The American Music Awards gospel connections: Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood pictures

Photo of Carrie Underwood at AMAs by Chris Pizzello

The 2009 American Music Awards are tearing up the television airwaves tonight as a Who's Who of musicians are nominated in various categories. This year's AMAs feature several artists with gospel ties including Jeremy Camp, Brandon Heath, Mary Mary, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Whitney Houston, Daughtry, and Michael Jackson.

Jeremy Camp, Brandon Heath, Mary Mary

The most obvious are those artists nominated in the Contemporary Inspirational category. Nominees for the gospel award include: Jeremy Camp, Brandon Heath, and Mary Mary. (See Nominees for 2009 American Music Awards: Jeremy Camp, Brandon Heath, Mary Mary gospel nods.) Mary Mary walked away with the 2009 award in the Inspirational category. (See Gospel duo Mary Mary wins second American Music Award for Contemporary Inspirational.)

However, other artists nominated or performing at this year's awards also have strong gospel music ties.

Miley Cyrus

Nashville's Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana picked up a nomination for Soundtrack. Not only has Miley performed songs with a faith-based message like "The Climb," but her gospel roots are intertwine with those of her father Billy Ray Cyrus who is a respected gospel artist. Cyrus share the Soundtrack nomination with faith-based movie Twilight.

Taylor Swift

Local music diva Taylor Swift was nominated for six AMA nominations and captured five including Artist of the Year. Swift graduated from the Aaron Academy, a Christian school in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

Daughtry

American Idol's faith-based Daughtry was nominated in the Contemporary category. Chris Daughtry is a known Christan and has appeared on the gospel song "Slow Down" on the album Revelation by Christian rock band Third Day.

Kelly Clarkson

A performer at this year's awards, first season American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson told CCM Magazine “I’ve always grown up pretty close to church and with God.”  And she revealed to The Early Show national correspondent Hattie Kauffman, "I look for humor. I like funny guys. I need a Christian guy. I need a family guy."

Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston has had a long, if tumultuous history performing gospel songs and songs with a faith-based message. When accepting her award Whitney Houston tonight, began with, "First giving honor to God - first and foremost in my life."

Carrie Underwood

"Jesus Take the Wheel" the country-Christian single from Carrie Underwood's debut album, Some Hearts is the touching song of a woman who turns to Jesus in a crisis.  “If anybody ever doubts God, look at my life,” Carrie said in an interview www.gospelmusicchannel.com

Michael Jackson

The King of Pop Michael Jackson was also nominated for several AMA awards posthumously.