LOS ANGELES — Country singer Faith Hill won her first three American Music Awards Monday, leading a field that also included her husband, Tim McGraw, R&B siren Toni Braxton and rapper Dr. Dre.
Among the nominees to go home empty-handed was teen sensation Britney Spears, who co-hosted the ceremony with rapper L.L. Cool J and was in contention for two prizes.
Another two-time loser was rapper Eminem, who earlier this week received four nominations for next month's Grammy Awards. Latin singer Marc Anthony was shut out of three categories.
Hill, who led the pack with four nods, won the prizes for favorite album ("Breathe") and favorite female artist, both in the country field; and favorite female artist in the pop/rock category.
"Wow! This is something else," Hill told the audience at the Shrine Auditorium. "I love to sing, I really do. Thank you for giving me the opportunity night after night."
McGraw was named favorite male country artist. Hill noted backstage that he had beaten her a few years ago for favorite new country artist.
"This is payback," she said.
Hill was prevented from making a clean sweep by an absent Celine Dion, who won the favorite adult contemporary artist category.
Eminem was also a no-show, but Spears was forced to smile sweetly throughout the evening as Creed's "Human Clay" bested her for favorite album, and then Hill grabbed the favorite female prize, both in the pop/rock category.
Rock band Creed were among the multiple winners, also being named as favorite alternative artist.
"Thank you, guys, so much," singer Scott Stapp said. "We're so blessed. It's all because of you."
Braxton won favorite female artist and favorite album ("Heat"), both in the soul/rhythm & blues category.
Dr. Dre, who has five Grammy nominations, was named rap/hip-hop artist of the year.
"I love the fact that I won," said Dr. Dre. "It means somebody's paying attention to my hard work."
Kid Rock, who was named favorite male pop/rock artist, thanked some of the acts he has worked with over the years, including rap combo Run-DMC, rock band Aerosmith, and country veterans George Jones and Hank Williams Jr.
Other winners included female trio Destiny's Child for favorite band, duo or group and Donnell Jones for favorite new artist, both in the soul/rhythm & blues category.
The other new artist awards went to rock band 3 Doors Down and 12-year-old country singer Billy Gilman.
Winners were determined by a poll of about 20,000 U.S. record buyers, with nominees compiled from retail sales and radio airplay data.