The 23rd Annual American Music Awards were held on January 29, 1996, at the Shrine Auditorium, in Los Angeles, California. The awards recognized the most popular artists and albums from the year 1995.
The ceremony was remembered by country singer-songwriter Garth Brooks refusing to accept the Favorite Artist of the Year Award.
Performances Artist(s) Song(s) Mariah Carey "Fantasy" Luther Vandross "The Impossible Dream" Shania Twain "(If You're Not in It for Love) I'm Outta Here!" Reba McEntire "Please Come to Boston" The Smashing Pumpkins "1979" Brandy "Baby" Neil Diamond "Can Anybody Hear Me" Lionel Richie "Don't Wanna Lose You" LL Cool J "Mama Said Knock You Out""Hey Lover" Garth Brooks "The Change"
Winners and nominees
Subcategory Winner NomineesArtist of the Year Artist of the Year Garth Brooks (Refused)TLC (Accepted) Boyz II Men Green Day Hootie & the Blowfish Pop/Rock Category Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist Michael Jackson Elton John Seal Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist Mariah Carey Melissa Etheridge Alanis Morissette Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group Eagles Boyz II Men Hootie & the Blowfish Favorite Pop/Rock Album Hell Freezes Over – Eagles II – Boyz II Men Cracked Rear View – Hootie & the Blowfish Favorite Pop/Rock New Artist Hootie & the Blowfish Blues Traveler Alanis MorissetteSoul/R&B Category Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist Luther Vandross Michael Jackson Barry White Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist Mariah Carey Anita Baker Brandy Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group Boyz II Men Jodeci TLC Favorite Soul/R&B Album II – Boyz II Men My Life – Mary J. Blige CrazySexyCool – TLC Favorite Soul/R&B New Artist Brandy Monica Soul for RealCountry Category Favorite Country Male Artist Garth Brooks Alan Jackson George Strait Favorite Country Female Artist Reba McEntire Mary Chapin Carpenter Shania Twain Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group Alabama BlackHawk Brooks & Dunn Favorite Country Album The Hits – Garth Brooks Waitin' on Sundown – Brooks & Dunn The Woman in Me – Shania Twain Favorite Country New Artist Shania Twain Rhett Akins Ty HerndonAdult Contemporary Category Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist Eagles Hootie & the Blowfish Michael JacksonAlternative Category Favorite Alternative Artist Pearl Jam Green Day Nine Inch NailsHeavy Metal/Hard Rock Category Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist Pearl Jam Green Day Van HalenRap/Hip-Hop Category Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist Coolio Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Naughty by NatureSoundtrack Category Favorite Soundtrack The Lion King Dangerous Minds Forrest GumpMeritTammy Wynette
References http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1996/amas.htm