The American Music Awards Soon to Become the American Idol Awards

The 2009 American Music Awards (AMAs) might be called the American Idol Awards before too long, especially if American Idol continues to produce such popular artists as Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, and Kelly Clarkson. And with Adam Lambert, Season 8's runner-up, dropping his new album the day after the American Music Awards (and Kris Allen, Season 8's winner, releasing his album the week before the AMAs), it is almost guaranteed that the American Idol alumni will continue to be well represented. Back in 2007, Carrie Underwood and Daughtry walked away with six American Music Awards, three each. The two won a couple more in 2008, and Jordin Sparks won the Adult Contemporary Favorite Artist Award. This year, only Daughtry is nominated from the American Idol crowd (Favorite Artist -- Adult Contemporary), but, whether its presenting or performing, American Idol representatives are there in force just the same.

Kris Allen will be in attendance at the 2009 American Music Awards. Kris Allen is riding the release of his first album, a self-titled effort that more than likely will land at No. 1 on Thursday's edition of the Billboard 200 albums chart, displacing Bon Jovi's latest release, "Full Circle." Kris Allen and Ryan Seacrest will be two of the presenters at this year's AMAs ceremony. Ex-American Idol judge Paula Abdul will also present an award.

But Adam Lambert won't be there to present...

One of the biggest entertainment news stories in October was the announcement that Adam Lambert would perform at the 2009 American Music Awards. With his debut album generating advance sales better than Mariah Carey and Barbra Streisand, anticipation is high. Adam Lambert will perform a single from his new album, "For Your Entertainment."

Other American Idol alumni performing at the 2009 American Music Awards are Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, and Kelly Clarkson. All three artists dropped new albums this year. In fact, Carrie Underwood's third album, "Play On," was released on November 10 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200. Kelly Clarkson released her fourth album, "All I Ever Wanted," in March and debuted at #1. Daughtry's sophomore effort, "Leave This Town," was released in July, debuting at #1 as well. Of the three Kelly Clarkson, who won the very first season of American Idol, has been nominated seven AMAs over the year, winning four, including the T-Mobile Text-In Award for Artist of the Year in 2005. Carrie Underwood, who won American Idol Season 4, has also been nominated for seven American Music Awards and won four, including T-Mobile Text-In Award for Artist of the Year in 2007. Daughtry, who finished fourth in American Idol Season 5, has been nominated for six AMAs and won four (and this year's could make five), including 2007's Breakthrough Artist.

It isn't difficult to see that American Idol artists remain popular, even after they leave the show. It also isn't difficult to imagine some of the artists from American Idol Season 8 winning a bunch of awards next year. Hot on the heels of the releases of Kris Allen and Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta, who finished fourth in Season 8, will see the release of a new album on December 1. Danny Gokey, who placed 3rd in the competition, is slated to release an album in 2010.

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Sources:

ABC.go.com
Billboard.com
CBS.com
Bumpshack.com
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