Latin rock superstar, Juanes noted the contest's importance in supporting and encouraging young Latin musical talent. "This contest is an amazing opportunity for young composers/lyricists to compete against the best talent in the USA and Puerto Rico and earn money to further their education. I am glad to be a part of something that promotes and celebrates the emergence and growth of Latin musical talent," he sais.

According to Porfirio Pina, Director of the competition, the program is open to students between the ages of 16 and 24 who are enrolled in any college or university located in the United States and Puerto Rico. All words and music must be original. The postmark deadline for entries is February 8, 2008. Competition rules and applications are available online at www.bmifoundation.org.

Founded by Ralph S. Peer in 1928, peermusic is a global network of music publishing companies operating from 33 offices in 27 countries. With well over a quarter of a million titles in the company's catalogue, and songs that vary from country, blues, jazz and pop to Latin, concert and rock 'n' roll, peermusic is the largest privately owned company of its kind in the world.

The BMI Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation founded in 1985 to support the creation, performance, and study of music through awards, scholarships, commissions and grants. Tax-deductible donations to the Foundation come primarily from songwriters, composers and publishers, BMI employees and members of the public with a special interest in music. Because both the Foundation staff and the distinguished members of the Advisory Panel serve without compensation, over 95% of all donations and income are used for charitable grants.

Listen to the winning song, "Todo Lo Que Necesito."

The scholarship competition was established through the generosity of Ralph Peer II and the peermusic companies and is open to students between the ages of 16 and 24 attending colleges and universities in the United States and Puerto Rico. The 2007 jury included Latin Grammy President Gabriel Abaroa, peermusic's Julio Bague, EMI Music Publishing's Claribel Caraballo, Sony BMG Music Entertainment's Rene Hubard and Tu Casa Entertainment's Maribel Schumacher. Porfirio Piña, Director of the Foundation's peermusic Latin Scholarhsip and Director of Latin Music at BMI in New York, oversaw the judging process.

The judges also awarded one Honorable Mention to 22-year-old Rebecca Lopez and 24-year-old Agnel David Lindes, both students at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, who co-wrote the winning song, "Y Se Va."

Founded by Ralph S. Peer in 1928, peermusic is a global network of music publishing companies operating from 33 offices in 27 countries. With well over a quarter of a million titles in the company's catalogue, and songs that vary from country, blues, jazz and pop to Latin, concert and rock 'n' roll, peermusic is the largest privately owned company of its kind in the world.

The BMI Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation founded in 1985 to support the creation, performance and study of music through awards, scholarships, commissions and grants. Tax-deductible donations to the Foundation come primarily from songwriters, composers and publishers, BMI employees and members of the public with a special interest in music. Because both the Foundation staff and the distinguished members of the Advisory Panel serve without compensation, over 95% of all donations and income are used for charitable grants.

Famed Latin rock superstar, Juanes, is proud to stand behind a contest that supports and encourages young Latin musical talent. "This contest is an amazing opportunity for young composers/lyricists to compete against the best talent in the USA and Puerto Rico and earn money to further their education. I am glad to be a part of something that promotes and celebrates the emergence and growth of Latin musical talent," says Juanes.

The 2007 competition is open to students between the ages of 16 and 24 enrolled in any college or university in the United States and Puerto Rico. All words and music must be original. The postmark deadline for entries is Jan. 13, 2007. Click here for competition rules and applications.

Founded by Ralph S. Peer in 1928, peermusic is a global network of music publishing companies operating from 33 offices in 27 countries. With well over a quarter of a million titles in the company's catalogue, and songs that vary from country, blues, jazz and pop to Latin, concert and rock 'n' roll, peermusic is the largest privately owned company of its kind in the world.

The BMI Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation founded in 1985 to support the creation, performance, and study of music through awards, scholarships, commissions and grants. Tax-deductible donations to the Foundation come primarily from songwriters, composers and publishers, BMI employees and members of the public with a special interest in music. Because both the Foundation staff and the distinguished members of the Advisory Panel serve without compensation, over 95% of all donations and income are used for charitable grants.]]> 2006-10-12T05:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/334779 Jackson, Ralph, Bryant, Del, Godoy, Marco, Peer, Ralph, Peer, Ralph S., peermusic, Latin, Foundation, peermusic Latin Scholarship BMI Foundation, Inc., has announced that Berklee College of Music student Marco A. Godoy is the winner of the third annual peermusic Latin Scholarship, a competition for original Latin songs and instrumental compositions. The 23-year-old Venezuelan songwriter, who also won the prestigious honor in 2004, reclaimed the title and took home $5,000 for his song "Para Mi Eres Todo." The scholarship presentation took place during the recent BMI Latin Awards ceremony held in New York City, where the young musician got to share the stage with some of the biggest names in Latin music.

