A prime example is the recipient of this year's Award of Merit, an honor bestowed for 31 of the AMAs' 32 years of existence. Bon Jovi will receive the Award of Merit based on the New Jersey rockers' "outstanding contributions to the musical entertainment of the American public" - not to mention selling more than 100 million albums.

Previous recipients include Michael Jackson, Loretta Lynn, Paul McCartney, Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, Billy Joel and Garth Brooks.

Clark isn't worried that some viewers might scoff at this year's choice, noting that "There's always criticism. But look, Bon Jovi has made an outstanding contribution to music for a long, long time. I think they made their national TV debut on 'American Bandstand' many years ago, so they've paid their dues." (Indeed, the band appeared in 1984, the year its self-titled debut was released.)

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