Emilio Estefan, 2005 BMI Songwriter of the Year and Jake Cavazos

The televised live event considered one of the most prestigious award ceremonies held in the U.S. to honor Latin music, feted such BMI luminaries as Ricky Martin (Album of the Year), BMI Icon Juan Luis Guerra (Best Male Artist and Song of the Year, “Bendita La Luz,” with Mana), Intocable (Regional Mexican Album of the Year; Band or Duo of the Year), Sergio Vallin of Mana (Artist of the Year for Mana) and AB Quintanilla III presents: Kumbia Kings (Best New Artist Nominee).

Pepe Aguilar, Regional Mexican Ranchero Artist winner and Jake Cavazos

The Premio Lo Nuestro awards were created in 1989 to recognize excellence in the Latin music industry in the United States. Throughout the awards’ 20 years of existence, some of the biggest names in Latin music have attended and performed at the annual ceremony. Its live broadcast, an exclusive Univision production, has become the most-watched television program by Hispanics in the United States, beating all-time top-rated events such as the Super Bowl, the Oscars and the NBA finals. The latest broadcast’s ratings were the highest ever for any Premio Lo Nuestro telecast, making Univision the #2 network for the entire night among adults 18-34.

Gloria Estefan, Female Artist nominee and presenter with Jake Cavazos

Jenni Rivera, Regional Mexican Female Artist winner with Jake Cavazos

Band members from Cruz Martinez presents: Super Reyes, Best New Artist nominee with Jake Cavazos (right)

Carolina Arenas, Label Manger, Machete Music with Jake Cavazos

Within his genre, Don Omar is expanding the rhythmic reach of his beats beyond jackhammer predictability just as he elevates his themes with conscious messages. Beneath his boldness lies a deeper subtext, one of uplifting spirituality and determination inspired by, as he put it, “the real king of kings.”

This spirit is a through line in his life: Born William Landrón in Villa Palmeras, Puerto Rico, Omar was previously a preacher at the Fuente de Agua Viva church in Bayamón. Although he eventually departed from the pulpit (a matter he addressed in his song “Aunque Te Fuiste”), evangelistic fervor was a hallmark of his music. From the sanctuary to the streets, Omar joined the growing reggaetón movement and hooked up with Héctor el Bambino (now know as Hector El Father) of the popular duo Héctor y Tito, producing and writing songs for the pair, and eventually collaborating vocally on “A la Reconquista.” With his solo hit “Desde que Llego” in 2002 and the release of his own CD, The Last Don, he rode the rising reggaetón wave, just beginning to crash ashore into the lucrative stateside market.

His debut featured extensive production work by Luny Tunes and Eliel, two of reggaetón’s preeminent hitmakers, and showcased two massive singles, “Intocable” and “Dile.” Omar scored further hits with Luny Tunes on their compilation albums Mas Flow and Trayectoria, but his break, “Reggaeton Latino,” came from the Chosen Few compilation. The Latino pride anthem hit just as reggaetón was exploding across the U.S. urban landscape in the summer of 2005 and was so popular that a bilingual remix and a video — only the second reggaetón song with MTV airplay in the States — was created with preeminent Latino rappers N.O.R.E. and Fat Joe.

Don Omar’s inventory of accolades includes a 2006 BMI Latin Award for “Pobre Diabla,” and Latin Pop Album of the Year, New Artist and Latin Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year from the 2003 Billboard Latin Music Awards. The platinum-selling live version of The Last Don was also nominated for Urban Music Album at the 2005 Latin Grammys.

Omar is mounting a multi-million dollar King of Kings tour, a massive stage production complete with elaborate pyrotechnics and full-blown theatrical and dance elements. In the dazzling, over-the-top show, at one point Omar emerges in a white suit with a full-length, hooded cape to deliver a fire-and-brimstone sermon, “Predica” (Preach), that neatly brings his career full cycle.

Omar’s impact on reggaetón is now extending outside of the studio and stage through his recent partnership with UMBRO, a globally recognized football brand to launch the Don Omar Casual Clothing Collection. Foot Locker in the U.S. and Puerto Rico is distributing the line of urban clothing.

