Ayala has defined Norteño music with the signature songs and definitive instrumental stylings that have made him a superstar on both sides of the Rio Grande. After more than 100 albums spanning close to four-and-a-half decades and countless awards, Ayala’s legacy is a sound heard across cultures and borders that echoes with experience and empathy.

Shown backstage after the show are: (l-r) BMI’s Marissa Lopez, BMI songwriter Antonio Zamora, Ramón Ayala, and BMI’s Delia Orjuela.

Openers, Univision Music Group’s Duela, which includes Jose Luis Ayala, Ramon Ayala’s nephew, rose to prominence in late 1990s and is another popular Norteño music group.

(l-r) BMI’s Delia Orjuela, Duelo member Oscar Ivan and BMI’s Marissa Lopez.

Shakira	Julieta Venegas	Calle 13

The Colombian pop sensation collected five nominations in all, including Record of the Year, Best Short Form Music Video and Song of the Year -- a songwriting award -- for "La Tortura," as well as Album of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Album for Fijacion Oral Vol. 1. The mega-selling Spanish-language CD, which took home a Grammy for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album earlier this year, also earned a Best Engineered Album nod for Gustavo Celis, who is himself up for three Latin Grammys.

Ricky Martin	Gustavo Celis

Mexican singer/songwriter Julieta Venegas (SGAE) came away with a total of four nominations and will compete against Shakira in the Record of the Year and Best Short Form Music Video categories with her song "Me Voy," and for Album of the Year with Sal y Limon, which is also up for Best Alternative Album.

Richie Ray & Bobbie Cruz	Cesar Camargo Mariano

Puerto Rican reggaeton duo Calle 13, made up of half-brothers Eduardo Jose Cabra and Rene Perez, won nominations for Best New Artist and Best Urban Music Album for their self-titled CD; they picked up a third nomination for Best Short Form Music Video for their song "Atrevete te te."

Taking home two nominations apiece were In�s Gaviria, Mauricio Guerrero, Luis F. Ochoa and Caf� Tacuba, who joins Venegas in the fight for the Best Alternative Album crown.

Other BMI songwriters and artists who made the Latin Grammy nominees list include Paquito D'Rivera, Pepe Aguilar, Humberto Gatica, Los Hor�scopos De Durango, Gustavo Santaolalla, Wisin y Yandel, Don Omar, A.B. Quintanilla III y Los Kumbia Kings, Graciela Beltr�n and Kike Santander, to name a few.

Latin pop singer Ricky Martin will be honored the night before the Latin Grammy ceremony (on Nov. 1) as the Latin Recording Academy's Person of the Year during a special star-studded tribute dinner and concert at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers. A portion of the evening's proceeds will benefit Martin's charitable efforts.

Also in the spotlight are Cesar Camargo Mariano and Richie Ray & Bobbie Cruz, who will each receive the 2006 Latin Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award at a special ceremony to be held Nov. 1 at New York's historical Rainbow Room.

The 7th Annual Latin Grammy Awards will be broadcast live on the Spanish-language Univision Network from 8-11 p.m. ET/PT.

BMI's 2006 Latin Grammy Nominees:

Pepe Aguilar
Ramon Ayala y Sus Bravos Del Norte
Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizarraga
Ana Bárbara
Belanova
Graciela Beltrán
The Black Eyed Peas
Café De Los Maestros
Café Tacuba
Calle 13
Michel Camilo
Hector Castillo
Gustavo Celis
Ciclón
Edgar Cortazar
Ernesto Cortazar
Javier Diaz
DJ Kane
Paquito D'Rivera
John M. Falcone
Humberto Gatica
Javier Garza
Inés Gaviria
Gilberto Gil
Jimmy González y Grupo Mazz
Mauricio Guerrero
Los Horóscopos De Durango
India
Melina León y Los Tri-O
Ivan Lins
Las 3 Divas
Limi-T 21
Little Joe y La Familia
Cachorro López
Freddie Martinez, Sr.
Tony Maserati
Lester Mendez
Motel
Luis F. Ochoa
Don Omar
Bernando Ossa
Eddie Palmieri
Chichi Peralta
Freddy Piñero, Jr.
Polbo
Carlos Ponce
Pesado
A.B. Quintanilla III y Los Kumbia Kings
Lupillo Rivera
Kike Santander
Gustavo Santaolalla
Jovino Santos Neto
Lalo Schifrin
Servando y Florentino
Joel Someillan
Shakira
Thalia
Los Tigres Del Norte
René L. Toledo
Bebo Valdés
Julieta Venegas (SGAE)
Jason Villaroman
Wisin y Yandel
Marcos Witt