Peermusic Scholarship winner Marco Godoy (center) is congratulated on stage by BMI's Del Bryant, peermusic's Kathy Spanberger, BMI's Diane Almodovar and Elizabeth Ann Peer, daughter of Ralph Peer II.

Godoy, whose instrumental "My Latin Feel" earned him the Foundation's inaugural peermusic Scholarship two years ago, won his first singing competition at the age of six, led his own rock/pop band at 13, and was hired to be the arranger and director of a 15-piece salsa band at the age of 16. With a dual major in Music Production & Engineering and Contemporary Music & Production, Godoy was also a finalist in the SGAE Premio de Jazz Latino, won first place in the Shure Fantastic Scholastic Recording Competition, and has been honored by Berklee with its Achievement Scholarship and the Peter Kaleta Award for his contributions to the college's Contemporary Writing and Production department.

Peermusic Scholarship winner Marco Godoy shows off his award plaque to BMI Foundation President Ralph Jackson.

The BMI Foundation’s peermusic Latin Scholarship was established in 2003 through the generosity of music publishing titan Ralph Peer II and the peermusic companies for college students throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. The judging panel included Sony/BMG’s Angel Carrasco, LARAS President Gabriel Abaroa, EMI’s Nestor E. Casanou, peermusic’s Julio Bague, Sirius Satellite Radio’s Elizabeth Rodriguez, El Especial’s Fernanda Garcia, Venevision Music’s Fidel Hernandez and Tu Casa Entertainment’s Maribel Schumacher.

Founded by Ralph S. Peer in 1928, peermusic is a global network of music publishing companies operating from 33 offices in 27 countries. With well over a quarter of a million titles in the company's catalogue, and songs that vary from country, blues, jazz and pop to Latin, concert and rock 'n' roll, peermusic is the largest privately owned company of its kind in the world.

The BMI Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation founded in 1985 to support the creation, performance and study of music through awards, scholarships, commissions and grants. Tax-deductible donations to the Foundation come primarily from songwriters, composers and publishers, BMI employees and members of the public with a special interest in music. Because both the Foundation staff and the distinguished members of the Advisory Panel serve without compensation, over 95% of all donations and income are used for charitable grants. For more information: www.bmifoundation.org.

Photos by WireImage/Lester Cohen]]> 2006-04-20T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234540 Peer, Ralph, Peer, Ralph S., peermusic, Latin, Foundation BMI Foundation, Inc. has announced the opening of the 3rd Annual peermusic Latin Scholarship, a competition for young songwriters and composers. Established by music publisher Ralph Peer II and generously funded by peermusic, a $5,000 scholarship will be awarded for the best song or instrumental composition in a Latin genre.

The 2006 competition is open to students between the ages of 16 and 24 enrolled in any college or university located in the United States and Puerto Rico. All words and music must be original. The postmark deadline for entries is January 13, 2006. Click here to download the competition rules and application. (pdf)

Founded by Ralph S. Peer in 1928, peermusic is a global network of music publishing companies operating from 33 offices in 27 countries. With well over a quarter of a million titles in the company's catalogue, and songs that vary from country, blues, jazz and pop to Latin, concert and rock 'n' roll, peermusic is the largest privately owned company of its kind in the world.

The BMI Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation founded in 1985 to support the creation, performance, and study of music through awards, scholarships, commissions and grants. Tax-deductible donations to the Foundation come primarily from songwriters, composers and publishers, BMI employees and members of the public with a special interest in music. Because both the Foundation staff and the distinguished members of the Advisory Panel serve without compensation, over 95% of all donations and income are used for charitable grants.]]> 2005-09-13T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234422 de la Parra, Manelick, Peer, Ralph, Peer, Ralph S., peermusic, Jazz, Latin, Pop, Rock, Foundation, peermusic Latin Scholarship BMI Foundation, Inc., has announced that Manelick de la Parra is the winner of the second annual peermusic Latin Scholarship, a competition for original Latin songs and instrumental compositions. De la Parra, a 22-year-old native of Mexico and a senior at Berklee College of Music, received a $5,000 scholarship for his song, "Me Toco Amarte." The presentation took place during the BMI Latin Awards ceremony held in Las Vegas on April 21.

Ralph N. Jackson and Manelick de la Parra

Click here to listen to "Me Toco Amarte" by Manelick de la Parra

This new BMI Foundation scholarship was established in 2003 through the generosity of Ralph Peer II and the peermusic companies for students between the ages of 16 and 24 from schools in California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Puerto Rico and Texas. This year's judges included Latin Grammy President Gabriel Abaroa, peermusic's Julio Bague, SZG Entertainment's George Zamora, and BMI's Dianne J. Almodovar and Porfirio Pina.