A complex artist and a sterling songwriter, Don Omar drives a shifting style with both bravado and substance. As reggaetón outgrows its adolescence, the thoughtfulness and inclusion of Omar may well be a signpost of what lies ahead for the urban market’s fastest growing genre.

en español

BMI, the leading U.S. performing right organization, staged the 13th edition of its Latin Music Awards on Friday, April 7, with top honors reserved for merengue superstar Juan Luis Guerra, Colombian rocker Juanes, Big Brother theme song "Miedo," and Mexican music publisher SER-CA Publishing, Inc. Held for the first time in New York City at the Metropolitan Pavilion, the black-tie ceremony recognized the songwriters and publishers of the past year's 50 most performed Latin songs on American radio and television. The gala event was hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and Diane Almodovar, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Miami.

BMI Latin Awards Photo Slideshow

BMI's 2006 Latin Award-winning songs

Juan Luis Guerra: BMI Icon

Among the winners and special guests at the 2006 BMI Latin Awards were Don Omar, Luny Tunes, Beto y Sus Canarios, Sebastian Krys, Norgie Noriega, Los Tucanes De Tijuana's Mario Quintero, Ramón Orlando, Papi Sanchez, Clímax's Oskar Lobbo, Willie Colón, KC Porter, Pepe Garza, Don Cheto, Game G, Larry Harlow, DJ Blass, Francisco Casanova, N.O.R.E., Javier Garcia, Fato, Boy Wonder, Liza Quin, Chichi Peralta, Jellybean Benitez, Johnny Pacheco, and many more.

Juan Luis Guerra	Juanes	Fato

But the spotlight was on Grammy Award-winning artist Juan Luis Guerra, who was named a BMI Icon for his "unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers." The Icon presentation featured an all-star musical salute that brought down the house, with performances by India, Jandy Feliz, Jose "El Canario" Alberto, Huey Dunbar, Isidro Infante and his "All-Star Band," and 440's Adalgisa Pantaleón and Chocolate.

Named BMI's 1995 Latin Songwriter of the Year, Guerra's blend of traditional tropical music, merengue rhythms and lyrical romanticism has produced such celebrated songs as "Para Tí" and "Las Avispas," two of the night's Latin Award-winning songs, as well as "Viviré," "Bachata Rosa," "Burbujas de Amor" and "Estrellitas y Duendes." With a list of accolades that now includes six Grammys, numerous Univision awards, six Billboard Latin Music Awards and 14 BMI Latin Awards, his songs have been recorded by international Latin stars Luis Miguel, Emmanuel and others. A passionate philanthropist, Guerra's Fundación 440 has been providing medical assistance to the disadvantaged in his beloved homeland of the Dominican Republic since its creation in 1991.

Twelve-time Latin Grammy winner Juanes added BMI Latin Songwriter of the Year to his extensive inventory of awards by penning three songs on the top 50 list: "La Camisa Negra," "Nada Valgo Sin Tu Amor" and Volverte A Ver." This trio of hits pushes the Colombian rocker's BMI Awards total over 10 and includes last year's Song of the Year win for his Nelly Furtado duet, "Fotografía." Named one of Time magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World" in 2005, the Spanish-only singer has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide.

"Miedo" ("Afraid"), written by Enrique "Fato" Guzmán Yáñez (SACM) and published by Vander America Music, was named Latin Song of the Year for scoring the most airplay of any song on the most performed list. This is the second BMI Latin Award for Fato, whose "alternative mariachi" style mixes Latin pop and traditional Mexican music. Recorded by Latin Grammy-nominated Regional Mexican star Pepe Aguilar, the Big Brother theme song topped Billboard's Hot Latin Tracks chart in 2005 and was number one in Mexico for four consecutive months.

SER-CA Publishing, Inc. earned the Publisher of the Year trophy for the second year in a row with five titles on the list of 50, giving the Monterrey, Mexico-based publisher the highest percentage of ownership of Latin Award songs. Founded more than four decades ago by Don Servando Cano, the company focuses on Regional Mexican artists like Intocable, Bronco El Gigante de America, Grupo Pesado and others.

In addition to Juanes and Guerra, songwriters Cruz Martinez and Julieta Venegas (SGAE) scored multiple awards, as did publishers Cibao Music Company, CKJointz Music, Editora Arpa Musical, EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc., Ensign Music LLC, Foreign Imported Productions and Publishing, Inc., Kike Santander Music LLC/Santander Songs, peermusic (Peer International Corp./peermusic III, Ltd.), Songs of Camaleon, Universal-M?sica Unica Publishing, Vander America Music and Warner/Chappell Music Group (Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. and Rightsong Music, Inc.).

