NICKELBACK GRABS BEST ALBUM AT AMAS Canadian Press Vancouver-based band Nickelback was a big winner at the 2006 American Music Awards on Tuesday, taking home the trophy for best pop/rock album for All the Right Reasons.
“This is extremely unexpected,” marvelled lead singer Chad Kroeger, referring to the tough category that also included veteran rockers the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
“We just kinda showed up because we were supposed to give one of these away tonight,” Kroeger said of his band, originally from Hanna, Alta. “We thought for sure the Chilies were gonna just like clean house tonight.”
The Chili Peppers did clean up in two categories, taking the prizes for favourite alternative artist and favourite pop/rock group.
‘This is extremely unexpected,’ Nickelback lead singer Chad Kroeger said. ‘We just kinda showed up because we were supposed to give one of these away tonight.’
Other double winners were the Black Eyed Peas, named favourite group in the rap/hip hop and soul/rhythm & blues categories, and Kelly Clarkson, who captured trophies for pop/rock female and adult contemporary artist. Those two categories were among those presented before the televised portion of the performance-filled show.
Among those performing was Canadian singer Nelly Furtado, who debuted her new single Say It Right as smoke swirled around the stage.
Rascal Flatts won favourite country group and the T-Mobile Text-In award, which is chosen by fans.
Mary J. Blige accepted the female soul/rhythm & blues artist award from surprise presenter Britney Spears.
The newly single Spears looked sleek in a knee-length cream-coloured frock and long blond hair.
Oscar winner Jamie Foxx was named favourite male soul/rhythm & blues artist.
“I'm like a rookie in this music thing,” he said. “This means a lot more than you think, man.”
Foxx wore a white tuxedo and sat behind a grand piano to perform Wish U Were Here from his 2005 album, Unpredictable.
Dancehall singer Sean Paul was named favourite male artist in the category.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers accepted their awards via satellite from London, with bass player Flea beat-boxing as lead singer Anthony Kiedis thanked “the American people.” The Black Eyed Peas also accepted their awards from abroad, thanking fans via satellite from Costa Rica.
Among country honours, favourite female artist went to Faith Hill and Tim McGraw's Greatest Hits Volume 2 was favourite album. Country singer and American Idol Carrie Underwood was named favourite new breakthrough artist.
Eminem was favourite male rap/hip-hop artist. Shakira won favourite Latin artist and Kirk Franklin captured the award for contemporary inspirational music.
“I know that a lot of people that say that they're Christians — you know, we don't always represent, and we don't always live it and we do sometimes some very stupid things, and you know we're not doing a good job,” said Franklin, wearing blue jeans with a black velvet tuxedo jacket. “I want to make sure that when you see my life that it's a life that I'm gonna be proud of.”
Talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel kicked off the three-hour ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium, televised live on ABC, with a skit that placed a ringer for Spears' ex, Kevin Federline, into a wooden crate dumped into the ocean. Kimmel cracked that Federline was the world's first “no-hit wonder.”
Beyonce began the show, belting out her single Irreplaceable while vamping around the stage in a sparkly sequined mini-dress. The Pussycat Dolls also chose sequins for their performance, while Furtado opted for a skin-tight white dress and stick-straight hair.
Gwen Stefani made a stylish return to the music scene, performing the single Wind It Up from her forthcoming album, The Sweet Escape. The new mom, wearing a skimpy sequined shift and a shoulder-length platinum bob, yodelled and rapped convincingly throughout the tune.
Not to be outdone, rapper Jay-Z stepped out of retirement and back into the spotlight, accompanied by scantily clad dancers as he performed the single Show Me What You Got from his new record, Kingdom Come.
Lionel Richie made a festive return to the American Music Awards. Introduced by his diminutive daughter, Nicole Richie, the former Commodore performed a medley that included his ‘80s party anthem, All Night Long.
Barry Manilow performed a medley of favourites from his latest collection, The Greatest Songs of the Sixties.
The American Music Awards honour the best in pop/rock, country, soul/rhythm & blues, rap/hip hop, Latin, alternative, adult contemporary and contemporary inspirational music. Nominees were chosen based on record sales and winners were selected by a survey of about 20,000 listeners.
List of winners at the American Music Awards:
Pop-Rock:
Soul-R&B:
Country:
Rap/Hip-Hop:
Adult Contemporary:
Latin Music:
Alternative Music:
Contemporary Inspirational:
Breakthrough New Artist:
T-Mobile Text-In Award (voted by public):
|