MAIN Art & ... Pop Culture American Music Awards

There's was an early Thanksgiving treat in store for pop music fans in 2008 - with not a turkey in the bunch....

Every year, the American Music Awards honors the current crop of pop music megastars ranging from country-western, Latin...to rock n' roll, rap, rhythm & blues.

The very first AMA crystal trophy went to singer Roberta Flack in 1973. Since then, stars from every spectrum of the music scene have been recognized in more than 20 award categories.

This year, nominees were announced on October 14, 2008. The awards telecast aired live from Los Angeles on ABC Television on Sunday November 23, 2008 at 8PM ET/PT with a return appearance by host Jimmy Kimmel and live performances by Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, Kanye West, and the Jonas Brothers.

For the second year running, the awards are decided by an interactive online poll — where fans get to pick the winner. This year's online polls to vote for favorite American music artists were found at ama.abc.com (voting ended November 7, 2008.)

Leading contenders this year included Alicia Keys, Coldplay, Chris Brown, Mariah Carey, Usher, Rihanna and a nod to the 80's with the return of New Kids on the Block and country music superstar Garth Brooks up this year for his best-selling Ultimate Hits album.

Meanwhile, check out winners past and present along with photos, trivia and more about the 35th Annual American Music Awards telecast ...

American Music Awards - The official ABC Television site with the complete schedule, online voting, plus lists of performers and presenters, photo galleries, a look back at the 2007 awards.

American Music Awards - Wikipedia - The entire history of the AMAs from 1973, including a look at the politics and gossip surrounding the awards.

2008 American Music Award Nominees & * Winners

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

* Chris Brown
Alicia Keys
Coldplay
Eagles
Lil Wayne

POP/ROCK

Favorite Male Artist:
* Chris Brown
Kid Rock
Usher

Favorite Female Artist:
* Rihanna
Mariah Carey
Alicia Keys

Favorite Band, Duo or Group
* Daughtry
Coldplay
Eagles

Favorite Album:
* As I Am, Alicia Keys
Viva La Vida, Coldplay
Long Road Out of Eden, Eagles

COUNTRY

Favorite Male Artist:
* Brad Paisley
Garth Brooks
Kenny Chesney

Favorite Female Artist:
* Taylor Swift
Riba McEntire
Carrie Underwood

Favorite Band, Duo or Group:
* Rascal Flatts
Brooks & Dunn
Sugarland

Favorite Album:
* Carnival Ride, Carrie Underwood
Still Feels Good, Rascal Flatts
The Ultimate Hits, Garth Brooks

SOUL/RHYTHM & BLUES

Favorite Male Artist:
* Chris Brown
J. Holiday
Usher

Favorite Female Artist:
* Rihanna
Mary J. Blige
Alicia Keys

Favorite Band, Duo or Group:
* Three 6 Mafia
G-Unit
Wu-Tang Clan

Favorite Album:
* As I Am, Alicia Keys
Growing Pains, Mary J. Blige
E-MC2, Mariah Carey

RAP/HIP-HOP

Favorite Male Artist
* Kanye West
Flo Rida
Lil Wayne

Favorite Album
* Graduation, Kanye West
American Gangster, Jay-Z
Carter III, Lil Wayne

ADULT CONTEMPORARY

Favorite Artist:
* Jordin Sparks
Daughtry
Eagles

LATIN MUSIC

Favorite Artist:
* Enrique Iglesias
Juanes
Wisin Y Yandel

BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST AWARD

* Jonas Brothers
Colby Cole
Flo Rida
Paramore
The Dream

also see -> MTV Video Music Awards

2009 Oscar Buzz | People's Choice