LIFETIME ACHIEVMENT AWARDS
Cesar Camargo Mariano
Richie Ray & Bobbie Cruz]]> 2006-10-04T05:00:01-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/334659 Artists, Ayala, Ramon, Banda Recodo, Brown, James, Estefan, Emilio, Guerra, Juan Luis, Hayes, Isaac, Intocable, Juanes, Los Tigres del Norte, Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Miguel, Luis, Parton, Dolly, Rivera, Lupillo, Santana, Carlos, Shakira, Simon, Paul, Wilson, Brian, Winwood, Steve en español

Multiple Grammy Award-winning merengue artist Juan Luis Guerra will be honored as a BMI Icon at the music copyright organization's 13th annual Latin Awards. The ceremony, which honors the songwriters and publishers of the most played BMI Latin songs on U.S. radio and television from the past year, will be held April 7 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York, the first time the awards will be held in that city.

The Icon designation is given to a legendary BMI songwriter who has had a "unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers." Guerra joins a distinguished list that includes last year's Icon honoree Carlos Santana, as well as James Brown, Brian Wilson, Isaac Hayes, Steve Winwood, Paul Simon and Dolly Parton, among others.

A native of the Dominican Republic, Juan Luis Guerra is largely responsible for the rebirth of merengue and the popularization of bachata music around the world. His diverse repertoire includes such Latin chart-toppers as "Ojalá que Llueva Café," "Bachata Rosa," "El Niagara en Bicicleta," "Viviré" and "Mi PC," as well as his most recent #1 hit "Para Tí" and the 2005 Latin Grammy winning song "Las Avispas."

Guerra, who blends traditional tropical music, merengue rhythms and powerful lyrics into his own unique sound, has enjoyed great success as both a recording artist and a songwriter for more than 20 years. His songs have been recorded by such renowned international Latin stars as Luis Miguel, Emmanuel and others.

With a list of accolades that includes six Grammys and 12 BMI Latin Awards, Guerra received the "Spirit of Hope" honor at Billboard's 2005 Latin Music Awards in recognition of his philanthropic organization, Fundacion 440, a charitable foundation that provides medical assistance to children and adults in the Dominican Republic.

In addition to the Icon tribute, a Latin Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Publisher of the Year will be announced during the evening. Previous honorees include Shakira, Estéfano, Gloria & Emilio Estefan, Juanes, Luis Miguel, Ramon Ayala, Intocable, Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Los Tigres del Norte, Banda Recodo and Lupillo Rivera.

Held in a different venue each year, the BMI Latin Awards ceremony has also been staged in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, San Antonio and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The BMI Latin Awards recognize the songwriters and publishers of the most played Latin songs on U.S. radio and television from the company's repertoire of more than 6.5 million musical works from around the world. The Latin Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Publisher of the Year will be announced during the evening. In addition, the BMI Icon honor will be given to a creator of Latin music for their "unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers."

Past Latin Award winners include last year's BMI Icon honoree Carlos Santana, as well as Shakira, Estéfano, Gloria & Emilio Estefan, Juanes, Luis Miguel, Juan Luis Guerra, Ramon Ayala, Intocable, Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Los Tigres del Norte, Banda Recodo and Lupillo Rivera. The ceremony has previously been staged in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, San Antonio and Puerto Rico.

