The eighth Annual American Music Awards were held on January 30, 1981.
Winners and nominees
Subcategory Winner NomineesPop/Rock Categories Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist Kenny Rogers Billy Joel Bob Seger Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist Barbra Streisand Olivia Newton-John Linda Ronstadt Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group Eagles Queen Rolling Stones Favorite Pop/Rock Album Glass Houses – Billy Joel Off the Wall – Michael Jackson Against the Wind – Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band Favorite Pop/Rock Song "Another One Bites the Dust" - Queen "Another Brick in the Wall" - Pink Floyd "Upside Down" - Diana RossSoul/R&B Categories Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist Michael Jackson George Benson Teddy Pendergrass Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist Diana Ross Chaka Khan Stephanie Mills Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group Earth Wind and Fire Kool & the Gang The O'Jays Favorite Soul/R&B Album Off the Wall – Michael Jackson Teddy – Teddy Pendergrass Diana – Diana Ross Favorite Soul/R&B Song "Upside Down" - Diana Ross "Give Me the Night" - George Benson "One in a Million You" - Larry GrahamCountry Categories Favorite Country Male Artist Kenny Rogers Willie Nelson Charley Pride Favorite Country Female Artist Barbara Mandrell Crystal Gayle Anne Murray Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group The Statler Brothers Charlie Daniels Band The Oak Ridge Boys Favorite Country Album The Gambler – Kenny Rogers Music Man – Waylon Jennings Ten Years of Gold – Kenny Rogers Favorite Country Song "Coward of the County" - Kenny Rogers "If You Ever Change Your Mind" - Crystal Gayle "Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer" - Kenny Rogers & Kim CarnesMeritChuck Berry
References http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1981/amas.htm