Spears, Creed Compete at Awards Show

- LOS ANGELES (AP) - Country singer Faith Hill, the rock band Creed and soul singer Toni Braxton each won twice at the American Music Awards Monday, an honor decided by music fans.









Hill, nominated for four awards, won favorite country album for ``Breathe'' and favorite female country artist.









``Wow!'' she said. ``This is something else.'' She then made fellow country star and husband Tim McGraw burst into laughter when she added: ``I was going to wear my husband's underwear but it had a hole in it.









Creed was chosen favorite alternative music artist and their multi-platinum album, ``Human Clay,'' beat teen poppers 'N Sync and Britney Spears in the best pop album category. Each artist was snubbed by the Grammys in that category.









Toni Braxton won her third American Music Award for favorite soul album, after winning the same award in 1995 and 1997, and favorite female rhythm 'n' blues artist. She said it eased the pain after spraining her knee twice in rehearsal.









``Two awards for two sprains,'' she said backstage. ``I'm really happy.''









Destiny's Child, of ``Say My Name'' fame, was named favorite rhythm 'n' blues group. The Dixie Chicks were the favorite country group.









The belly button-baring count stood at six. Jennifer Lopez performed in a midriff-exposing outfit, host Britney Spears stripped off a pink gown in favor of skimpy two-piece.









The busy Spears, co-host with LL Cool J, revealed seven separate outfits in the show's first hour.









Unlike the Grammys, which are voted on by Recording Academy members, music fans determine the awards, making them a popularity contest. A polling group sent out 20,000 ballots to record buyers.









The rock band 3 Doors Down, who made the hit song, ``Kryptonite,'' was named favorite new artist in the pop category. Donnell Jones won the same honor in the rhythm 'n blues category. Country singer Billy Gilman won the award as a country artist, taking his first trophy before puberty.









Two artists who were largely idle last year won trophies: Kid Rock as favorite male pop artist and Celine Dion as favorite adult contemporary artist.









Veteran rapper Dr. Dre beat out his protege, Eminem, for favorite rap artist.









``I love the fact that I won,'' he said backstage. ``It means somebody's paying attention to my hard work, and that's exactly what it is, a lot of hard work.''









Janet Jackson was singled out for the special Award of Merit given each year for ``outstanding contributions to the musical entertainment of the American public.'' She was promised fans and new album and tour later this year.









Previous Award of Merit recipients include her brother, Michael Jackson, Ella Fitzgerald, Paul McCartney, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Billy Joel and Gloria Estefan.









Aerosmith also received a special International Artist Award.