American Music Awards facts for kids
Quick facts for kids American Music Awards |
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Logo as of 2019
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| Country | United States |
| First awarded | February 19, 1974 |
| Television coverage | |
| Network | ABC (1974–2022) CBS (2024) |
The American Music Awards (AMAs) is a big yearly music awards show in the United States. It has been put on by Dick Clark Productions since 1974.
From 1973 to 2005, music experts chose the winners and nominees. They looked at how well songs and albums sold and how often they were played. Since 2006, fans like you get to vote for the winners online! The show first aired on ABC. For 2024, CBS will show the awards.
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Contents
How the AMAs Started
The AMAs were created by Dick Clark in 1973. He wanted to make a new music awards show. This happened after the Grammy Awards moved their show to Nashville, Tennessee.
In 2014, a TV network called Telemundo decided to make a Spanish version. They launched the Latin American Music Awards in 2015.
From 1973 to 2005, music industry experts chose the winners. They looked at how many songs were sold or played on the radio. Since 2006, fans can vote for their favorite artists online. The nominees are still chosen based on sales, radio play, and how popular artists are on social media.
The cool award statue given to winners is made by a company called Society Awards.
Hosts and History of the Show
The very first AMAs in 1974 had three hosts: Helen Reddy, Roger Miller, and Smokey Robinson. Helen Reddy was also the first artist to win an AMA for Favorite Pop/Rock Female artist.
For many years, the AMAs had several hosts. Each host would represent a different type of music. For example, Glen Campbell often hosted the country music parts. In more recent years, there has usually been just one host for the whole show.
In 1991, Keenen Ivory Wayans became the first actor from Hollywood to host the AMAs.
The AMAs used to be held in January each year. But starting in 2003, they moved the show to November. This was done so the AMAs wouldn't compete with other big awards shows, like the Golden Globe Awards or the Academy Awards.
From 2009 to 2012, the show didn't have a single host. Instead, different famous people would introduce the awards. But then, Pitbull hosted in 2013 and 2014. Jennifer Lopez hosted in 2015, and Gigi Hadid and Jay Pharoah hosted in 2016. Tracee Ellis Ross hosted in 2017 and 2018, and Ciara hosted in 2019.
In March 2024, it was announced that CBS would be the new network to show the American Music Awards.
Ceremonies
| Year | Order | Date of ceremony | Host(s) | Venue | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 1 | February 19, 1974 | Roger Miller, Helen Reddy, Smokey Robinson | Earl Carroll Theatre | ABC |
| 1975 | 2 | February 18, 1975 | Roy Clark, Helen Reddy, Sly Stone | Santa Monica Civic Auditorium | |
| 1976 | 3 | January 31, 1976 | Glen Campbell, Aretha Franklin, Olivia Newton-John | ||
| 1977 | 4 | January 31, 1977 | Glen Campbell, Helen Reddy, Lou Rawls | ||
| 1978 | 5 | January 16, 1978 | Glen Campbell, Natalie Cole, David Soul | ||
| 1979 | 6 | January 12, 1979 | Glen Campbell, Helen Reddy, Donna Summer | ||
| 1980 | 7 | January 18, 1980 | Elton John, Toni Tennille, Natalie Cole | ABC Studios | |
| 1981 | 8 | January 30, 1981 | Mac Davis, Crystal Gayle, Teddy Pendergrass | ||
| 1982 | 9 | January 25, 1982 | Glen Campbell, Sheena Easton, Donna Summer | Shrine Auditorium | |
| 1983 | 10 | January 17, 1983 | Mac Davis, Aretha Franklin, Melissa Manchester | ||
| 1984 | 11 | January 16, 1984 | Lionel Richie | ||
| 1985 | 12 | January 28, 1985 | |||
| 1986 | 13 | January 27, 1986 | Diana Ross | ||
| 1987 | 14 | January 26, 1987 | |||
| 1988 | 15 | January 25, 1988 | Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb, Mick Fleetwood, Robin Gibb and Whitney Houston | ||
| 1989 | 16 | January 30, 1989 | Anita Baker, Debbie Gibson, Kenny Rogers and Rod Stewart | ||
| 1990 | 17 | January 22, 1990 | Alice Cooper, Anita Baker, Gloria Estefan, Naomi Judd and Wynonna Judd | ||
| 1991 | 18 | January 28, 1991 | Keenen Ivory Wayans | ||
| 1992 | 19 | January 27, 1992 | MC Hammer, Reba McEntire | ||
| 1993 | 20 | January 25, 1993 | Bobby Brown, Gloria Estefan and Wynonna Judd | ||
| 1994 | 21 | February 7, 1994 | Meat Loaf, Reba McEntire and Will Smith | ||
| 1995 | 22 | January 30, 1995 | Queen Latifah, Tom Jones, Lorrie Morgan | ||
