Broadcast live Nov. 22 from L.A.’s Nokia Theatre, the fan-voted American Music Awards kicked off with no shortage of Taylor Swift, 19, on this year’s ballot.
In particular, the CMA’s newly crowned Entertainer of the Year, scored six nods in this year’s AMA event, including nominations beyond her usual country-music categories; namely, Artist of the Year—a category that included the late King of Pop—as well as nods in the Pop-Rock/Favorite Female Artist, Pop-Rock/Favorite Album and Adult Contemporary/Favorite Artist races.
While it's unlikely anyone was truly surprised by Swift winning any of the contests she was nominated in, there were other dogs in this fight, if you will, especially when it came to the artist loyalty of country-music fans, including Jason Aldean enthusiasts.
Nonetheless, any win by a country artist is a victory for country music in the grand scheme of things, and when it comes right down to it, the majority of country fans create a singular community and support the genre as a whole.
Favorite Country Band, Duo or Group
In the AMA’s Favorite Band, Duo or Group/Country contest, Rascal Flatts, who captured the honor last year, secured the prize again, beating newcomers the Zac Brown Band and duo Sugarland. Now-single champion dancer-turned-country singer Julianne Hough and country-rocker Aldean presented the trophy to Rascal Flatts, marking the group's fifth AMA win to date.
Taylor Swift wins Favorite Female Pop/Rock Artist
Snoop Dog and Aerosmith's Joe Perry announced Taylor Swift as the winner in the Favorite Female Pop/Rock contest, marking Swift's first win of the evening. She accepted the prize via satellite from London, where she was rehearsing. To win, she overcame contenders Lady GaGa and Beyonce.
Favorite Male Country Artist: Keith Urban
A collective sigh from the Jason Aldean camp went round the country world, as Keith Urban bested fellow nominee Darius Rucker and the Georgia-born underdog, who's seeming becoming country's new fan-loved but award-deficient Toby Keith.
T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist of the Year: Gloriana
In a surprise win for country fans, newcomers Gloriana won the all-genre T-Mobile-sponsored award, besting fellow nominees Keri Hilson (soul/R&B), Lady GaGa (pop/rock) and Kid Cudi (rap/hip-hop). Earlier in the voting process, all of which was done via text-message voting, Lady GaGa was predicted to be victorious, but country ruled the day this time around.
Favorite Female Country Artist: Taylor Swift
At the start of this contest, two blonds and a red-head were in the running, but when all the votes were tallied, Taylor Swift took the contest, besting veteran Reba McEntire and Carrie Underwood. For those who are keeping track, Swift also won this race in last year's AMA.
2009 AMA Artist of the Year
In all, Taylor Swift won five American Music Awards this time around, including the evening's most-coveted prize, the Artist of the Year trophy, which also listed the the late King of Pop among its nominees. In her acceptance speech via satellite, the teen queen thanked the Jackson family for their recent show of support for her. (Methinks this may have something to do with the Kanye West interruption at the MTV-sponsored VMA contest, but only guessing here.)
"Music has never been, ultimately, about competition," Swift said in response to winning the coveted prize. "To even be mentioned in a category with Michael Jackson--who we'll miss and love forever--is an unimaginable honor. I just want to say I'm sending my love to the Jackson family and Janet for reaching out to me the way that you have. ..."
To no one's surprise, Swift also collected the AMA for Favorite Country Album for her multi-platinum Fearless record, winning out over Foundation by new stars Zac Brown Bland and Rascal Flatts' Unstoppable CD. Then, continuing her awards-show domination, Swift claimed the AMA's prize for Favorite Adult-Contemporary Artist, beating the likes of Jason Mraz and rockers Daughtry.
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