AMA picks

Here are my AMA picks in the categories I care about. It's a bogus award, they're out of it. But, they've got a few good acts up there, so it's worth a look, Sunday:

Rock/Pop:
Usher - - Here's a good example of why it's bogus. With all the great rock that came out his year, they structure the nominees & fuck with the categories so that it'll go to an r&b/rapper, who's already getting it in R&B. To me, Lenny is still the superior, not to mention more appropriate, artist, all tolled, but you're supposed to vote on the past year's output, right? Lenny didn't do much of note this year, so why not pick someone who did, like Maroon 5, who they put out to the hinterlands? They could have used the stupid Breakthrough category to help bands like Keane, Chevelle or Los Lonely Boys. They prefer instead to support the bigger names, who are more profitable for them. Don't get me wrong, Usher had a great year. He's an amazing artist and deserves success. I appreciate Usher in ways can't even get into here, believe me. But, in the next few months, it's gonna be one award after the next. His reward for propping up a dying industry. 90% of industry profits are from the very few top-selling albums, who can come in around the four million mark. And BTW, 90% of the losses they take to file-sharing are off those same songs. They are very, very focused on those top acts. They think those acts are companies, and that they are the VC's. If there were a viable indie level, I wouldn't have so much of an issue. We really need these mezzanine levels...hello...business opportunity. I'm gonna start looping on that mezzanine in records and venues... it's that important.
Avril (check out Toby Lightman instead)
Outkast
Confessions (again, rock???)

Soul/ R&B:
Usher
Beyonce (check out Joss Stone)
Musicology

Rap/Hip Hop:
Kanye West
Outkast
Speakerboxx

Alternative:
Jet - omits; Franz Ferdinand, Scissor Sisters, Hoobastank, Velvet Revolver, Keane, Chevelle

Breakthrough:
Maroon 5 - omits: Switchfoot, Yellowcard, Modest Mouse, Los Lonely Boys

Text-in
Outkast

Anyway, it's November, people. I know ABC needs ratings (sweeps), but, I haven't even taken a real look at 2004 yet. It's not even over. I mean, what are your cut-offs here? Let's all try to stick to the same calendar, it's too confusing.