The American Music Awards (AMAs) are a Dick Clark Production which occurs annually to recognize musicians who have had an exceptional year. In 2010, the nominations for the awards were announced on October 12, and a voting period opened for fans to select the winners.http://justjaredjr.buzznet.com/2010/10/12/demi-lovato-announces-ama-nominees/

Nominees for the American Music Awards are selected based on a formula which considers the artists' music sales, their prevalence on the TV and radio, Internet streaming and videos and their social media involvement. In 2010, the performers with the most nominations were Eminem and Lady Antebellum.http://www.kjoy.com/AMA-Nominees-2010/8345056 In 2009, Michael Jackson received five posthumous nominations. Lady Gaga joined him as the most nominated for the year.http://news.lalate.com/2009/11/22/amas-nominations-american-music-awards-nomiations/ The 2008 nominations were led by Alicia Keys with five. http://www.sohh.com/2008/10/alicia_keys_leads_2008_am.html

In 1973, Dick Clark created the American Music Awards after the Grammys decided to leave the ABC television network.http://www.last.fm/event/1741989+The+38th+Annual+American+Music+Awards Since that time, the AMAs have been held annually. ABC remains the host network for the awards show. In 1973, Roberta Flack took home the first award.http://www.chiff.com/pop-culture/american-music-awards.htm In 2009, Michael Jackson made history by receiving four AMAs after his death.http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-ama-awards,0,1954635.storyJackson co-hosted the first show with Donny Osmond.http://www.last.fm/event/1741989+The+38th+Annual+American+Music+Awards

After nominations are read, fans are allowed to vote to select the winner in each of a number of categories. The voting for 2010 marked the fourth year where fans were allowed to choose the winners. Voting is held via websites with winners chosen in the categories of Pop/Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Alternative, Adult Contemporary, Latin, Soundtracks and Contemporary Inspirational.http://abc.go.com/shows/american-music-awards/about-the-show

Winners will be noted as they are announced

• Artist of the Year
  • Justin Bieber -- WINNER
  • Ke$ha
  • Katy Perry
  • Lady Gaga
  • Eminem

• Breakthrough Artist Award
  • B.o.B
  • Justin Bieber -- WINNER
  • Taio Cruz
  • Jason Derulo
  • Ke$ha
  • Lady Antebellum
  • Travie McCoy
  • Mike Posner

Pop/Rock

• Favorite Male Artist
  • Justin Bieber -- WINNER
  • Eminem
  • Usher

Favorite Female Artist

• Ke$ha
• Lady Gaga -- WINNER
• Katy Perry

• Favorite Band, Duo or Group
  • Black Eyed Peas -- WINNER
  • Train
  • Lady Antebellum

• Favorite Album
  • My World 2.0 by Justin Bieber -- WINNER
  • Recovery by Eminem
  • Teenage Dream by Katy Perry

Country

• Favorite Male Artist
  • Jason Aldean
  • Luke Bryan
  • Brad Paisley -- WINNER

• Favorite Female Artist
  • Miranda Lambert
  • Taylor Swift -- WINNER
  • Carrie Underwood

• Favorite Band, Duo or Group
  • Rascal Flatts
  • Lady Antebellum -- WINNER
  • Zac Brown Band

• Favorite Album
  • Wide Open by Jason Aldean
  • Need You Now by Lady Antebellum
  • Play On by Carrie Underwood -- WINNER

Rap/Hip Hop

• Favorite Male Artist
  • B.o.B
  • Eminem -- WINNER
  • Drake

• Favorite Album
  • B.o.B. Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray by B.o.B
  • Thank Me Later by Drake
  • Recovery by Eminem -- WINNER

Soul/R&B

• Favorite Male Artist
  • Chris Brown
  • Trey Songz
  • Usher -- WINNER

• Favorite Female Artist
  • Sade
  • Alicia Keys
  • Rihanna -- WINNER

• Favorite Album
  • The Element of Freedom by Alicia Keys
  • Soldier of Love by Sade
  • Raymond v. Raymond by Usher -- WINNER

Soundtracks

• Favorite Soundtrack
  • Iron Man 2 by AC/DC
  • Glee: The Music, Volume 3 Showstoppers by Glee cast -- WINNER
  • The Twilight Saga: Eclipse by Various artists

Alternative

• Favorite Artist
  • Muse -- WINNER
  • Phoenix
  • Vampire Weekend

Adult

• Favorite Artist
  • Michael Buble -- WINNER
  • Lady Antebellum
  • Train

Latin

• Favorite Artist
  • Daddy Yankee
  • Enrique Iglesias
  • Shakira -- WINNER

Inspirational

• Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist
  • Casting Crowns
  • MercyMe -- WINNER
  • TobyMachttp://abc.go.com/shows/american-music-awards/nominees