Founded by Ralph S. Peer in 1928, peermusic is a global network of music publishing companies operating from 33 offices in 27 countries. With well over a quarter of a million titles in the company's catalogue, and songs that vary from country, blues, jazz and pop to Latin, concert and rock 'n' roll, peermusic is the largest privately owned company of its kind in the world.

The BMI Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation founded in 1985 to support the creation, performance and study of music through awards, scholarships, commissions and grants. Tax-deductible donations to the Foundation come primarily from songwriters, composers and publishers, BMI employees and members of the public with a special interest in music. Because both the Foundation staff and the distinguished members of the Advisory Panel serve without compensation, over 95% of all donations and income are used for charitable grants.]]> 2005-04-21T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234238 Peer, Ralph, Peer, Ralph S., peermusic, Jazz, Latin, Pop, Rock, Foundation BMI Foundation has announced the opening of the 2nd Annual peermusic Latin Scholarship, a competition for young songwriters and composers. Established by music publisher Ralph Peer II and generously funded by peermusic, a $5,000 scholarship will be awarded for the best song or instrumental composition in a Latin genre.

The 2005 competition is open to students between the ages of 16 and 24 enrolled in colleges and universities located in these select states: California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Puerto Rico and Texas. All words and music must be original.

Click here for official rules and applications materials. You may also obtain materials by writing to:

Ralph N. Jackson
President, BMI Foundation
Peermusic Latin Scholarship
320 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019

The postmark deadline for entries is January 13, 2005.

Founded by Ralph S. Peer in 1928, peermusic is a global network of music publishing companies operating from 33 offices in 27 countries. With well over a quarter of a million titles in the company's catalogue, and songs that vary from country, blues, jazz and pop to Latin, concert and rock 'n' roll, peermusic is the largest privately owned company of its kind in the world.

The BMI Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation founded in 1985 to support the creation, performance, and study of music through awards, scholarships, commissions and grants. Tax-deductible donations to the Foundation come primarily from songwriters, composers and publishers, BMI employees and members of the public with a special interest in music. Because both the Foundation staff and the distinguished members of the Advisory Panel serve without compensation, over 95% of all donations and income are used for charitable grants.

Click here to see last year's winner.]]> 2004-10-27T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234010 Jackson, Ralph, Godoy, Marco, Peer, Ralph, Peer, Ralph S., peermusic, Preston, Frances, Santander, Kike, Jazz, Latin, Pop, Rock, Foundation, peermusic Latin Scholarship BMI Foundation, Inc. has announced that Marco A. Godoy is the winner of the first annual peermusic Latin Scholarship, a competition for original Latin songs and instrumental compositions. Godoy, a 21-year-old native of Venezuela and a freshman at Berklee College of Music, received a $5,000 scholarship for his instrumental entitled, "My Latin Feel." The presentation took place on March 16 during the BMI Latin Awards ceremony held in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Click here to listen to "My Latin Feel"

Pictured after the presentation of the BMI Foundation/peermusic Latin Scholarship are BMI Foundation President Ralph Jackson, BMI President & CEO Frances Preston, scholarship recipient Marco Godoy, and peermusic Chairman & CEO Ralph Peer II.

This new BMI Foundation scholarship was established through the generosity of Ralph Peer II and the peermusic companies and was open to students between the ages of 16 and 24 from 17 select schools in California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Puerto Rico and Texas. The judges included Latin Grammy President Gabriel Abaroa, Warner Music Latina's Amir Agai, BMI's Dianne J. Almodovar, peermusic's Julio Bague, songwriter Rodolfo Castillo, BMI songwriter Kike Santander and Warner Music Latina President George Zamora.

Founded by Ralph S. Peer in 1928, peermusic is a global network of music publishing companies operating from 33 offices in 27 countries. With well over a quarter of a million titles in the company's catalogue, and songs that vary from country, blues, jazz and pop to Latin, concert and rock 'n' roll, peermusic is the largest privately owned company of its kind in the world.

The BMI Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation founded in 1985 to support the creation, performance and study of music through awards, scholarships, commissions and grants. Tax-deductible donations to the Foundation come primarily from songwriters, composers and publishers, BMI employees and members of the public with a special interest in music. Because both the Foundation staff and the distinguished members of the Advisory Panel serve without compensation, over 97% of all donations and income are used for charitable grants.]]> 2004-03-21T17:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233974 Peer, Ralph, Peer, Ralph S., peermusic, Jazz, Latin, Pop, Rock, Foundation BMI Foundation, Inc., and Ralph Peer II, Chairman and CEO of peermusic, announced today the establishment of the peermusic Latin Scholarship for young songwriters and composers. Funded through the generosity of the peermusic companies, the new $5,000 scholarship will be awarded annually through a competition for original Latin songs and instrumental compositions.

