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No, really. Let’s look at the nominees for this year’s awards, which will air Nov. 23. And remember that each category only needs to be filled out with three nominees. Not a big number, especially in a year with so much music, right? Well, first we have to excuse the preponderance of albums that came out more than a year ago–like Kanye West’s Graduation (released Sept. 11, 2007) and Rascal Flatts’ Still Feels Good (released Sept. 25, 2007)–on the list, what with there being no “awards season” for records the way there is for movies. Then we have to overlook the idea of Flo Rida being anyone’s favorite anything so long after “Low” finally let go of the No. 1 spot on the pop charts. And sure, the Best Soundtrack category, which has one album full of reconstituted Abba songs (Mamma Mia!) vying against an album that’s pretty much Stars That Are Supposed To Be On 33 On 45 (Alvin And The Chipmunks, which features sped-up versions of “Bad Day” and “Funkytown) and the Juno soundtrack, was probably tough to fill out. But a Garth Brooks greatest-hits record nominated in the Favorite Country Album category? Really, American Music Awards? I know country’s had a rough year, but this is basically the equivalent of waving a white flag and telling the world, “hey, popular music is totally irrelevant! No reason to watch our show!” Sigh. Full list of nominees after the jump.
FAVORITE MALE POP/ROCK ARTIST
Chris Brown
Kid Rock
Usher
FAVORITE FEMALE POP/ROCK ARTIST
Mariah Carey
Alicia Keys
Rihanna
FAVORITE POP/ROCK BAND, DUO OR GROUP
Coldplay
Eagles
Daughtry
FAVORITE POP/ROCK ALBUM
Coldplay, Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends
Eagles, Long Road Out of Eden
Alicia Keys, As I Am
FAVORITE MALE COUNTRY ARTIST
Garth Brooks
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
FAVORITE FEMALE COUNTRY ARTIST
Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
FAVORITE COUNTRY BAND, DUO OR GROUP
Brooks & Dunn
Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
FAVORITE COUNTRY ALBUM
Garth Brooks, The Ultimate Hits
Rascal Flatts, Still Feels Good
Carrie Underwood, Carnival Ride
FAVORITE MALE RAP/HIP-HOP ARTIST
Flo Rida
Lil Wayne
Kanye West
FAVORITE RAP/HIP-HOP BAND, DUO OR GROUP
G Unit
Three 6 Mafia
Wu-Tang Clan
FAVORITE RAP/HIP-HOP ALBUM
Jay-Z, American Gangster
Lil Wayne, Tha Carter III
Kayne West, Graduation
FAVORITE MALE SOUL/RHYTHM & BLUES ARTIST
Chris Brown
J. Holiday
Usher
FAVORITE FEMALE SOUL/RHYTHM & BLUES ARTIST
Mary J. Blige
Alicia Keys
Rihanna
FAVORITE SOUL/RHYTHM & BLUES ALBUM
Mary J. Blige, Growing Pains
Mariah Carey, E=MC2
Alicia Keys, As I Am
FAVORITE SOUNDTRACK ALBUM
Alvin And The Chipmunks
Juno
Mamma Mia!
FAVORITE ALTERNATIVE ROCK ARTIST
Coldplay
Foo Fighters
Linkin Park
FAVORITE ADULT CONTEMPORARY ARTIST
Daughtry
Eagles
Jordin Sparks
FAVORITE LATIN ARTIST
Enrique Iglesias
Juanes
Wisin Y Yandel
FAVORITE CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL ARTIST
Casting Crowns
MercyMe
Third Day
T-MOBILE BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST
Colbie Caillat
Flo Rida
Jonas Brothers
Paramore
The-Dream
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Lil Wayne
Chris Brown
Alicia Keys
Eagles
Coldplay
American Music Awards Nominees Announced [Marketwatch]
Hey, as long as they’re being consistent with the same 12-month period from year to year, what’s the problem? If the biggest, most obvious nominees were released at the beginning of the timeframe, so be it. At least that’s more honest than the VMA nominees this year being nothing from longer ago than May (except the Britney pity votes).
Were the Eagles really that big this year/last year? I know they tour and sell out to all the baby boomers but in terms of mainstream media/sales, etc. really? people care?
Um…the common denominator is the Eagles?! Eagles up for artist of the year? In 1976 perhaps – I honestly didn’t know they were up to anything this year. Colplay vs. Daughtry vs. Eagles?! What is that? Garth Brooks’ hits compilation for best country album? Tisk tisk, American Music Awards, endless shame. You’re making my Canadian Junos look okay after all. Good lord, there’s a recession going on, indeed.
@DJorn: yeah, this was the case last year too.
@I’m Crushing Your Head: I think her policy is, if the Jonas Brothers win in their category, nobody gets hurt.
I stand with that.
Is there really no best female rapper category? Why don’t they just call the male one “best solo rapper” and quietly nominate all dudes? I don’t think anyone would protest, it’s just the AMAs.
Wow. The Grammys are officially no longer the most irrelevant awards show.
Also, I hope Jordin Sparks loses so she doesn’t preach about virginity again. According to her, we’re all sluts! /slut pride