In announcing the move to New York City, Diane J. Almodovar, BMI Assistant Vice President, Latin Music, commented, "New York is the cultural center for music and entertainment of all genres, and Latin music is an essential part of that. There is a rich and diverse history of Latin cultures in New York and it emanates through the music that is created and supported there. From Dominicans to Puerto Ricans to Colombians to Mexicans and beyond, the music that pulsates through the city represents the diversity, passion and command of Latino music and culture. We have moved our Latin Awards every year to fully embrace the diversity of the many musical regions in the U.S., and New York is the obvious choice for 2006. We look forward to having Latin music take over 'la Gran Manzana'."

Mariah Carey	Kanye West	John Legend

Mariah Carey's multi-platinum comeback album, The Emancipation of Mimi, and its smash single "We Belong Together," helped the pop singer score three of the most coveted Grammy nominations: Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Record of the Year. The hit ballad also picked up mentions for Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, while Mimi added Best Contemporary R&B Album to Carey's haul.

Presenters for the 48th Annual Grammy Awards nominations included BMI songwriter/artists John Legend, CeCe Winans, Mariah Carey, Nickelback's Chad Kroeger and Patti LaBelle. Photo by S. Lovekin/WireImage

Rapper Kanye West continued his red hot streak, also earning nominations in the Album and Record of the Year categories with his sophomore release Late Registration and the hit "Gold Digger," respectively. He will compete against himself for the Album of the Year title as a producer on Carey's disc. As a songwriter, West will battle for the Best Rap Song crown with his "Diamonds from Sierra Leone," as well as Best R&B Song as a co-writer on the Alicia Keys track "Unbreakable."

Black Eyed Peas	Brooks & Dunn

Soul singer John Legend is up for Best New Artist, Best R&B Album for his debut Get Lifted, and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Song of the Year for "Ordinary People," which he also co-wrote. Legend joins his mentor Kanye West and rapper Common on the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration ticket with "They Say."

Casting Crowns	Common

Coming in with six nominations was Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas who, as a songwriter, has a shot at Song of the Year and Best R&B Song as co-writer of Legend's "Ordinary People" and Best Rap Song for the Peas' hit "Don't Phunk with My Heart." The band is also up for Best Rap and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

Death Cab for Cutie	Foo Fighters

In addition to Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, Common earned three other mentions, including Best Rap Album for Be. Four nods also went to Foo Fighters, Gorillaz, Billy Childs and BMI producer/songwriters the Neptunes, who have production credits on two Album of the Year nominees -- Carey's The Emancipation of Mimi and Gwen Stefani's Love. Angel. Music. Baby.

The Game	Gorillaz	John Williams

Earning three nominations apiece were Sheryl Crow, with Best Female Pop Vocal Performance ("Good is Good"), Best Pop Vocal Album (Wildflower) and Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for the single "Building Bridges," featuring Brooks & Dunn and Vince Gill; Eminem (Best Rap Solo Performance, Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group and Best Rap Album); and film composer John Williams, up for Best Score for Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, as well as for Best Instrumental Composition for both "Anakin's Betrayal" (from Revenge of the Sith) and "The Ferry Scene" (from the War of the Worlds soundtrack).

Maroon 5	Norah Jones	Sheryl Crow

Double nominees included rappers The Game and T.I., songwriter Marcus Hummon, singer Norah Jones and gospel diva CeCe Winans.

Other BMI songwriters and artists collecting Grammy nominations were Christina Aguilera, Dallas Austin, Casting Crowns, Eric Clapton (PRS), Death Cab for Cutie, Paquito D'Rivera, Danny Elfman, Fall Out Boy, Osvaldo Golijov, Dave Holland Big Band, Intocable, Keane (PRS), Maroon 5, Sugarland, Ying Yang Twins, and BMI Icons Charlie Daniels and Brian Wilson.

