LOS ANGELES: Country crossover star TAYLOR SWIFT overshadowed late MICHAEL JACKSON at the American Music Awards yesterday, winning five prizes, including artist of the year.

Jackson ended up with four awards. He and Swift went head-to-head in the artist of the year race, the final prize.

Swift, 19, was also named favourite female artist in the pop/rock and country categories, and favourite adult-contemporary artist. Her 2008 album Fearless, was named favourite country album.

The King of Pop was named favourite male artist in the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories, while his 2003 hits collection Number Ones was named favourite album in both. His brother Jermaine, accompanied by sons Jeremy, Jaafar and Jermajesty, accepted the award.

Rapper EMINEM, glam-pop singer LADY GAGA, rock band Kings of Leon and jailed rapper T.I. were snubbed.

The Black Eyed Peas were named favourite group in the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories. Jay-Z won favourite male artist and favourite album in the rap/hip-hop categories. His wife BEYONCE was named favourite female artist in the soul/R&B category.

Punk rock trio Green Day won the favourite alternative artist. Rascal Flatts won favourite country group for the fourth year.

The show featured performances by American Idol runner-up ADAM LAMBERT and JENNIFER LOPEZ.

l Jackson's physician Dr CONRAD MURRAY was expected to return to work at his Armstrong Medical Clinic, Houston, yesterday for the first time since the pop star's death. He has been the focus of a homicide investigation in Los Angeles since telling police he gave Jackson a powerful operating room anaesthetic to help him sleep. He has not been charged with a crime.

l A casino in the Chinese gambling haven of Macau will open Asia's first Michael Jackson shrine after its owners bought his white rhinestone glove for $350,000 at a US auction. It will be put up in the lobby of the casino-resort Ponte 16. It also snared nine other Jackson items, which will be housed in the 'MJ Gallery'.