The fan-friendly awards fest--which celebrates everything from best bellybutton to sexiest video--handed four trophies to the group (none of which involved bellybuttons or sex, natch), including Must-Have Album for its disc Everyday, Favorite Group, Coolest Fan Website and the "Damn I Wish I Wrote That!" award (aka Song of the Year) for "The Space Between," the band's collaboration with popster producer Glen Ballard.
The group beat out The Beatles' 1 compilation for best album, which seemed odd even to Matthews--especially just days after the death of George Harrison.
"I feel a little bit ridiculous," said Matthews, joined by DMB violinist Boyd Tinsley at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. "I've been listening to that No. 1 album by the Beatles, and it kicks the crap out of our album. But it's still kind of you to vote [for us]."
Backstage, he added: "I don't think there was anyone who affected me more musically than the Beatles."
He wasn't the only one to pay his respects. Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora opened the live show with a rendition of Harrison's Beatle hit, "Here Comes the Sun."
The pair then added, "We'll miss you, George."
Otherwise, VH1's second attempt at rounding up music's big stars for another awards show came off much smoother than the chaotic first go-around--though it seemed equally frivolous and unimportant.
Still, where else can you find Britney Spears receiving a truly deserved honor like the "Navel Academy" prize for best bellybutton?
Other big winners Sunday included British sensitive rock group Coldplay, who picked up awards for Best Kept Secret and the "Big in Japan" honor, which gives props to international success. Moulin Rouge divas Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya and Pink scored for both Favorite Video and sexiest video (aka "Is It Hot in Here or Is It Just My Video?") for "Lady Marmalade."
Mope-rockers Staind nabbed the "Your Song Kicked Ass but Was Played Too Damn Much" prize, for its unavoidable tune, the now ironically titled "It's Been Awhile." And R&B sensation Alicia Keys won the "Welcome to the Big Time" award honoring new artists.
Hosted by Will & Grace star Eric McCormack, the show featured performances by No Doubt, Creed, Nelly Furtado and Mary J. Blige--who sang "Family Affair" and "No More Drama" before joining Sting for "(If You Love Somebody) Set Them Free." Mick Jagger and Lenny Kravitz also teamed up for a show-closing performance of Jagger's new song, "God Gave Me Everything."
The My VH1 Award nominees and winners are chosen by an undisclosed number of fans who clicked on their top picks via VH1.com. Here's a complete list of the night's big winners:
MUST-HAVE ALBUM: Dave Matthews Band, Everyday YOUR SONG KICKED ASS BUT WAS PLAYED TOO DAMN MUCH: Staind, "It's Been Awhile" DAMN I WISH I WROTE THAT! (SONG OF THE YEAR): Dave Matthews Band, "The Space Between" FAVORITE MALE ARTIST: Lenny Kravitz FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST: Gwen Stefani FAVORITE GROUP: Dave Matthews Band IS IT HOT IN HERE OR IS IT JUST MY VIDEO? Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya and Pink, "Lady Marmalade" BEST KEPT SECRET: Coldplay HOTTEST LIVE SHOW: Bon Jovi WELCOME TO THE BIG TIME: Alicia Keys NAVEL ACADEMY (BEST BELLYBUTTON APPEARANCE): Britney Spears FAVORITE VIDEO: Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya and Pink, "Lady Marmalade" BEST ACTOR IN A VIDEO: Christopher Walken, Fatboy Slim's "Weapon of Choice" THERE'S NO "I" IN TEAM (BEST COLLABORATION): All-Star Tribute, "What's Going On" COOLEST FAN WEBSITE: Dave Matthews Band, www.nancies.org BIG IN JAPAN (INTERNATIONAL): Coldplay