Mariah Sings in the New Year in Times Square

By Stephen M. Silverman

12/15/2005 at 08:40 AM EST

Continuing her comeback that already includes last Thursday's eight Grammy nominations, Mariah Carey will perform live from Times Square on ABC's Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve – the first time in the 34-year history of the year-end special that a singer has performed from Times Square, the network said.

The songbird will join cohosts Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest as the final minutes of 2005 are counted down and the famed ball drop begins. For Clark, 76, this year's gig represents his first TV appearance since suffering a stroke in early 2004.

Hilary Duff, who also intends to perform, will emcee the West Coast portions of the show, introducing artists including The Bangles, Chris Brown, Sean Paul, The Pussycat Dolls, Sugarland, 3 Doors Down and 311, ABC also announced.

In the 48th Grammy race, Carey's nominations included record, album and song of the year, as well as for best female pop vocalist. "This is incredible," Carey told CBS's Early Show immediately after the announcement. "I feel blessed to be a part of today. I feel blessed for having this incredible year. I'm just grateful for everything I have."