The American Music Awards are the only major pop music awards voted on by music fans. The awards will be telecast live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC Television.
My predictions are simply that...predictions. It will be up to the music fans to choose the actual winners. My predicted winner in each category is in bold type. I have included comments on each nominee. I am making predictions only in the Pop/Rock category. Check the full listing of nominations to see who is up for awards in every category.
Male Artist
- Nick Lachey - Nick seems to have come through his divorce from Jessica Simpson with flying colors. His music about his emotional pain was heartfelt and convincing for many fans. I look for Nick Lachey to take this award home.
- Sean Paul - It still seems like Sean Paul's music is more popular than he is personally. "Temperature" was one of THE songs of they year, but Sean Paul maintained a low profile while the song topped radio playlists.
- Kanye West - This award could belong to Kanye if he chose his public awards a bit more carefully. It is hard to see Kanye winning this award after his untimely MTV Europe Awards tirade.
Female Artist
- Mariah Carey - 2005 was definitely Mariah's year, and she failed to win this award. I don't see anything in 2006 that would raise her profile with pop music fans beyond what it was last year.
- Kelly Clarkson - Kelly Clarkson seems to have taken this nomination on just the tail end of singles from her Breakaway album. She had a strong 2006 concert tour, but most fans are simply waiting for the next act in Clarkson's career.
- Nelly Furtado - This time last year no one would have predicted Nelly Furtado would be vying for national awards in 2006. However, her collaboration with Timbaland on Loose vaulted Furtado into the top ranks of pop divas. I look for her to be a popular winner in this category.
Band, Duo, Or Group
- Nickelback - I look for Nickelback to finally receive some long-awaited awards acclaim this year. Their album All the Right Reasons has been a top seller throughout the year with "Far Away" as big of a hit as "Photograph" was in 2005.
- Pussycat Dolls - The Pussycat Dolls are popular and could steal this award away from Nickelback, but I think they are still searching for artistic legitimacy.
- Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium was a triumph, but do you still remember the hook for "Dani California?"
New Artist
- Chamillionaire - We have not yet seen where Chamillionaire goes beyond the breakthrough hit "Ridin'."
- Pussycat Dolls - Pussycat Dolls are strong competitors in this category as well, but it seems like they have been around a lot longer than just a year.
- Carrie Underwood - Underwood is one of the most popular of American Idol winners. She carted off major awards at the CMAs recently, and I look for her to take home accolades at the AMAs as well.
Album
- Nickelback - All the Right Reasons - Nickelback's music is the sound of rock music for 2006. The album is a huge one with the biggest hits of Nickelback's career, but I expect it to lose this award by a hair.
- Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium - This album inspires more respect than love.
- Soundtrack - High School Musical - It's the biggest selling album of the year so far, and who doesn't want to see that whole energetic cast onstage accepting the award?