| 1996 | 23 | January 29, 1996 | Sinbad | ||
| 1997 | 24 | January 27, 1997 | |||
| 1998 | 25 | January 26, 1998 | Drew Carey | ||
| 1999 | 26 | January 11, 1999 | Brandy & Melissa Joan Hart | ||
| 2000 | 27 | January 17, 2000 | Norm Macdonald | ||
| 2001 | 28 | January 8, 2001 | Britney Spears and LL Cool J | ||
| 2002 | 29 | January 9, 2002 | Jenny McCarthy and Sean Combs | ||
| 2003 (Jan) | 30 | January 13, 2003 | Jack Osbourne, Kelly Osbourne, Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Osbourne | ||
| 2003 (Nov) | 31 | November 16, 2003 | Jimmy Kimmel | ||
| 2004 | 32 | November 14, 2004 | |||
| 2005 | 33 | November 22, 2005 | Cedric the Entertainer | ||
| 2006 | 34 | November 21, 2006 | Jimmy Kimmel | ||
| 2007 | 35 | November 18, 2007 | Peacock Theater | ||
| 2008 | 36 | November 23, 2008 | |||
| 2009 | 37 | November 22, 2009 | No host | ||
| 2010 | 38 | November 21, 2010 | |||
| 2011 | 39 | November 20, 2011 | |||
| 2012 | 40 | November 18, 2012 | |||
| 2013 | 41 | November 24, 2013 | Pitbull | ||
| 2014 | 42 | November 23, 2014 | |||
| 2015 | 43 | November 22, 2015 | Jennifer Lopez | ||
| 2016 | 44 | November 20, 2016 | Gigi Hadid and Jay Pharoah | ||
| 2017 | 45 | November 19, 2017 | Tracee Ellis Ross | ||
| 2018 | 46 | October 9, 2018 | |||
| 2019 | 47 | November 24, 2019 | Ciara | ||
| 2020 | 48 | November 22, 2020 | Taraji P. Henson | ||
| 2021 | 49 | November 21, 2021 | Cardi B | ||
| 2022 | 50 | November 20, 2022 | Wayne Brady | ||
| 2024 | 51 | October 6, 2024 | TBA | CBS |
Award Categories
The AMAs give out awards in many different music types. Here are some of the awards given out today:
Current Award Categories
- Artist of the Year
- New Artist of the Year
- Collaboration of the Year
- Favorite Music Video
- Favorite Touring Artist
- Favorite Pop Male Artist
- Favorite Pop Female Artist
- Favorite Pop Duo or Group
- Favorite Pop Album
- Favorite Pop Song
- Favorite R&B Male Artist
- Favorite R&B Female Artist
- Favorite R&B Album
- Favorite R&B Song
- Favorite Country Male Artist
- Favorite Country Female Artist
- Favorite Country Duo or Group
- Favorite Country Album
- Favorite Country Song
- Favorite Hip-Hop Artist
- Favorite Hip-Hop Album
- Favorite Hip-Hop Song
- Favorite Latin Artist
- Favorite Latin Duo or Group
- Favorite Latin Album
- Favorite Latin Song
- Favorite Rock Artist
- Favorite Rock Song
- Favorite Rock Album
- Favorite Inspirational Artist
- Favorite Gospel Artist
- Favorite Dance/Electronic Artist
- Favorite Afrobeats Artist
- Favorite K-Pop Artist
- Favorite Soundtrack
Discontinued Awards
- Single of the Year (2013–2015)
- Fan's Choice Award (2003)
- Favorite Social Artist (2018–2020)
- Favorite Trending Song (2021)
- Favorite Pop/Rock Video (1984–1988)
- Favorite Pop/Rock Male Video Artist (1985–1987)
- Favorite Pop/Rock Female Video Artist (1985–1987)
- Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group Video Artist (1985–1987)
- Favorite Pop/Rock New Artist (1989–Jan 2003)
- Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group (1974–Nov 2003, 2005–2006, 2009)
- Favorite Soul/R&B Video (1984–1988)
- Favorite Soul/R&B Male Video Artist (1985–1987)
- Favorite Soul/R&B Female Video Artist (1985–1987)
- Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group Video Artist (1985–1987)
- Favorite Soul/R&B New Artist (1989–Jan 2003)
- Favorite Country Video (1984–1988)
- Favorite Country Male Video Artist (1985–1987)
- Favorite Country Female Video Artist (1985–1987)
- Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group Video Artist (1985–1987)
- Favorite Country New Artist (1989–Jan 2003)
- Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Band/Duo/Group (2003–2008)
- Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop New Artist (1990–1994)
- Favorite Disco Male Artist (1979)
- Favorite Disco Female Artist (1979)
- Favorite Disco Band/Duo/Group (1979)
- Favorite Disco Album (1979)
- Favorite Disco Song (1979)
- Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist (1989–1997)
- Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Album (1989–1992)
- Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock New Artist (1990–1993)
- Favorite Dance Artist (1990–1992)
- Favorite Dance Song (1990–1992)
- Favorite Dance New Artist (1990–1992)
- Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist (1992–2020)
- Favorite Adult Contemporary Album (1992–1994)
- Favorite Adult Contemporary New Artist (1992–1994)
Most Wins
Taylor Swift holds the record for winning the most American Music Awards, with 40 awards!
