American Idol had a huge presence at the star-studded American Music Awards last night. Both Chris Daughtry's band Daughtry and Carrie Underwood took home three of the prestigious statues! Here are the categories in which they won: Daughtry: Favorite Album in the Pop or Rock category Favorite Artist in the Adult Contemporary Music category Favorite Breakthrough Artist Carrie Underwood: Favorite Female Artist in the Country category Favorite Album in the Country category T-Mobile Text-In Award Both Carrie and Chris were up against some of the biggest names in the music industry, so it was quite a history-making evening. Americanidol.com would like to extend a huge congratulations to both of them! Take a look at our latest Q & A session with Carrie, as she candidly answers the questions from her fans, right from our site! Want to take a look back at Chris from season five? Check out his transformation gallery!

Between Mandisa and George Huff's joint Christmas performances, Kimberley Locke's holiday album, Mandisa's holiday EP, and Elliott's take on the Christmas classics, the "Idol" alumni sure know how to ring in the season! We've just gotten wind that season five's Patrick Hall will be added to the list, as he will be performing at the "Lighting of the Square" in his home state of Arkansas. As the NWA News states, "Mayor Bob Mc-Caslin will turn on the voltage for the city?Õ?s 'gazillion mega-kilowatts of light' to kick off the holiday season in Bentonville." The event will be held at 5:30 tonight on the Square. Check out this photo of Patrick performing back in season five!

Year after year, American Idol is what music and TV lovers everywhere turn to for great entertainment. Fortunately, we are being recognized for our consistent ability to please our viewers. American Idol has been nominated for "Favorite Competition/Reality Show" in the upcoming People's Choice Awards. Show your support--vote now!

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia announced today it has added Elliott Yamin and music legend Gloria Gaynor to this year's lineup for AnthemLIVE! Elliott and Gloria will perform during the event, which will feature tennis stars James Blake, Serena Williams, Mardy Fish and Tatiana Golovin. AnthemLIVE! will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007 at Old Dominion University's Ted Constant Convocation Center in Norfolk. Gloria will perform to kickoff the evening and will be followed by male and female singles tennis. Elliott will then perform before the event concludes with a doubles competition featuring all the tennis players. "We are truly pleased that these two performers have agreed to join us to help conquer this disease," said Tom Byrd, president, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia. "We look forward to a great night of entertainment, both music and tennis, with the added benefit of raising money for the fight against cancer." Since its inception, AnthemLIVE! has raised more than $2.2 million for cancer research, including more than $450,000 in 2006. This year's event will again benefit groundbreaking cancer research at Eastern Virginia Medical School, Virginia Commonwealth University's Massey Cancer Center and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Check out our exclusive interview with Elliott for his views on what it was like to release an album. Read our news blog for more info on Elliott's tour and holiday album!

A few years back, Ace Young was faced with the dilemma of choosing music or football for his path in life, and female fans everywhere are thankful for the choice he made! He became known on "Idol" not only for his great voice and unbeatable falsetto, but also for his handsome looks. He proved he was more than just a pretty face, however, as he finished in an impressive seventh place in season five. Having performed at local shopping malls and recreation centers since he was young, his success did not come as a huge surprise to his large family. Since his time on "Idol" and touring with his AI peers, Ace has taken a "slow and steady wins the race" approach to his career. It took him quite a while to commit to a record label, despite putting out his first single, "Scattered." The song found itself in the top 50 on Billboard's Hot Adult Contemporary chart, which bodes well for the debut album. In an article on realitytvworld.com back in January, it was noted that Ace explained to MTV News, "[A record deal would be] more about promotion and not someone saying, 'Can we have a cowbell through that song?' I don't want a major [label] touching me until the album is ready." Ace has since signed with S Curve Records (Virgin Records) to release his CD, which should be out by year's end. The record's genre is said to be "pop with a soulful R&B vibe." It will also feature collaborations with Diane Warren and Desmond Child, both of whom have worked with former "Idol" finalists in the past. To boot, he worked with KC from the popular '70's band KC and the Sunshine Band. What Ace has really enjoyed and has become well known for since his time on the show are his songwriting skills. He helped his season five peer and good buddy Chris Daughtry pen the chorus to the hit song "It's Not Over." He also co-wrote all the songs off this debut album with Diane Warren and Desmond Child. Ace has assembled a band, made up of former members of Dishwalla as well as Jewel's and Don Henley's bands. The group has been playing various dates nationwide. Despite all this success and even being named one of People Magazine's "Hottest Bachelors" in 2006, Ace has stayed true to what's most important to him. Since 1999, he has worked voluntarily in the Children's Hospital of Denver, entertaining hospital-bound patients every Christmas. He also founded a charity with his fan club members called "Highrollers with Heart." They've raised close to $80,000 for a children's hospital in Denver. His fellow American Idol alumni must have recognized his big heart as well, as he not only became known for being friends with Chris Daughtry, but he also formed close bonds with nearly everyone from that season. Happy Birthday to Ace Young, who was born on November 15, 1980! Check out this interview with Ace Young and Paris Bennett, just as they were about to embark on the Idols Live tour. Fans everywhere will love this photo of Ace performing during season five!

Idol alumni Mandisa and George Huff are teaming up to make this Christmas one to remember for the residents of Salinas, California. They will be headlining the third annual "Christmas on Main Street" concert from Dec. 7 through Dec. 9 and then Dec.9 and Dec. 14-Dec. 16 at the First Presbyterian Church in Salinas. As reported in the Salinas Californian, this 4-year-old event will feature an impressive 25-piece professional orchestra and band as well as state-of-the-art sound and lighting. "It's an inspirational show," said church director John Griffing to the Californian. "It's a great place for people to come - people who don't typically feel comfortable going to a church but want an uplifting Christmas event." The church's own vocalists won't perform, leaving the entire show to Mandisa and George Huff, who performed at the church's variety show last year. The buzz about this event has been so huge that organizers are expecting upwards of 10,000 people to attend, 3,000 more than last year. Mandisa is also releasing a holiday EP--find out more!

(Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush (2nd L), former American Idol contestant Melinda Doolittle (C) and first lady Laura Bush gather with members of the World Children's Choir following a performance at the finale of a ceremony honoring America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth, at the White House in Washington November 13, 2007. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)

(Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush (L), former American Idol contestant Melinda Doolittle (C) and first lady Laura Bush gather with members of the World Children's Choir following a performance at the finale of a ceremony honoring America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth, at the White House in Washington November 13, 2007. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)

(Reuters) - Former American Idol contestant Melinda Doolittle sings at a ceremony honoring America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth, at the White House in Washington November 13, 2007. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)

(Reuters) - American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle (C) sings with the World Children's Choir at the finale of a ceremony honoring America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth, at the White House in Washington November 13, 2007. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)