Louder Than The Music

Gospel duo Mary Mary were announced as the winners of the 'Contemporary Inspirational' award at the 2009 American Music Awards ceremony held at the NOKIA Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday night (22nd November), which was broadcast live on TV.

The American Music Awards are on a par with the Grammys as one of the biggest and most prestigious music award ceremonies in the USA. Whilst the Grammys are awarded based on votes by members of the entertainment industry, the American Music Awards are determined by a poll of music buyers, and as a result are more of a representative of public opinion and popularity.

Also nominated in the 'Contemporary Inspirational' category were Jeremy Camp and Brandon Heath. This year's AMAs were dominated by Taylor Swift, who picked up five awards, and Michael Jackson who received four posthumous awards.