AS IF WE HADN'T ALREADY COME TO DOUBT THE VERACITY OF POPULAR VOTES IN THE UNITED STATES: The American Music Awards had a text-in vote (how very 1999, eh?) which meant Kenny Chesney - who sounds like a character from Novelty Island rather than a proper musician - wound up taking a prize home. The even more oddly titled "Merit Award" went to Bon Jovi - we're not sure the implication, that all the other prizes were awarded regardless of merit, was the intention of the organisers. Anyway, here are the big winners:

Pop-Rock:

Female Artist: Sheryl Crow.
Band, Duo or Group: OutKast.
Album: "Confessions," Usher.

Soul-R&B:

Male Artist: Usher.
Female Artist: Alicia Keys.
Album: "Confessions," Usher.

Country:

Male Artist: Toby Keith.
Band, Duo or Group: Brooks & Dunn.
Album: "Shock'n Y'All," Toby Keith.

Rap-Hip Hop:

Male Artist: Jay-Z.
Band, Duo or Group: OutKast.
Album: "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below," OutKast.

Latin Music:

Artist: Marc Anthony.

Alternative Music:

Artist: Linkin Park.

Contemporary Inspirational:

Artist: MercyMe.

Award of Merit:

Bon Jovi

T-Mobile Text-In Award (voted by public)

Kenny Chesney

To be honest, if Linkin Park is the alternative, we think we'll stick the original, thanks all the same.