The secret squirrels on the nominating committee have been accused over the years of having an East Coast bias. They have been accused of other things as well such as nominating artists and bands who were not true rock and rollers.

For instance, last year the rap group Grandmaster Flash made it ahead of some other notable rock and roll bands. Jazz icon Miles Davis also made it in because of the lobbying efforts of Quincy Jones.

Some of the others acts that made the cut this year include Leonard Cohen, the Ventures and The Dave Clark Five. Madonna could have bet her lucky stars that at least one of these musical artists wouldn’t have made it. But, just like that little ditty about Jack and Diana, for Madonna and Mellencamp life goes on even after the thrill of the nomination is gone.

Underwood sans underwear (Okay, I’m wearing my X-ray doggie goggles now) grabbed the erect trophies for Favorite Country Album, Favorite Country Female Artist and the text-in vote for Favorite Artist. Underwood may have been an underdog in the Grammys this year only to pull off two with her very first try, but the American Music Awards signify the former Idol as a true country powerhouse.

Daughtry didn’t even win on American Idol as he is way too cool to have gone all the way and would have been hurt by winning the whole enchilada. But, he has made a name for himself with his first album going platinum in just a few weeks and now kicking aside contenders at the AMA’s.

The AMA’s may have been an Idol-fest with kisses blowing left and right to Simon Fuller, but there was still room for Beyonce, Fergie and a few others to shine as well. Expect to see more Idols tackling the trophies in the months to come.