HILL 3, MCGRAW 1…
AND THAT’S A FINAL

The cute country couple of Faith Hill and Tim McGraw dominated the American Music Awards, taking home four of those clear spiky things. Well, more to the point, Hill dominated the awards, handed out at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles last evening. Hill took home three AMAs, leaving Hubby McGraw with one.

Hill was named favorite female artist and favorite female country artist. Her album "Breathe" was also named best country album. McGraw was named favorite male country artist.

Other big winners at last nights show included rock band Creed, who not only were chosen favorite alternative music artist but also notably beat out NSYNC and Britney Spears—who also co-hosted the event with LL Cool J—in the pop album category. NSYNC did grab the Internet artist of the year award, which was determined by online votes.

Soul singer Toni Braxton grabbed two—what would ya call ‘em, Ammies? AMAs?—one for favorite soul album (an award she won in '95 and '97 as well) and favorite female R&B artist.

Dr. Dre beat out Eminem for favorite rap artist, Backstreet Boys beat out NSYNC for favorite pop group and Brian McKnight beat out D'Angelo and Sisqo for favorite male soul artist.

Janet Jackson received the special Award of Merit, given each year for "outstanding contributions to the musical entertainment of the American public."

Other notable winners included 3 Doors Down (favorite new pop artist), Billy Gilman (favorite new country artist), Destiny's Child (favorite R&B group), Celine Dion (favorite adult contemporary artist) and Dixie Chicks (favorite country group).

Unlike the Grammy Awards, which are voted on by members of the Recording Academy, the American Music Awards are voted on by the public, making them a different kind of popularity contest. A polling company sent out 20,000 ballots to record buyers across the country.