28th Annual American Music Awards

January 8th, 2001 - As the awards progress tonight, we'll be highlighting the winners in bold and they'll appear below our commentary.

Well, the show's underway and started with hosts Britney Spears and LL Cool J joking about her outfit. He said it was too conservative, so she ripped it off to reveal a skimpy two-piece below it.

The first presenters were 'N Sync who presented the trophy for Favorite R&B/Soul Album to Toni Braxton.

LeAnn Rimes was up next to introduce a performance by Jennifer Lopez. As is par for the course, Rimes had to mention Jennifer's "assets".

Maya and Creed were up next to announce the winner of Pop/Rock Favorite New Artist. The winners were 3 Doors Down.

Brian McKnight and Jo Dee Messina were up next to hand out the award for Best Country Album. Faith Hill, who caused a stir with her new haircut at the People's Choice Awards won for her album Breathe.

Fast-paced show so far. Mandy Moore introduced the show's second performance, 3 Doors Down.

Kelly Price and BB Mac were up next to present the Favorite Soul/R&B Band to Destiny's Child.

Toni Braxton, who mentioned she had had a small accident earlier, was the next performer of the night. Needless to say her bandaged knee stopped her from dancing.

Daryl Hannah and Nelly were the next presenters, handing the award for Alternative Artist to Creed.

The young country artist Billy Gilman was the next performer of the night. Wonder what his voice will be like after puberty? He's nominated for Best New Country Artist tonight.

Carmen Electra and rapper Ja Rule handed out the award for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist to veteran performer Dr. Dre.

Tiffani Thiessen (what happened to the "-Amber" joined 98 Degrees onstage to present the Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist to Kid Rock. He thanked the artists that have influenced (and worked) with him like Aerosmith and Run-DMC.

Britney Spears was the next performer. Britney went for the post-nuclear war greased-up vixen look, while her backup dancers looked as if all their clothes except for their boyfriend's underwear had been lost in the explosion.

Country band Lonestar were up next to explain the ballot tabulation process for the awards. They then presented the Favorite Country Female Artist to Faith Hill. Commenting on Britney's dancers she joked that she would have worn husband Tim McGraw's underwear on stage but it had a hole in it.

Snoop Dogg and little rapper Lil Bow Wow introduced the evening's next performance by Outkast.

Donnell Jones was the winner of Favorite New Soul/R&B Artist. The award was presented to him by Just Shoot Me actress Wendie Malick, Tyrese and Shaggy.

Country singer Martina McBride was the next performer of the night. She was introduced by Marc Anthony.

Basketball great Shaquille O'Neal was up next. He was there to present the Award of Merit to Janet Jackson. After a short video tribute, Janet came up with her long list of thank you's.

The next award up was Favorite Pop/Rock Album. It was presented by Destiny's Child to Creed for their album Human Clay. It was their second award of the night.

The Backstreet Boys were up next to introduce the night's next performer, Jessica Simpson.

The award for Favorite Country Group went to Dixie Chicks.

After a weird little delay while LL Cool J and Britney waited for some folks to get back to their seats, Uncle Cracker and Mystikal came out to give out the Favorite R&B/Soul Award to Toni Braxton who limped onto the stage for a second time.

Another tribute award, the International Artist award was presented to Aerosmith by That 70s Show's Laura Prepon and The Sopranos' Vinny Pastore. Joined by some talented acrobats, Aerosmith played their newest release.

Starting off the telecast's final hour, Donnell Jones, Vitamin C and Aaron Carter came out to present the Country New Artist Award. Young Billy Gilman, who performed earlier, said he wouldn't have believed in a "million, trillion" years that he would have one.

Sisqo then came out to introduce a very energetic performance by Pink.

Earlier winner Kid Rock was up next to introduce the yearly tribute to musical artists who had passed away in the last year, including Kid's friend Joe C.

William Shatner and Brooks & Dunn were on next to present the new Internet Fans Artist of the Year Award to 'N Sync. Brooks & Dunn joked that Shatner had made millions from Priceline.com. Shatner replied "That was last week."

Cindy Margolis (incorrectly identified as the most downloaded woman, a title she's since lost) and TV show survivors O-Town were up next for the duty of presenting Pop/Rock Band, Group or Duo to The Backstreet Boys.

Has anyone noticed that musicians at award shows thank God more than any other entertainment field? Just curious.

Brooke Shields then introduced the performance by Ricky Martin.

Angel's David Boreanz helped present the Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist Award to Brian McKnight.

Politically Incorrect host Bill Maher then introduced a performance by country sister act SheDaisy. Half an hour to go folks.

Melissa Etheridge and Alfonso Ribeiro then announced the Favorite Latin Artist. Winner Enrique Iglesias was not there to accept it.

Vertical Horizon then came out to present the award for Favorite Country Male Artist. The winner was Faith Hill's husband, Tim McGraw, so now both of them have something to take home tonight. He thanked the industry for allowing him many things, including meeting his wife.

Britney Spears then introduced the performance by Marilyn Manson.

With the show almost over Deborah Gibson and Melissa Joan Hart presented the last award of the evening, Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist to Faith Hill. Good night for her. Must be the new haircut.

Well the awards are over for another year. Thanks for joining us tonight and we'll see you later.

Pop/Rock

Favorite Male Artist

  • Marc Anthony
  • Eminem
  • Kid Rock

Favorite Female Artist

  • Christina Aguilera
  • Celine Dion
  • Faith Hill
  • Britney Spears

Favorite Band, Duo, Group

  • Backstreet Boys
  • 'N Sync
  • Creed

Favorite Album

  • Creed (Human Clay)
  • 'N Sync (No Strings Attached)
  • Britney Spears (Oops! ... I Did It Again)

Favorite New Artist

  • Macy Gray
  • Jessica Simpson
  • 3 Doors Down

Soul/Rhythm & Blues

Favorite Male Artist

  • D'Angelo
  • Brian McKnight
  • Sisqo

Favorite Female Artist

  • Toni Braxton
  • Whitney Houston
  • Kelly Price

Favorite Band, Duo, Group

  • Destiny's Child
  • Jagged Edge
  • Lucy Pearl

Favorite Album

  • Toni Braxton (Heat)
  • Destiny's Child (The Writing's on the Wall)
  • Sisqo (Unleash the Dragon)

Favorite New Artist

  • Donnell Jones
  • Mary Mary
  • Pink

Country

Favorite Male Artist

  • Alan Jackson
  • Tim McGraw
  • George Strait

Favorite Female Artist

  • Faith Hill
  • Martina McBride
  • Reba McEntire

Favorite Band, Duo, Group

  • Brooks & Dunn
  • Dixie Chicks
  • Lonestar

Favorite Album

  • Faith Hill (Breathe)
  • Alan Jackson (Under the Influence)
  • Toby Keith (How Do You Like Me Now)

Favorite New Artist

  • Alecia Elliott
  • Billy Gilman
  • Keith Urban

Adult Contemporary

Favorite Artist

  • Marc Anthony
  • Celine Dion
  • Faith Hill

Soundtrack

Favorite Soundtrack

  • Coyote Ugly
  • Mission: Impossible 2
  • Nutty Professor II: The Klumps.

Rap/Hip-Hop

Favorite Artist

  • DMX
  • Dr. Dre
  • Eminem

Latin Music

Favorite Artist

  • Marc Anthony
  • Enrique Iglesias
  • Shakira

Alternative Music

Favorite Artist

  • Creed
  • Limp Bizkit
  • Red Hot Chili Peppers

Award of Merit

  • Janet Jackson