The male artist with the most AMAs is Michael Jackson, who has won 26 awards. The group with the most AMAs is Alabama, with 18 awards.
| Rank | Artist | Number of awards |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taylor Swift | 40 |
| 2 | Michael Jackson | 26 |
| 3 | Whitney Houston | 22 |
| 4 | Kenny Rogers | 19 |
| 5 | Alabama | 18 |
| Justin Bieber | ||
| 6 | Carrie Underwood | 17 |
| Garth Brooks | ||
| 7 | Reba McEntire | 14 |
| 8 | Rihanna | 13 |
| 9 | BTS | 12 |
| 10 | Beyoncé | 11 |
| Bruno Mars | ||
| Janet Jackson | ||
| Stevie Wonder |
Most Wins in a Single Ceremony
Michael Jackson (in 1984) and Whitney Houston (in 1994) hold the record for winning the most AMAs in one year. They each won 8 awards, including a special "Award of Merit."
- Michael Jackson 8 (1984)
- Whitney Houston 8 (1994)
Most Wins by Category
Here are the artists who have won the most awards in specific categories:
- Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift (7 wins)
- Collaboration of the Year: Justin Bieber (3 wins)
- Song of the Year: Kenny Rogers (5 wins)
- Favorite Music Video: Taylor Swift (3 wins)
- Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock: Justin Bieber (4 wins)
- Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock: Taylor Swift (6 wins)
- Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock: BTS (4 wins)
- Favorite Album – Pop/Rock: Taylor Swift (4 wins)
- Favorite Male Artist – Country: Garth Brooks (8 wins)
- Favorite Female Artist – Country: Reba McEntire (10 wins)
- Favorite Duo or Group – Country: Alabama (13 wins)
- Favorite Album – Country: Carrie Underwood (6 wins)
- Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop: Nicki Minaj (5 wins)
- Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop: Cardi B (3 wins)
- Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop: Nicki Minaj (3 wins)
- Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B: Luther Vandross (7 wins)
- Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B: Beyoncé, Rihanna (7 wins each)
- Favorite Album – Soul/R&B: Michael Jackson (4 wins)
- Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock: Linkin Park (6 wins)
- Favorite Artist – Adult Contemporary: Celine Dion (4 wins)
- Favorite Artist – Latin Music: Enrique Iglesias (7 wins)
- Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational: Casting Crowns (4 wins)
- Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music: Marshmello (3 wins)
Special Awards
The AMAs also give out special awards for amazing achievements in music.
Award of Merit
This award has been given to 32 artists. The most recent winner was Sting in 2016.
International Artist Award of Excellence
This award is for artists whose music is popular all over the world. It's only given to truly special artists. Seven artists have received it:
- Michael Jackson (1993)
- Rod Stewart (1994)
- Led Zeppelin (1995)
- Bee Gees (1997)
- Aerosmith (2001)
- Beyoncé (2007)
- Whitney Houston (2009)
Icon Award
The Icon Award honors an artist whose work has had a huge impact on pop music around the globe.
- Rihanna (2013)
- Lionel Richie (2022)
Dick Clark Award for Excellence
This award started in 2014. It's given to an artist who does something truly amazing or creates a landmark work. It celebrates the passion of Dick Clark, who created the AMAs.
- Taylor Swift (2014)
Award of Achievement
This award recognizes great achievements in music.
- Michael Jackson (1989)
- Prince (1990)
- Mariah Carey (2000 and 2008)
- Katy Perry (2011)
Lifetime Achievement Award
This award celebrates an artist's entire career and lasting impact on music.
- Diana Ross (2017)
Artist of the Decade
This award honors the top artist of a specific ten-year period.
- 1990s: Garth Brooks (2000)
- 2010s: Taylor Swift (2019)
In 2000, the AMAs also held a poll to find the Artist of the Decade for earlier years. The winners were Elvis Presley (1950s), The Beatles (1960s), Stevie Wonder (1970s), and Michael Jackson (1980s).
Artist of the Century
Michael Jackson won the Artist of the Century award in 2002.
Images for kids
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Taylor Swift won Artist of the Year in 2022.
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Dove Cameron won New Artist of the Year in 2022.
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Elton John, who won Collaboration of the Year with Dua Lipa.
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Dua Lipa, who won Collaboration of the Year with Elton John.
See Also
In Spanish: Premios American Music para niños
- Latin American Music Awards
