Chili Peppers, Beyonce to Ensure a Red Hot Grammy Night

Beyonce, the Dixie Chicks, Gnarls Barkley and the Red Hot Chili Peppers were the first perfomers announced Thursday for the 49th annual Grammy Awards next month.

All four artists are multiple nominees this year. Beyonce received four nominations, three of which are in the R&B category. The Dixie Chicks and Gnarls Barkley are competing for Record Of The Year, among other categories, while the Chili Peppers are eyeing the other top prize of the night, Album Of The Year.

In addition, CBS announced that nominees Nelly Furtado and Mary J. Blige will make guest appearances on two of the network's shows during Grammy week. Furtado will play a high-profile shoplifter on CSI: NY, while Blige, who leads this year's nominees with eight nominations, will appear as a high school cheerleading coach on The Ghost Whisperer.

More performers and presenters will be announced later this month. The ceremony airs live on CBS, Feb. 11, from Los Angeles' Staples Center.