LOS ANGELES - Chris Daughtry and his band, Daughtry, won the breakthrough artist award at the American Music Awards on Sunday, as Daughtry received the honor from fellow "American Idol" Carrie Underwood.
Daughtry nabbed three awards, winning breakthrough artist, favorite contemporary artist and favorite pop/rock album, while Underwood took home hardware for favorite country female artist, favorite country album and T-Mobile's text-in award.
Among the other winners at last night's awards ceremony were Rascal Flatts, named top country duo or group, Akon, who won favorite male soul/rhythm & blues artist, and Justin Timberlake, who walked away with favorite male pop/rock artist.
Fergie opened the show with a trio of songs from her debut album, followed by her main producer and Black Eyed Peas bandmate will.i.am. and his protege Nicole Scherzinger. Other performers included Maroon 5, Avril Lavigne, Rihanna, Rascal Flatts and teen stars the Jonas Brothers.
Also giving performances last night were Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Queen Latifah, Chris Brown, Celine Dion, Duran Duran, Sugarland, Lenny Kravitz and Rihanna.
Another winner was Disney's pop culture phenomenon "High School Musical 2," which captured the favorite soundtrack album title.
The three-hour ceremony was hosted by late night talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel from the new Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. The show's basic script was written before the writers strike began last week, however there were no writers to provide Kimmel with his trademark quips about current events.
Kimmel admitted the Writers Guild of America strike prevented him from writing any material for the show.
"It may not look like it, but I'm striking right now in my heart," he said, apologizing to the crowd for having to tolerate "made-up crap."
Now in its 35th year, the American Music Awards honor pop-rock, country, soul-rhythm & blues, rap-hip hop, Latin, alternative, soundtracks, adult contemporary and contemporary inspirational music. Nominees were selected based on national sales and radio play.
For the first time in history, American Music Award winners were chosen by public votes cast online.
Full list of winners:
Breakthrough Artist: Daughtry
Country Band, Duo or Group: Rascal Flatts
Soul/R&B Male Artist: Akon
Pop/rock male Artist: Justin Timberlake
Favorite Soundtrack Album: High School Musical 2
Country Female Artist: Carrie Underwood
Contemporary Artist: Daughtry
Soul/R&B Album: Justin Timberlake
T-Mobile Text-in Award: Carrie Underwood
Pop/Rock Album: Daughtry
Country Album: Carrie Underwood, Some Heart
International Artist: Beyonce
Rap/Hip-Hop Band, Duo or Group: Bong Thugs 'n Harmony
Soul/R&B Female Artist: Rihanna
Pop/Rock Female Artist: Fergie
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