LOS ANGELES, CA—Winners of the 37th annual American Music Awards (AMA's) were announced this evening to a sold out crowd, from the Nokia Theatre/LA Live. The show aired live on ABC at 8:00pm ET/ 7:00pm CT. Prior to the awards ceremony, there was a two-hour online red carpet show. The AMA Red Carpet Pre-Show set a new Ustream record for the largest red carpet webcast and farthest-reaching event on the leading internet broadcasting platform. The webcast achieved more than 3 million total views (Total viewers: 3.3 million / Total uniques: 2.1 million) during the 2 hour live event.

Produced by dick clark productions, The 2009 AMA's were produced by Larry Klein and executive produced by Orly Adelson, president of dick clark productions.



Highlights of the event included: Stellar live performances from Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez and an 8 minute opening medley by Janet Jackson featuring "Control," "What Have You Done for Me Lately," "Make Me," "Together Again" and more. The night also marked Whitney Houston's return to stage singing "I Didn't Know My Own Strength," Eminem and 50 Cent performing "Crack a Bottle" and the finale with Adam Lambert's first live television show since " American Idol."

Winners of the 37th Annual American Music Awards included Taylor Swift taking home 5 awards including Artist of the Year, Michael Jackson honored with 4 awards including Favorite Male Artist (Pop/Rock), Jay-Z sweeping the Rap / Hip Hop category with 2 awards, Green Day winning Favorite Artist (Alternative Rock Music) and more.

Music fans were able to vote for the T-Mobile "Breakthrough Artist" Award and selected Gloriana as this year's "Breakthrough Artist."

Winners were determined by online voting at amavote.com, the official voting location for the award show. Additional information about the show and performers can be found on ama.abc.com. Artists were honored in the categories of Pop/Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Alternative, Adult Contemporary, Latin and Contemporary Inspirational.

About the Voting

Initial nominees were selected by using ballots containing names compiled from data supplied by the music industry trade publication, Radio & Records and Nielsen Soundscan, which tracks retail music sales. The ballots were then sent to a national sampling of more than 15,000 people based among other things on what type of music they listen to, what they buy and how many albums they purchase per year. The top three vote getters in each category were determined to be the nominees for this year's American Music Awards (except in the Artist of the Year and T-Mobile Breakthrough categories which each have five Nominees). Winners were determined by online voting (votes will be collected from October 14 to November 7)

WINNERS FOR THE 2009 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS

POP or ROCK MUSIC

Favorite Male Artist

Michael Jackson

Favorite Female Artist

Taylor Swift

Favorite Band, Duo or Group

Black Eyed Peas

Favorite Album

Michael Jackson - "Number Ones"


COUNTRY MUSIC

Favorite Male Artist

Keith Urban

Favorite Female Artist

Taylor Swift

Favorite Band, Duo or Group

Rascal Flatts

Favorite Album

Taylor Swift - "Fearless"


RAP/HIP-HOP MUSIC

Favorite Male Artist

Jay-Z

Favorite Album

Jay-Z / Blueprint 3


SOUL/RHYTHM & BLUES MUSIC

Favorite Male Artist

Michael Jackson

Favorite Female Artist

Beyonce

Favorite Band, Duo or Group

Black Eyed Peas

Favorite Album

Michael Jackson - "Number Ones"


SOUNDTRACKS

Favorite Album

"Twilight" Soundtrack


ALTERNATIVE ROCK MUSIC

Favorite Artist

Green Day


ADULT CONTEMPORARY MUSIC

Favorite Artist

Taylor Swift


LATIN MUSIC

Favorite Artist

Aventura


CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL

Favorite Artist

Mary Mary


ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Taylor Swift - Country


T-MOBILE BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST

Country Breakthrough Artist - Gloriana


INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Whitney Houston