Grammys look a little like the Lilith Fair

Paula Cole

NEW YORK (CNN) -- The telecast for the 40th annual Grammy Awards will have something in common with last summer's Lilith Fair, the touring festival of female singer-songwriters.

Grammy-nominated Fiona Apple, Shawn Colvin, Paula Cole and Sarah McLachlan are to perform for the telecast. Cole, among the most-nominated, is up for seven Grammys, including record of the year and best new artist, categories in which industry experts consider her the favorite.

Erykah Badu

But Babyface, who won three Grammys last year, goes into the 1998 ceremonies as the leader, with eight nominations. He is a strong contender for R&B album of the year, but faces competition from Erykah Badu and Mary J. Blige.

In other awards races:

• Album of the Year honors are likely to go to Bob Dylan for his "Time Out of Mind," a critical favorite.
• Song of the Year usually goes to a syrupy ballad. "How Do I Live," written by Diane Warren and a hit for both Trisha Yearwood and LeAnn Rimes, fits the bill. But it could be edged out by R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly."
• In the Country Album of the Year category, George Strait's "Carrying Your Love With Me" has to be considered the one to beat.
• "Tell Him," the duet featuring Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion, looks like a lock to win Best Pop Vocal Collaboration. The pair also is booked to perform on the Grammy telecast.

The Recording Academy would have wanted Grammy-nominated Jakob Dylan of the Wallflowers to duet with his dad, Bob, but insiders say that will not happen.

On hand to help winners and losers cope with their emotions will be TV shrink "Frasier" -- that is, Kelsey Grammer -- who is hosting the awards ceremony.