2009 American Music Awards: Winners & Highlights

The 2009 American Music Awards differed from the rest in one way... this year we lost a pop music icon. Michael Jackson was nominated for 5 AMA's. Janet Jackson opened the show, appropriately enough. All about the stage show and dance, Janet Jackson gave us a medley of her hits. Another great performance by Miss Jackson.

Lets get to the winners!

2009 AMA: Best Pop Rock Band, Duo or Group:
The Black Eyed Peas - Winner
Kings of Leon
Nickelback

Not a big shocker, The Black Eyed Peas held the number one spot on the singles charts for 26 weeks. Both Kings of Leon and Nickelback have large followings. I assumed The Peas would win, but Nickelback was my sentimental favorite.

2009 AMA Favorite Country Band, Duo or Group:
Rascal Flatts - Winner
Sugarland
Zac Brown Band

Pretty much a lock in this category, Rascal Flatts has a huge fan base. Sugarland was likely the closest chaser in this category. Rascal Flatt's always freaks me out a little, a guy that big should not have a voice that high.

2009 AMA Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist
Taylor Swift - Winner
Beyonce
Lady GaGa

Taylor Swift continues to prove herself in the music world with a big win over these two popular singers. Not sure she should even be in this category, maybe pop country at best (but definitely country not rock). Happy to report that no one grabbed the microphone in Beyonce's defense this time, both Taylor Swift and Beyonce were not at the awards.

2009 AMA Favorite Alternative Rock Music Artist
Green Day - Winner
Kings of Leon
Shine Down

No one can touch Green Day when they are on, and they have been on fire this year. I think I saw Green Day on every talk or variety show I turned on this year. Good for them! This looks like a year for the 'mature' bands to make a comeback (even if they never left).

2009 AMA Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist
Michael Jackson - Winner
Jamie Fox
Maxwell

No surprise at all here, the King of Pop wins his first posthumous AMA award. Since the fans pick the winners here, Michael Jackson is a pretty sure bet for all five of his nominations tonight. Jermaine Jackson and a "few family members" accepted the award graciously and without ado.

2009 AMA Favorite Country Male Artist
Keith Urban - Winner
Jason Aldene
Darius Rucker

Keith Urban takes home his first AMA award, a bit of a surprise after winning so many other awards. Urban also performed during the show, his hit "I Wanna Kiss a Girl". Let it be known that this Australian cowboy can probably kiss any girl he likes. Nice to see Darius Rucker making a comeback too.

2009 AMA T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist
Gloriana- Winner
Keri Hilson
Kid Cudi
Lady Gaga

Making a joke of their own newness, Gloriana spokesperson asked "Who here just asked, 'Who's Gloriana?'" The country band thanked Taylor Swift for believing in them (ah, now it makes sense). Lady GaGa was left out by the fans here, but I thought she had been around too long to be a breakthrough artist anyway. This AMA award was voted on during the event with the winning name text directly to the stage.

2009 AMA International Artist of the Year
Whitney Houston

This is an honorary award given to an artist for longevity and international success. Whitney Houston is the seventh artist to receive the award. Singing "Didn't Know My Own Strength", Whitney gave a professional and moving performance. It was good to see her on stage looking good. Her voice was nowhere near her original effortless pitches , but it was strong. Whitney paused long and full of emotion for the final line of the song "... I was not built to break...", it was the perfect song for Whitney Houston to take the stage with.

2009 AMA Favorite Country Female Artist
Taylor Swift - Winner
Reba McIntyre
Carrie Underwood

With a young crowd voting Reba McIntyre likely didn't stand a chance. Taylor Swift grabbed the win over Carrie Underwood, a likely second. Taylor Swift continues her new reign of young country music fans.

2009 AMA Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist
Michael Jackson - Winner
Eminem
T.I.

A done deal this year, Michael Jackson takes in his second win of the night. This made 23 AMA award wins for Jackson, a record for any artist. Taking the stage alone this time, Jermaine Jackson took his time accepting this award. Thanking Allah, Dick Clark and the Jackson family individually... who won again?

2009 AMA Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Male Artist
Jay-Z - Winner
Eminem
T.I.

Jay-Z has been all over the place this year, had to be between him and Eminem. By the way, Eminem won on my personal list for most bleeped performance with Fifty Cent (all in promo for their Rock Band game).

2009 AMA Artist of the Year
Taylor Swift - Winner
Michael Jackson
Eminem
Kings of Leon
Lady GaGa

Only the young Taylor Swift could keep Michael Jackson from sweeping his five categories this year. Taylor showed her humbleness in an acceptance speech paying homage to the King of Pop and his family.

The finale had been pimped as a show stopper all night... and that it was. Adam Lambert has been kept relatively quiet since his second place finish on American Idol. Tonight he, um, came out. In a performance of "For Your Entertainment", Adam Lambert had young men and women in varying degrees of undress and leather, with himself playing a sort of ringmaster. At some point things went very "not ready for prime time" as Lambert grabbed the head of one of the guys (on his knees next to Lambert) and pressed it to his gyrating crotch... the camera went on a mad search for something else. Later in the performance Adam sat in a chair under a stripper pole with the stripper's foot in his crotch, he reached up between her legs and... well, you get the idea. Yes it was quite a show stopper.

American Idol contributed the most talent to the 2009 American Music Awards. With Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert, Chris Daughtry and even a peek at Kris Allen (though the rest performed Kris, come on). Carrie Underwood gave the performance of the night vocally. Daughtry also gave another strong showing.

Well that's it for another year of America's favorite artists. Not happy with this year's winners? Remember to vote next year!