Music Fans Award Their Favorites
In an ocean of teenyboppers, this year's American Music Awards were dominated by a pair of adults.
The country husband-and-wife team of Faith Hill and Tim McGraw won four awards Monday night, with Hill earning bragging rights at home with three of their four trophies.
The rock band Creed and soul singer Toni Braxton each won two awards, the Backstreet Boys scored in their ongoing rivalry with 'N Sync, and fashion-conscious musicians competed to show the most skin.
Hill recalled that McGraw was the winner in 1995 when both were nominated for favorite country newcomers. "This is payback," she said. Creed was chosen favorite alternative music artist and their multi-platinum album, Human Clay, beat teen favorites 'N Sync and Britney Spears in the best pop album category. But the Backstreet Boys beat 'N Sync and Creed for favorite pop group. 'N Sync, however, won a trophy voted on by fans in an Internet poll. Creed lead singer Scott Stapp marveled at his band's success, particularly with the song "Arms Wide Open," written about his experience with fatherhood. "It's an amazing thing for this band and taken us to a level we never thought we'd achieve," he said. Braxton won her third American Music Award for favorite soul album, after winning in 1995 and 1997, and favorite female rhythm 'n' blues artist. She said it eased the pain after spraining her knee twice in rehearsal. "Two awards for two sprains," she said backstage. "I'm really happy." The final navel-baring count stood at nine. In the show's first seven minutes, Jennifer Lopez performed in a midriff-exposing outfit and host Britney Spears stripped off a pink gown in favor of a skimpy two-piece. The busy Spears, co-host with LL Cool J, revealed eight separate outfits. Shock rocker Marilyn Manson had the night's only visible corset. Unlike the Grammys, which are voted on by Recording Academy members, music fans determine the American Music Awards, making them a popularity contest. A polling group sent out 20,000 ballots to record buyers. Destiny's Child won favorite rhythm 'n' blues group and the Dixie Chicks won the award in country. Country singer Billy Gilman won best new country artist before reaching puberty. The rock band 3 Doors Down, who made the hit song Kryptonite, was named favorite new pop artist, and Donnell Jones won in the soul newcomer category. Kid Rock won as favorite male pop artist and Celine Dion as favorite adult contemporary artist. Dr. Dre beat out his protege, Eminem, for favorite rap artist. "I love the fact that I won," Dr. Dre said backstage. "It means somebody's paying attention to my hard work, and that's exactly what it is, a lot of hard work." Brian McKnight beat D'Angelo and Sisqo as favorite male soul artist. Janet Jackson was singled out for the special Award of Merit given each year for "outstanding contributions to the musical entertainment of the American public." She promised fans a new album and tour later this year. Aerosmith also received a special International Artist Award.
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