ceremony, which will be syndicated for broadcast later this month. Winners were decided by 1,600 voters, including artists and radio station representatives.

Soul diva Franklin was to receive the 2005 Lena Horne Award for outstanding career achievements — and join Stevie Wonder for a duet performance.

Amerie, whose "1 Thing" spawned a summertime hit, was to receive the Aretha Franklin Award for entertainer of the year, to be presented by Franklin herself.

Ciara, who lost out at last week's World Music Awards, was vying for best new artist along with "American Idol" chanteuse Fantasia. Ciara also collaborated with Missy Elliott on "Lose Control," a nominee in the dance cut and music video categories, competing against Destiny's Child, Amerie and Ciara's own "1,2 Step."

Ciara's dance jam "Goodies" faced off with tunes by Amerie, Fantasia and Alicia Keys for song of the year.

Destiny's Child, a big winner at the World Music Awards for "Destiny Fulfilled," was also up for best group album and single, with sister act Nina Sky as the soon-to-retire trio's only competition.