Sugarland		T.I.

The 48th Annual Grammy Awards will be held in Los Angeles on February 8.

BMI's 2006 Grammy Award Nominees:

8 NOMINATIONS
Mariah Carey
John Legend
Kanye West

6 NOMINATIONS
William Adams

4 NOMINATIONS
Billy Childs
Common
Foo Fighters
Gorillaz (PRS)
The Neptunes

3 NOMINATIONS
Yolanda Adams
The Black Eyed Peas
Sheryl Crow
De La Soul
Eminem
Herbie Hancock
Faith Hill
Alison Krauss & Union Station
John Williams

2 NOMINATIONS
Bobby Boyd
Brooks & Dunn
Andrew Coleman
Andrew Dawson
Dixie Chicks
The Game
Michael Giacchino
Jeff Hanna
Marcus Hummon
Norah Jones
Delbert McClinton
Donnie McClurkin
Joel Moss
Willie Nelson
Al Schmitt
Fat Man Scoop
T.I.
The White Stripes
CeCe Winans

MORE NOMINEES
Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra with Arturo O'Farrill
Christina Aguilera
Trey Anastasio
Audio Adrenaline
Audioslave
John August
Dallas Austin
Ramon Ayala y Sus Bravos Del Norte
Marcia Ball
Ray Barretto
Steve Berkowitz
Big & Rich
Terence Blanchard
Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones
Blue Highway
Printz Board
William Bolcom
Peter Boyer
Solomon Burke
Burning Spear (PRS)
Sam Bush
Gary Calamar
Caribbean Jazz Project featuring Dave Samuels Orishas (SACEM)
Kurt Carr
Casting Crowns
Christopher Cerf
Steven Curtis Chapman
Cherryholmes
The Chieftains (IMRO)
Willy Chirino
Eric Clapton (PRS)
Dorinda Clark-Cole
Conjunto Progreso
Ry Cooder
Stewart Copeland
The Crabb Family
Robert Cray
Bill Cunliffe
Rivers Cuomo
Daft Punk (PRS)
Charlie Daniels
Day of Fire
Death Cab for Cutie
Deep Dish
Mos Def
Jack De Johnette
The Del McCoury Band
Ani DiFranco
Jerry Douglas
Dave Douglas
Paquito D'Rivera
John Du Prez (PRS)
Jerry Duplessis
Nokie Edwards
Danny Elfman
Ahmet Ertegun
Bill Evans
Fall Out Boy
Sammy Figueroa
Béla Fleck
Floetry
David Foster
Jamie Foxx
Aretha Franklin
Kirk Franklin
Carlos Franzetti
Larry Gatlin
Joachim Garraud (SACEM)
Gilberto Gil
Vince Gill
Jimmie Dale Gilmore
Osvaldo Golijov
The Grascals
Grits
Buddy Guy
Merle Haggard
John Hammond
Raiatea Helm
Dave Holland Big Band
Israel Houghton
Van Hunt
Eric Idle (PRS)
Intocable
Jamiroquai (PRS)
Jars of Clay
The Jazz Chamber Trio
Rodney Jerkins
Eric Johnson
George Jones
The Jordanaires
Ledward Ka'apana
Keane (PRS)
John P. Kee
Garison Keillor
Toby Keith
R. Kelly
B.B. King
Kitaro
Kraftwerk (GEMA)
Ladysmith Black Mambazo (SAMRO)
Las 3 Divas
La Secta Allstar
The Last Poets
La Tropa F
Donald Lawrence
Ricky Lewis
The Light Crust Doughboys
Lil Wayne
Harold Lily
Aaron Lindsey
Linkin Park
Little Joe
Los Lonely Boys
Los Pleneros de la 21
Andre Lyon
Maroon 5
Joeworn Martin
Martina McBride
Delbert McClinton
Vicky McGehee
Tim McGraw
Sarah McLachlan (SOCAN)
Meat Beat Manifesto
Pat Metheny Group
Luis Miguel
Mingus Big Band
Ministry
Keb Mo
Molotov
Rick Moranis (SOCAN)
Mudvayne
Martha Munizzi
Walter Murphy
Meshell Ndegeocello
North Mississippi Allstars
The Oak Ridge Boys
Claus Ogerman (GEMA)
Walter Ostanek (SOCAN)
George Pajon, Jr.
Eddie Palmieri
John Prine
Queens of the Stone Age
Rascal Flatts
Joshua Redman Elastic Band
Sonny Rollins
The Royal Jesters
Eddie Santiago
Marvin Sapp
Seal (PRS)
José Serebrier
Shakira
Wayne Shorter Quartet
Ron Sluga
Omar Sosa
Luciana Souza
Jimmy Sturr
Sugarland
Tierney Sutton
System of a Down
Ali Farka Touré (BUMDA)
Tiempo Libre
Turtle Island String Quartet
Keith Urban
Bebo Valdés
Marcello Valenzano
Louie Vega
Rhonda Vincent & the Rage
Brian Wilson
BeBe Winans
George Winston
Paul Winter Consort
Hugh Wolff
David Yazbek
Ying Yang Twins

