USA: Carrie Underwood, Rhianna, Beyonce and Fergie take home gongs at American Music Awards

The American Music Awards resembled a greatest-hits version of "American Idol" on Sunday (November 19), as two former contestants of the hit talent show, Chris Daughtry and Carrie Underwood, each won three prizes. "Well, this is another show where we can say we respect it for what we do, and they don't have to invite us, but they do, so you've got to be happy, I'm happy that they allow us to come every year. I'm just happy to be here, still doing what I'm doing," said singer Mary J. Blige before the ceremony. "American Idol" veterans Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry were big hits at the awards show, both winning for each category nominated. Underwood, who won the fourth season of "Idol," went to No. 1 last month with her second album, "Carnival Ride." Earlier this year, she won the best new artist award at the Grammy Awards. Her American Music Award honours were for favourite female artist and favourite album, both in the country category, as well as a special "text-in" award decided by viewers during the show. "Of course I'm excited to be here, and I just think it's cool that it's a multi-genre awards show, we can get everybody together and have a fun night and just celebrate music, get up there, get on stage, and just do your thing," Underwood told Reuters. Daughtry's eponymous rock band won all three categories in which it was nominated, breakthrough artist, favourite adult contemporary artist, and favourite pop/rock album. Daughtry was a finalist on the fifth season in 2006. His band topped the U.S. charts this year with its self-titled album. On the red carpet before the ceremony, several musicians listed their influences among their peers. "The new Alicia Keys album is fantastic, Celine's record is great, Carrie Underwood, I just saw her, her album is really good. It's a solid last couple of months for music, I mean, it seems to be, for the moment, people are buying albums again. I've been so thrilled that we've been top five in the charts with the Christmas album for the last five weeks, and when I look at people like Jay-Z and Alicia Keys, who are doing 500,000 to 600,000 albums in a week, it gives you a little bit of hope that we still have an art form here," says singer Josh Groban. "Well, tonight I know Duran Duran are playing, and it will be fun to hear what they've done with Timbaland, I haven't heard the album yet, and I know some of the boys from back home, so it will be nice to see them perform tonight as well," says British singer/songwriter James Blunt. "Lenny Kravitz, haven't seen him in a while, Rihanna, Fergie," said former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash. The producers of the American Music Awards changed the voting procedure this year to mimic the fan-based element of "American Idol." About 1.2 million people voted online at a Web site established by the show's broadcaster, ABC, a spokesman said. By contrast, 74 million votes were cast by telephone for the grand finale of "American Idol" in May. Before this year, American Music Award winners were decided by a poll of 20,000 music buyers. Nominees are still determined by retail sales and radio airplay data.

ITN Source | November 21, 2007

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