Backstage at the AMAs

January 9 -- Creed Steals Pop Crown

Teen pop got the short end of the stick Monday night — and one of the reasons was Creed, whose Human Clay took the Favorite Pop/Rock Album prize from 'N Sync and Britney Spears.

"We never thought we would ever, ever, ever be in a category with 'N Sync or Britney Spears," singer Scott Stapp told the press backstage. "And that's not anything negative towards those two artists — it's just, we're a rock band."

But he added that its pop success has an upside. "Our songs have opened so many doors for other up-and-coming rock bands. … Years ago, our kind of music never got played on Adult Contemporary or Top 40 [radio], and now they are, and other bands are getting a shot. But we never thought … we're just a rock band from Florida."

Backstreet Boys Dismiss Rivalry

The Backstreet Boys won the battle this time. While they and rivals 'N Sync took home an award, the Boys grabbed the more prestigious Favorite Band, Duo, or Group prize, while 'N Sync won Internet Artist of the Year. The gracious quintet chose not to rub it in backstage, however.

"It's not really a rivalry," said Nick Carter. "I went to a football game with ['N Sync member] Chris [Kirkpatrick] — a Tampa Bay, St. Louis football game. … There is no rivalry anymore."

"Like we've said many times," added Kevin Richardson. "It's just, in the beginning, the way it all started out, our management company, how it all came to be, who we used to be with, who they used to be with, that whole thing, that was hard to deal with."

Brian McKnight 's Hoop Dreams

R&B singer Brian McKnight, who took the trophy for Favorite Male R&B/Soul Artist, was so certain he wasn't going to win, he tried to get out of appearing at the awards show so he could play basketball.

"I'm missing my playoff game right now," he said. "I was telling them, 'I'm not going to win, let me just leave. That way I can be on time and shoot around and play' — and now I can't even make it for half time."