Another of the evening's highlights was the presentation of the BMI Foundation's third annual peermusic Latin Scholarship to Berklee College of Music student Marco Godoy. The 23-year-old Venezuelan songwriter, who also won the prestigious honor in 2004, reclaimed the title and took home a $5,000 scholarship for his song "Para Mi Eres Todo," sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in Latin music. 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.

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

Juanes	Ivan Lins	Juan Luis Guerra

Latin Grammy favorite Juanes continued his red hot streak winning all three of the awards for which he was nominated, including Best Rock Song for "Nada Valgo Sin Tu Amor," Best Music Video for "Volverte a Ver" and Best Rock Solo Vocal Album for Mi Sangre. The Colombian rocker, whose duet "Fotografía" was named the 2005 BMI Latin Song of the Year, has earned a total of 12 Latin Grammy Awards to date.

Ozomatli	Banda El Recodo De Cruz Lizárraga

Veteran Brazilian jazz singer Ivan Lins added two more trophies to his collection, including the coveted Album of the Year for his "Cantando Histórias," which also won Best MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira) Album. Dominican merengue artist Juan Luis Guerra also took home two Latin Grammys, one for "Las Avispas," named Best Tropical Song, and the other for Best Christian Album (Spanish Language) for Para Ti.

Intocable	Bebo Valdés

Other BMI Latin Grammy winners included Intocable, Banda El Recodo De Cruz Lizárraga, Josue Contreras, Bebo Valdés, David Sánchez, Ozomatli, Carlos Vives, Rafa Sardina, Bacilos, Molotov, David Lee Garza, Sunny Sauceda, Joel Guzman, Elvis Crespo, Cachao, Lila Downs, Luis Miguel, Paquito D'Rivera, Lina Luna and Gustavo Santaolalla, who picked up his sixth award.

David Sánchez	Carlos Vives	Sunny Sauceda

Held November 3 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, the 6th Annual Latin Grammy Awards featured an expanding range of genres including pop, salsa, reggaeton and rock, and was broadcast live for the first time exclusively in Spanish on the Univision Network.

Bacilos	Cachao

As part of Latin Grammy week, the Latin Recording Academy (LARAS) honored Mexican crooner José José as its 2005 Person of the Year at a gala dinner and concert on November 1. Known as the "Prince of Song," the legendary singer was feted for his humanitarian contributions and for his more than 40 year music career that includes album sales of over 40 million, six Grammy nominations and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Recording Academy.

José José	Josue Contreras

BMI's 2005 Latin Grammy Winners:

THREE AWARDS
Juanes
Best Rock Solo Vocal Album
Best Rock Song
Best Music Video

TWO AWARDS
Ivan Lins
Album of the Year
Best MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira) Album

Juan Luis Guerra
Best Tropical Song
Best Christian Album (Spanish Language)

Molotov	Luis Miguel

SINGLE WINNERS
Bacilos
Best Pop Album by Duo or Group

Banda El Recodo De Cruz Lizárraga
Best Banda Album

Cachao
Best Traditional Tropical Album

Lina Luna	Gustavo Santaolalla	David Lee Garza

Elvis Crespo
Best Merengue Album

Josué Contreras
Best Regional Mexican Song

Lila Downs
Best Folk Album

Joel Guzman	Lila Downs

David Lee Garza
Best Tejano Album

Joel Guzman
Best Tejano Album

Intocable
Best Norteño Album

Rafa Sardina	Paquito D'Rivera

Lina Luna
Best Latin Children's Album

Molotov
Best Rock Album by Duo or Group

Luis Miguel
Best Ranchero Album

Ozomatli
Best Alternative Music Album

Paquito D'Rivera
Best Classical Album

Johnny Lee Rosas
Best Regional Mexican Song

David Sánchez
Best Instrumental Album

Gustavo Santaolalla
Producer of the Year

Rafa Sardina
Record of the Year

Sunny Sauceda
Best Tejano Album

Bebo Valdés
Best Latin Jazz Album

Carlos Vives
Best Contemporary Tropical Album

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.