The first contest, which is currently underway, includes students between the ages of 16 and 24 from 17 select schools in California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Puerto Rico and Texas. According to Jackson, "Peermusic has always been a leader in the field of Latin music, and we are delighted to partner with them in creating this wonderful new opportunity for young people in the Latin songwriting community."

Founded by Ralph S. Peer in 1928, peermusic is a global network of music publishing companies operating from 33 offices in 27 countries. With well over a quarter of a million titles in the company's catalogue, and songs that vary from country, blues, jazz and pop to Latin, concert and rock 'n' roll, peermusic is the largest privately owned company of its kind in the world.

The BMI Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation founded in 1985 to support the creation, performance and study of music through awards, scholarships, commissions and grants. Tax-deductible donations to the Foundation come primarily from songwriters, composers and publishers, BMI employees and members of the public with a special interest in music. Because both the Foundation staff and the distinguished members of the Advisory Panel serve without compensation, over 97% of all donations and income are used for charitable grants.]]> 2004-02-23T17:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/musicworld/entry/233878 Artists, Aguilera, Christina, Brooks, Meredith, Charles, Ray, Foster, David, Nelson, Willie, Peer, Ralph, Peer, Ralph S., peermusic, Peiken, Shelly, Presley, Elvis, Williams, Hank, Musical Styles, Country, Jazz, Latin, Rock, Musicworld, Feature, Type, International peermusic Celebrates 75th Anniversary
by Gerry Wood

Although the company name, peermusic, eschews capitalization for an underplayed lower case style, this firm deserves headline-sized capitals for its impact on the international music scene. Launched as Southern Music in 1928 by Ralph S. Peer, famed for finding seminal talents in neglected genres and markets, the independent publishing company has hit the mile marker of 75 successful years -- and counting.

Ralph Peer II with Roni Stoneman, Janette Carter, June Carter Cash and Patsy Stoneman

On a 1927 safari for songs, Peer ventured from New York City into the southland, scouting artists for the Victor label. He found blues, jazz and country. In Bristol, Tennessee, he recorded the first sessions for the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers while gaining valuable copyrights. South of the border trips led to the explosion of the Latin American market, thriving to this day with such peermusic standards as "Perfidia," "Brasil," "Granada" and multiple Latin Grammys and BMI Latin Publisher of the Year titles.

Peer's penchant for discovering diverse, often-overlooked creators preceded a quantum leap in that area in 1939 when BMI was formed, a blessing for writers and publishers on the fringes of mainstream music. Peer's philosophy fit perfectly with the new performing rights organization.

Later acquisitions and talent development in Europe added to its stature, but not at the expense of foretelling U.S. trends, as the company signed Buddy Holly and other rock & roll pioneers.

After Peer died in 1960, his wife Monique led the company for the next 20 years before their son Ralph Peer II expanded the family tradition of exploring new opportunities.

"We have to be very conscious of respect for the roots of music and at the same time work very hard to keep ourselves contemporary," he explains. "By being players in the contemporary music markets around the world, we do the best job of serving our repertoire and the composers and heirs of the repertoire."

Keeping abreast of technological advances is a key to success, stresses Peer, who presides over a global operation with 32 offices in 27 countries, and an immense catalog of some 300,000 songs. "It was the technology of the Victrola that really spearheaded my father's introduction of country music to a broader public. And I've always been very proud of the fact that he was involved in the first recordings of black people singing the blues. He knew there were genres of music and audiences that weren't being fulfilled out there."

Kevin Lamb, Vice President in charge of the Nashville office, succinctly observes, "While everybody zigged, Ralph Peer was zagging."

The zagging has resulted in a catalog that has yielded hits for such artists as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Celine Dion, Nat King Cole, Hank Williams, Rod Stewart, Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, Edith Piaf and Julio Iglesias. Among the company's songwriters are producer/writer David Foster, Grammy-winning new age artist Kitaro, BMI multi-award winner Stewart Harris and Shelly Peiken, who has crafted compositions for Christina Aguilera and Meredith Brooks.

Beyond the airwaves and record sales, peermusic spices TV series, commercials and movies. O Brother, Where Art Thou? featured six of its songs on the soundtrack, selling more than six million copies in the U.S. alone -- the best-selling country soundtrack in history.

Providing gems for the hottest chart-topping acts from rock to Latin while mining gold and platinum from the catalog prods peermusic into the forefront as a modern day publishing giant. Significantly, the O Brother evergreens were a back-to-the-future gift from the copyright collage assembled by Ralph S. Peer when he made that historic trip to Tennessee. His son saluted the achievement, hosting a private dinner in Bristol commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Bristol sessions, with invitations sent to all the living relatives of the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers and the Stonemans.

"It's not often that you get 75 years of relationships between a publishing company and its composers and heirs," Peer points out. "It was that relationship that we were celebrating and holding up as a standard which we strive to attain."]]> 2003-10-22T18:00:00-05:00