Performing rights organization BMI presented its 12th Annual Latin Awards last night (4/21) with top honors going to Emilio Estefan and Est�fano as Songwriters of the Year, "Fotograf�a" by Juanes as Song of the Year, and SER-CA Publishing, Inc. as Publisher of the Year. The black-tie ceremony, hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and Assistant Vice President of Latin Music Diane J. Almodovar, recognized the writers and publishers of the past year's most performed Latin songs on US radio and television. The invitation-only gala was held for the first time in Las Vegas at the Four Seasons Hotel and featured a special tribute to BMI Icon Carlos Santana.

Click here for photos from the 2005 BMI Latin Awards

Click here for the 2005 BMI Latin Awards Song List

Multiple Grammy winning songwriter/producer Emilio Estefan and six-time BMI Latin Songwriter of the Year Est�fano shared the Songwriter crown this year by placing three titles each on the most performed list of 50.

Carlos Santana	Emilio Estefan

Emilio Estefan's award-winning tracks included Cristian Castro's "No Hace Falta," Shalim's "Se Me Olvid� Tu Nombre," and Victor Manuelle's "Tengo Ganas." As head of Estefan Enterprises, which includes music publishing, music and movie production, several restaurants and managing the career of his superstar wife Gloria Estefan, the Cuban-born entrepreneur is best known as founding member and leader of groundbreaking crossover group the Miami Sound Machine.

Estéfano	Juanes

Est�fano accepted his sixth BMI Latin Songwriter of the Year Crystal for his award-winning songs "Ahora Qui�n" by Marc Anthony, "Quit�monos La Ropa" by NG�, and "Y Todo Queda En Nada" by Ricky Martin. He also won the top honor in 1995, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004. Born in Colombia, the multitalented songwriter, artist and producer got his start in Miami in the early 90s and has written hits for Julio Iglesias, Thal�a, Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Chayanne, Paulina Rubio and many others.

"Fotograf�a," written, published and performed by Colombian rocker Juanes (featuring Nelly Furtado) and co-published by peermusic III ltd., was named BMI Latin Song of the Year for tallying the most US radio and television performances. The international hit is from the nine-time Latin Grammy winner's multiplatinum CD, Un Dia Normal, which has garnered more awards than any other Latin album in history. Juanes, who now has a total of seven BMI awards, was recently named one of Time magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World."

SER-CA Publishing, Inc. was named Publisher of the Year, boasting six titles on the Latin song list, including three by Norte�o/Tejano fusion band Intocable. The honor is given to the publisher with the highest percentage of ownership of songs on the most performed list. Founded 40 years ago in Monterrey, Mexico, by Don Servando Cano, the company focuses on Regional Mexican artists like Ramon Ayala, Cornelio Reyna, Bronco El Gigante de America, Grupo Pesado, Duelo and Los Invasores de Nuevo Leon, among others.

