2011 American Music Awards: Taylor Swift Wins Artist of the Year, Bieber Goes Empty Handed (Complete List of Winners)

It was hard to tell if the American Music Awards Sunday night (November 20) was a three- hour long variety act of one musical performance after another and then an awards show as a mere afterthought. That's exactly the way it was presented. In between the acts you had presenters come out either introducing the musicians or giving out an award. Not all categories were presented live in the telecast, only six were left out. You could see them listed very quickly in the closing credits.

Taylor Swift ruled the night winning three awards, two for her genre in country and the prestigious Artist of the Year. However, Adele won three AMAs, only one category was presented live in the one she won for, Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist. Unfortunately Adele was not in attendance as she was recovering from vocal cord surgery. The celebrity presenter accepted the award in her place. Other no shows were Beyonce who won Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist. She presented a video tape message thanking her fans while taking it easy before the birth of her baby. Rihanna won Favorite Soul/R&B Album since she was in the middle of her tour in Europe thanking fans via her video.

Katy Perry performed her latest song for the first time in front of an audience. It was unlike any of her high-energetic hits from the past. This was a ballad from start to finish that sounded like a country song. Afterwards, she was presented with a special achievement award for being the first female artist to have five number one hits off one album. Other recipients of this award included Michael Jackson, Prince and Mariah Carey.

Nicki Minaj opened the show with a futuristic laser light extravaganza featuring her costume with smashed up beer cans on her rear-end. She was truly overjoyed to win not one, but two American Music Awards for Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist and Album. Maroon 5 won their first award. Bruno Mars beat out Justin Bieber for Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist. Bieber was on earlier in the show singing a track from his Christmas album that was not only out of place, but out of tune. Closing out the award show or never-ending concert, take your pick, was LMFAO performing a mashup of their hits. I could have done without their so-called strip show towards the end. On a better note here is a complete list of winners from Sunday's 39th Annual American Music Awards:

Adult Contemporary Artist: Adele

Alternative Rock Artist: Foo Fighters

Contemporary Inspirational Artist: Casting Crowns

Country Female Artist: Taylor Swift

Country Male Artist: Blake Shelton

Country Band, Duo or Group: Lady Antebellum

Country Album: Taylor Swift, "Speak Now"

Latin Music Artist: Jennifer Lopez

Pop/Rock Female Artist: Adele

Pop/Rock Male Artist: Bruno Mars

Pop/Rock Band, Duo or Group: Maroon 5

Pop/Rock Album: Adele, "21"

Rap/Hip-Hop Artist: Nicki Minaj

Rap/Hip-Hop Album: Nicki Minaj, "Pink Friday"

Soul/R&B Female Artist: Beyonce

Soul/R&B Male Artist: Usher

Soul/R&B Album: Rihanna, "Loud"

Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift

New Artist of the Year: Hot Chelle Rae

SOURCES:

American Music Awards, ABC.go.com

Melissa Ruggieri, "American Music Awards: Remember when they mattered?", AJC.com

Tim Molloy, "American Music Awards: The Complete List of Winners", Reuters.com