Clarkson, Black Eyed Peas, Rascal Flatts receive double honors from the American Music Awards

LOS ANGELES (AP) The Black Eyed Peas, Kelly Clarkson, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rascal Flatts were double-winners Tuesday at the 2006 American Music Awards. <br/><br/>The Black Eyed Peas were named favorite

Tuesday, November 21st 2006, 9:57 pm

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) The Black Eyed Peas, Kelly Clarkson, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rascal Flatts were double-winners Tuesday at the 2006 American Music Awards.

The Black Eyed Peas were named favorite group in the rap/hip hop and soul/rhythm & blues categories. Clarkson captured trophies for pop/rock female and adult contemporary artist, categories presented before the televised presentations began in the performance-filled show.

Red Hot Chili Peppers were named favorite alternative artist and favorite pop/rock group. Rascal Flatts won favorite country group and the T-Mobile Text-In award, which is chosen by fans.

Blige accepted the female soul/rhythm & blues artist award from surprise presenter Britney Spears.

The newly single Spears looked sleek in a knee-length cream-colored frock and long blond hair.

Oscar winner Jamie Foxx was named favorite male soul/rhythm & blues artist.

``I'm like a rookie in this music thing,'' he said. ``This means a lot more than you think, man.''

Foxx wore a white tuxedo and sat behind a grand piano to perform ``Wish U Were Here'' from his 2005 album, ``Unpredictable.''

Nickelback took home the trophy for pop/rock album. Dancehall singer Sean Paul was named favorite male artist in the category.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers accepted their awards via satellite from London, with bass player Flea beat-boxing as lead singer Anthony Kiedis thanked ``the American people.'' The Black Eyed Peas also accepted their awards from abroad, thanking fans via satellite from Costa Rica.

Among country honors, favorite female artist went to Faith Hill and Tim McGraw's ``Greatest Hits Volume 2'' was favorite album. Country singer and American Idol Carrie Underwood was named favorite new breakthrough artist.

Eminem was favorite male rap/hip-hop artist. Shakira won favorite Latin artist and Kirk Franklin captured the award for contemporary inspirational music.

``I know that a lot of people that say that they're Christians _ you know, we don't always represent, and we don't always live it and we do sometimes some very stupid things, and you know we're not doing a good job,'' said Franklin, wearing blue jeans with a black velvet tuxedo jacket. ``I want to make sure that when you see my life that it's a life that I'm gonna be proud of.''

Talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel kicked off the three-hour ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium, with a skit that placed Spears' ex, Kevin Federline, into a wooden crate dumped into the ocean. Kimmel cracked that Federline was the world's first ``no-hit wonder.''

Beyonce began the show, belting out her single ``Irreplaceable'' while vamping around the stage in a sparkly sequined minidress. The Pussycat Dolls also chose sequins for their performance, while Nelly Furtado opted for a skin-tight white dress and stick-straight hair.

Gwen Stefani made a stylish return to the music scene, performing the single ``Wind It Up'' from her forthcoming album, ``The Sweet Escape.'' The new mom, wearing a skimpy sequined shift and a shoulder-length platinum bob, yodeled and rapped convincingly throughout the tune.

Not to be outdone, rapper Jay-Z stepped out of retirement and back into the spotlight, accompanied by scantily clad dancers as he performed the single ``Show Me What You Got'' from his new record, ``Kingdom Come.''

Lionel Richie made a festive return to the American Music Awards. Introduced by his diminutive daughter, Nicole Richie, the former Commodore performed a medley that included his '80s party anthem, ``All Night Long.''

Barry Manilow performed a medley of favorites from his latest collection, ``The Greatest Songs of the Sixties.''

Some awards were announced off camera before the broadcast presentations.

The American Music Awards honor the best in pop/rock, country, soul/rhythm & blues, rap/hip hop, Latin, alternative, adult contemporary and contemporary inspirational music. Nominees were chosen based on record sales and winners were selected by a survey of about 20,000 listeners.