Jennifer Lopez

BMI songwriter/artists dominated the 35th American Music Awards, held November 18 in Los Angeles, taking home 67 percent of awards across a wide variety of musical genres, from rock and rap to country, Latin and gospel. American Idol alum and multi-platinum recording artist Daughtry led the way, winning three awards, including Favorite Album (Rock or Pop) for Daughtry, Favorite Artist (Adult Contemporary), and Favorite Breakthrough Artist. The 2007 AMAs, which were broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre, marked the first year that winners were determined by online voting.

T.I. and Carrie Underwood each earned two awards. T.I. won Favorite Male Artist (Rap/Hip-Hop) and Favorite Album for T.I. vs. T.I.P. (Rap/Hip-Hop), while Underwood garnered the Favorite Female Artist award (Country) and Favorite Album award (Country) for Some Hearts.

BMI’s songwriters dominated the country category with Tim McGraw picking up the Favorite Male Artist award and Rascal Flatts winning the Favorite Band, Duo or Group award.

Additional BMI AMA winners include Rihanna (Favorite Female Artist, Soul/Rhythm & Blues), Linkin Park (Favorite Artist, Alternative Rock), Nickelback (Favorite Band, Duo or Group, Pop or Rock), Jennifer Lopez (Favorite Latin Music Artist) and Casting Crowns (Favorite Artist, Contemporary Inspirational).

Just wanted to stop and take a minute to wish you and your families the happiest of holidays. Thanks for all of your support — you make every day so much fun!

Be safe — don’t drink and drive like all the train wrecks we make fun of!

XOXO,
Tracy

If Dr. Phil would like to keep his street cred, then he’d better watch what he says.

The usually tough-as-nails doc has crucified plenty of parents on his talk show, for their lax parenting skills, but Dr. Phil says that’s not the situation in the case of Lynne Spears. “We know the Spears family, particularly the parents,” he told People.com. “An asset that Britney and Jamie Lynn both have is a great and dedicated mother.” Dr. Phil says, despite Jamie Lynn’s pregnancy at sixteen, and Britney’s, well Britney’s over-all debauchery, their mom has “her feet squarely and solidly on the ground.”

“They’re a very strong, close-knit family,” says Dr. Phil’s wife Robin, “They’re relying on each other. I talked to Lynne yesterday and she said they’re turning to prayer, asked that I pray for them. That’s how they’re going to get through it.”

Come on! I would totally expect the McGraws to rip Lynne a new one. What a buzz kill.

Do not adjust your computer screen. That is not Jessica Simpson at the Dallas Cowboys’ game yesterday. It’s just some crazy fan, hoping to distract the quarterback. He certainly got my attention.

Anyway, whether or not Jessica was actually there, she decided not to be seen at her boyfriend, Tony Romo‘s, game against the Carolina Panthers. Tony’s team may have benefited from the lack of star power in the stands, as the Cowboys won the game, 20-13. Tony did say that his girl might have actually been there, you just didn’t see her. “I know she saw all of that tonight,” Tony said after the game, about the mockery fans were making of the starlet. “She was at the game tonight, so I don’t know.”

If Jess was there, she stayed out of sight, since she was blamed for Tony’s terrible performance last week. And, by the way, the quarterback was not happy about Jess feeling the wrath of his disappointed fans. “I don’t care how the perception is of me,” Tony told the NFL network, “But it hurts me when it hurts people that are close to me.”

Aww, sticking up for his girl — what a guy. Merry Christmas, Jess.

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden just keep the giving going, as the couple hosted a holiday party for children and families from L.A. homeless programs. This is the second fabulous gathering the expecting couple have coordinated with their new charity, the Richie-Madden Children’s Foundation, as last month they surprised 100 less-fortunate moms with an over-the-top baby shower.

For their holiday she-bang, more than 200 children and their family members enjoyed a winter wonderland-themed spectacular, held at the Paramount Studios lot. The families were treated to a festival featuring face-painting, clowns, holiday music and, of course, Santa Claus.

“It was a no-brainer for us to pull this party together for them for the holidays,” Nicole said. “We want to do much more to address the homeless issue, especially where it puts children at risk. But for now, we can at least try to help them have a merry Christmas by giving them teddy bears and getting them fitted for shoes. That’s something we can do right now, today.”

The true meaning of the Christmas spirit. Love them!

We know Britney Spears loves the paparazzi, but this is just getting ridiculous.

Splash News Online is reporting that Britney had some sort of crazy date with one of her favorite photogs, after he heard that Brit “liked” him. Adnan (his name) handed Britney his card and probably broke his lens when the singer actually called him. The pair met up and were later spotted holding hands in a supermarket!

After their little shopping spree, Britney and her man headed to the Peninsula Hotel, where they stayed for hours. When Us Weekly contacted the pap for some juice, he denied anything romantic was going on. “We are just friends. She was just a little upset, pretty much about everything.”

So she called a member of the paparazzi to talk? Girl is drinking from one big ‘ol cup of crazy.

First Kiefer Sutherland spends his birthday in jail, now Lost‘s Michelle Rodriguez will join the 24 star in the new series I just made up (hey, there’s nothing else on TV) called “Actors Who Spend Christmas in the Slammer.”

Michelle, who was sentenced to 180 days in jail, after violating probation in her DUI case, began her stay on Sunday. The actress was booked late in the afternoon, at the Lynwood facility in California.

You know, where all the other starlets, Lindsay, Paris, Nicole, all did their time.

Unlike the other girls, though, Michelle was forbidden to be released early by the judge, but sources say the sheriff may have no choice but to override that order due to jail overcrowding. She is also eligible to get out early for good behavior, which is granted by state law.

I say keep in her in there until St. Patrick’s Day — then let her out so she can get her drink on.

I’m kidding.