Taylor Swift accepts the favorite country music female artist award at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles. [Matt Sayles/AP Photo]

For the second year, winners were determined by online voting. Prior to last year winners were selected in a poll of 20,000 music buyers. The program's producers expanded the vote to Internet users, hoping the more inclusive ballot would prove a remedy for slumping ratings. The change appears to have worked. Last year's show attracted 11.8 million viewers. That reflected a significant increase over the previous year's 10.9 million viewers.

The performance-heavy event spanned generations of performers. Disney starlet Miley Cyrus, turned 16 on Sunday. Former Eurythmics vocalist Annie Lennox, was presented with the lifetime achievement award.

Justin Timberlake handed the award to the the Scottish rocker.