The gala ceremony also paid tribute to multiple Grammy Award-winning artist Carlos Santana, who was named a BMI Icon for his "unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers." The first songwriter to receive the Icon honor at BMI's Latin Awards, Santana joins a distinguished list of past honorees, including James Brown, Brian Wilson, Dolly Parton, Isaac Hayes and Van Morrison.

The Icon presentation featured a special musical salute with performances by Mana guitarist Sergio Vallin, Conjunto Primavera lead singer Tony Melendez, Jaguares percussionist Leo Mu�oz and Latin rock group Ozomatli. From his most recent hits, including 2004 Pop Song of the Year "The Game of Love" (featuring Michelle Branch), "Smooth" (featuring Rob Thomas), and "Why Don't You & I" (featuring Chad Kroeger), to Santana Band classics like "Evil Ways," "Black Magic Woman," and "Oye Como Va," Carlos Santana has been creating a unique fusion of passionate, guitar-powered music for more than 30 years, creatively blending potent rock and roll with blues-driven elements and sensuous Afro-Cuban rhythms.

Double award-winning songwriters included Ram�n Gonz�lez Mora, Juanes, Luis "Louie" Padilla, Archie Pe�a, A.B. Quintanilla III, Mario Quintero, Kike Santander and Jos� Miguel Vel�squez. Publishers earning two or more Citations of Achievement were Sony/ATV Music Publishing (including Sony/ATV Acuff Rose and Sony/ATV Latin Music Publishing LLC); Foreign Imported Productions and Publishing, Inc.; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.; peermusic (including Peer International Corp. and peermusic III ltd.); Disa Latin Publishing LLC; Kike Santander Music LLC/Santander Songs; World Deep Music Publishing Corporation; EMI Music Publishing (including EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc. and EMI Music Publishing Italia [SIAE]); Iron Tigga Music/King of Bling Music; Nati Publishing; Seg-Son Music, Inc.; Songs of Camaleon; and Universal Music Publishing (including Universal M?sic Italia [SIAE] and Universal-M?sica Unica Publishing).

Another of the evening's highlights included the announcement of the winner of the 2nd annual BMI Foundation/peermusic Latin Scholarship. This year's $5,000 scholarship recipient was 22-year-old Mexican singer/songwriter Manelick de la Parra for his song "Me Toco Amarte." Established by the BMI Foundation and funded by the generosity of the peermusic publishing companies, the scholarship is awarded annually through a competition for original Latin songs and instrumental compositions.

BMI today announced that multiple Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Carlos Santana will be honored as a BMI Icon at the music performing right organization's 12th annual Latin Awards. The dinner and ceremony will be held April 21 at The Ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas, the first time the awards will be held in that city.

Santana will be the first songwriter honored as a BMI Icon at the company's Latin Awards. The designation is given to a creator who has been a "unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers." He joins a distinguished list of previous BMI Icons, including pop songwriting master Brian Wilson; R&B legends James Brown, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Isaac Hayes and Al Green; Motown songwriting trio Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland; blues/rock/soul artist Van Morrison, and country songwriter/artists Loretta Lynn, Bill Anderson and Dolly Parton.

The BMI Latin Awards recognize the songwriters and publishers of the most played Latin songs on U.S. radio and television from the company's repertoire of approximately 4.5 million musical works from around the world. A Latin Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Publisher of the Year will be announced during the evening. Winners from previous years include Ramon Ayala, Intocable, Shakira, Estefano, Ramon Gonzalez Mora, Emilio & Gloria Estefan, Juanes, Luis Miguel, Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Los Tigres del Norte, Banda Recodo, Juan Luis Guerra and Lupillo Rivera.

