The American Music Awards finally got around to choosing an artist of the year, and the winner didn't even want the trophy.
Garth Brooks, saying there was no disrespect intended, told the audience Monday night that he didn't believe in the concept of picking an artist of the year, "So I'm going to leave it here."He then walked away, with the crowd cheering and the trophy still on the podium.
"I couldn't accept it, just out of the love of the fellow musicians. I think we're all one," Brooks said backstage.
Show spokesman Paul Shefrin said he did not know whether Brooks would accept the trophy when it is sent to him.
Earlier, Mariah Carey, the favorite female artist in soul-rhythm & blues, and pop-rock, offered sentiments similar to Brooks' in her acceptance speech: "This is so weird, the whole competition thing."
Brooks said Hootie & the Blowfish should have won artist of the year because people he spoke to in record stores credited the band with turning record sales around.
In addition to Brooks and Hootie, the other nominees for artist of the year were Boyz II Men, Green Day and TLC.
Hootie & the Blowfish - whose debut album, "Cracked Rear View," was 1995's biggest seller, selling 10 million copies - did win favorite new pop-rock artist.
Brooks had no problem accepting two other awards, for favorite country male artist, for the fifth straight year, and favorite country album, "Hits," boosting his career American Music Award total to 10.
The other big winner of the 23rd annual awards were the Eagles, who like Brooks, received three awards - favorite pop-rock album for "Hell Freezes Over," favorite pop-rock band award and favorite adult contemporary artist.
Only one band member showed up to accept. "Everybody's out of town doing different things," Timothy B. Schmit explained.
Boyz II Men was a double winner in the soul-R&B categories, taking the album trophy for "II" and the favorite group title.
Pearl Jam also scored twice as favorite artist in both the alternative and heavy metal-hard rock categories.
Michael Jackson did not show up to pick up the award for favorite male pop-rock artist, adding another trophy to the 18 he's collected.
Luther Vandross won favorite male soul R&B artist.
Alabama was once again the top country group, winning a 19th American Music Award. Reba McEntire was country's favorite female artist, her 13th award. Shania Twain captured the new country artist title.
Other winners were Coolio, as top rap-hip hop artist; Brandy, as new soul-R&B artist; and "The Lion King," for favorite soundtrack.
Tammy Wynette received the special Award of Merit, an honor for outstanding contributions to American musical entertainment.
The program was broadcast on ABC from the Shrine Auditorium, with comedians Jeff Foxworthy and Sinbad sharing host duties. Awards are based on a national survey of record buyers.
*****
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
List of music award winners
Winners of the 23rd Annual American Music Awards Monday night:
POP-ROCK
Male artist: Michael Jackson
Female artist: Mariah Carey
Band, duo or group: Eagles
Album: "Hell Freezes Over," Eagles
New artist: Hootie & The Blowfish
COUNTRY
Male artist: Garth Brooks
Female artist: Reba McEntire
Band, duo or group: Alabama
Album: "Hits," Garth Brooks
New artist: Shania Twain
SOUL-R&B
Male artist: Luther Vandross
Female artist: Mariah Carey
Band, duo or group: Boyz II Men
Album: "II," Boyz II Men
New artist: Brandy
OTHERS
Heavy metal/hard rock: Pearl Jam
Rap/hip hop: Coolio
Alternative: Pearl Jam
Adult contemporary: Eagles
Soundtrack: "The Lion King"
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Garth Brooks