RMA

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Tom Petty and Heartbreakers Honored

By CHRISTINA ALMEIDA
.c The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers received the Legend Award on Monday at the 2003 Radio Music Awards.

Stevie Nicks presented the award to the group in front of thousands of cheering fans at the Aladdin hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

``He not only started out as my greatest musical influence, but today he's still my greatest musical influence,'' Nicks said.

The group performed two songs, ``I'm Crying'' and ``Runnin' Down a Dream.'' Petty thanked radio stations for taking a chance on an ``unknown band.''

Beyonce opened the show with her sultry single, ``Baby Boy,'' which the diva belted out surrounded by a ring of fire.

Other superstars included Jewel, Avril Lavigne and Michelle Branch. Nelly, P. Diddy and Murphy Lee hit the stage and sung ``Shake Ya Tailfeather.''

The hit won best driving song.

The two-hour show broadcast live on NBC also honored Michael Jackson, who took home the Humanitarian Award.

``Thank you for your love, your support, all that you've done,'' Jackson said.

Casey Kasem received the Radio Icon Award.

Justin Timberlake bagged the Artist of the Year/Top 40 Radio Award, while Tim McGraw won the Artist of the Year Award in the country category.

``I thought I was just coming here to present an award,'' Timberlake said. ``I get to take one home.''

The show was hosted by Brooke Burns of NBC's ``Dog Eat Dog'' and ``American Idol'' host Ryan Seacrest.

The nominees in each category were based on radio's top-playing songs. Radio program and music directors nationwide voted on the winners.

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It was great to see Stevie on stage with TP and The Heartbreakers, presenting them with the award, but the most poignant comment came from Tom:

"This is a radio award. I really want to thank everybody in radio throughout our career. All those disc jockeys and programmers that took a chance on an unknown band."

Hats off to Tom, The Heartbreakers, and Stevie for DECADES of excellent rock and roll!



Joe