According to Diane Almodovar, BMI Assistant VP of Latin Music: "When we created our awards 12 years ago we intended to bring them to each of the major U.S. Latin markets. Our intent holds true. Las Vegas is known for its diversity, and we are very pleased to bring BMI's premiere Latin event there."

The black-tie, invitation-only awards have previously been staged in California, Florida, Texas and Puerto Rico.

When Ayala began his career, accordion-driven groups were not yet a staple of Northern Mexican music, but for Mexican-Americans living north of the border, this plaintive mixture of pathos and rhythm was an instant hit. Throughout the ’60s, Los Relampagos Del Norte cut 18 albums and toured the U.S., following the migrant farm-worker trail from California to Florida. By the end of the decade, they had won over audiences across Mexico as well. After dissolving the duo, Ayala formed Ramon Ayala y Sus Bravos Del Norte.

Ramon Ayala’s influence on modern music cannot be overstated, as most norteño groups today use Ayala and Reyna’s style as their musical foundation and perform their songs. In the mid-’90s, when tejano, conjunto’s modernized offshoot, revisited its accordion roots, with synthesizers often replacing the accordion, it was Ayala’s sound that was being emulated.

His lyrics tell tales of wronged lovers and hard lives, but Ramon Ayala has not become a legend by promoting despair. After 100+ albums and four decades in the spotlight, his legacy is a sound heard across decades, cultures and borders that echoes with experience and empathy.]]> 2004-12-01T17:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233868 Artists, Ayala, Ramon, Bacilos, Circo, Estefan, Gloria, Gil, Gilberto, Intocable, Juanes, Kinky, Santana, Carlos, Shakira, Musical Styles, Latin en español

BMI is proud to announce the launch of BMILatin.com, a new website created for Spanish-speaking songwriters, composers, music publishers and professional music users that spotlights BMI Latin writers and artists.

"BMILatin.com is an excellent resource for our Spanish-speaking affiliates, as well as for anyone interested in finding out more information about BMI's Latin songwriters and artists," said Diane Almodovar, Assistant Vice President of Latin Music at BMI.

BMILatin.com also features all the same tools as BMI's award-winning website, BMI.com, such as Online Services and the Listening Room, which includes streaming audio from the latest BMI Latin Sounds CD sampler. Access to news stories, photo galleries, a calendar of BMI Latin events, showcases and panels, and songwriter/artist profiles is also available.

Founded in 1939, BMI is an American performing rights organization that represents more than 300,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in all genres of music, including such Latin Grammy winners and nominees as Intocable, Juanes, Ramon Ayala, Gloria Estefan, Gilberto Gil, Circo, A.B. and the Kumbia Kings, Shakira, Carlos Santana, Kinky and Bacilos. Through its music performance and reciprocal agreements with sister organizations around the world, it grants businesses and media access to its repertoire of approximately 4.5 million songs and compositions.

Humberto Gatica

Kike Santander

Other winners included Colombian rock artist Juanes, who finally got to showcase his talent to the world after last year's show was cancelled due to the terrorist attacks on September 11. Latin diva Shakira took home the Video of the Year Latin GRAMMY for "Suerte," the Spanish-language version of her US smash hit, "Wherever, Whenever."

BMI's Latin Grammy winners 2002:

Humberto Gatica
Record of the Year
Album of the Year

Kenny O'Brien
Record of the Year
Album of the Year

Juanes
Best Rock Song

Freddie Martinez, Sr.
Best Regional Mexican Song

Bebo Valdés
Israel Lopez "Cachao"
Carlos "Patato" Valdés
Best Traditional Tropical Album

Jimmy Gonzalez y El Grupo Mazz
Best Tejano Album

Ramon Ayala y Sus Bravos Del Norte
Best Norteño Album

Edu Lobo
Best MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) Album

Gilberto Gil
Best Brazilian Roots/Regional Album

Kike Santander
Producer of the Year

Shakira
Video of the Year

* share not licensed by BMI