Shown; back row (l-r): Drummer Brian Lang; producer Sebastian Krys; BMI’s Ray Yee, Anne Cecere, Brooke Morrow and Casey Robison. Front row (l-r): BMI’s Chad Irvin and Delia Orjuela; Jacob Jeffries; BMI’s Barbara Cane and Marissa Lopez.

Jacob Jeffries started playing the piano at the age of five, and by 10 was writing original music, which lead to a publishing deal with Warner Chappell at the age of 17. At 19, Jacob has spent the last year recording with Grammy Award-winning producers Sebastian Krys and Dan Warner. He was also honored to be added to the Baldwin Piano artist roster.

Dominican singer/songwriter Juan Luis Guerra dominated the eighth annual Latin Grammys, held November 8 in Las Vegas, winning five awards, including Album of the Year for La Llave De Mi Corazon (The Key to My Heart), which was also named Best Merengue Album of the Year. The album’s title track won for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Tropical Song. Guerra was named a BMI Icon at the 2006 BMI Latin Awards and tops the list of BMI 2007 Latin Grammy winners.

Ricky Martin, Calle 13 and Caetano Velosa each garnered three awards. Martin won Best Male Pop Vocal Album for MTV Unplugged and Best Long Form Music Video for “MTV Unplugged”; Calle scored a Best Urban Music Album award for Residente O Visitante and Best Urban Song award for “Pal Norte”; and Caetano Velosa won Best Singer-Songwriter album for Cê and Best Brazilian Song for “Não Me Arrependo.”

Mexican artist Pepe Aguilar won the Best Ranchero Album for Enamorado, while Bobby Cruz’s Románticos De Ayer, Hoy y Siempre was named Best Traditional Tropical Album of the Year.

Sebastian Krys added a sixth Latin Grammy to his list of accolades with this year’s Producer of the Year honor for his work with such artists as Luis Fonsi, Daniela Guzmán and Jennifer Peña., while Los Tigres del Norte were honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for their three-decade career and influential multi-genre music.

Additional BMI Latin Grammy winners include Freddie Martinez, Sr. (Best Regional Mexican Song); Los Horoscopos De Durango (Best Banda Album); Chick Corea & Bela Fleck (Best Instrumental Album); and Rabanes (Best Rock Album by a Duo or Group with Vocal).

BMI Latin Grammy Winners

Juan Luis Guerra
Record of the Year
Album of the Year
Song of the Year
Best Tropical Song
Best Merengue Album of the Year

Los Tigres Del Norte
Lifetime Achievement Award

Ricky Martin
Best Male Pop Vocal
Best Long Form Music Video

Calle 13
Best Urban Music Album
Best Urban Song

Caetano Veloso
Best Singer-Songwriter Album
Best Brazilian Song

Oscar D’Leon
Best Contemporary Tropical Album of the Year

Bobby Cruz
Best Traditional Tropical Album of the Year

Freddie Martinez, Sr.
Best Regional Mexican Song

Marcos Witt
Best Christian Album (Spanish Language)

Pepe Aguilar
Best Ranchero Album

Los Horoscopos De Durango
Best Banda Album

Chick Corea
Best Instrumental Album

Béla Fleck
Best Instrumental Album

Sebastian Krys
Producer of the Year

Rabanes
Best Rock Album by a Duo or Group with Vocal

The “Industry Insider” series is one of many opportunities BMI offers to connect songwriters with leaders movers in the entertainment industry. The series is free and held every other month.

About the panelists:

KC Porter - This Grammy Award-winning producer, arranger and composer has chart-topping works with such Latin superstars as Carlos Santana, Ricky Martin, Luis Miguel, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Ana Gabriel, and the late Selena. Porter has also worked his magic with English-language stars, including Lara Fabian, Bon Jovi, Janet Jackson, Chaka Khan, 98 Degrees, Brian McKnight, Toni Braxton and Boyz II Men, crossing their hits over to Spanish-speaking and international audiences. One of his latest projects was co-writing and producing Ozomatli’s latest album, Don’t Mess with the Dragon.

Rafa Sardina – Sardina, a Los Angeles based, ten-time Grammy Award-winning mixer/engineer has built an eclectic and impressive client list in the recent years: Macy Gray, Stevie Wonder, Dr Dre, Dru Hill, Jessy Moss, Mariah Carey, Luis Miguel, Sheryl Crow, Soul Coughing, Marc Antoine, Angie Stone and Alejandro Sanz, among others. He has worked with numerous high-profile artists and producers, including Dr Dre, Camara Kambon, Lulu Perez, Babyface, Scott Litt and David Foster. Most recently, Sardina has launched a production company focusing on developing new talent in his state-of-the art studio, open since 2006.

Mark Portman - This Los Angeles-based, Grammy Award-nominated producer/songwriter/musician has worked on over 130 albums, several movies and TV shows. His roster of Latin stars includes Luis Miguel, Julio Iglesias, Alejandro Sanz, Jaci Velasquez, Cristian Castro, Luis Fonsi, Olga Tanon, Pedro Fernandez, Reik, Ednita Nazario, and Los Temerarios. He has collaborated and worked with renowned producers including David Foster, Phil Ramone, Quincy Jones, Teddy Riley and Latin producer Rudy Perez. Among his other roster of superstars are Barbra Streisand, Carole King, Carole Bayer Sager, Blackstreet, Diana Ross, Christina Aguilera, Brenda Russell, Dave Koz and others.

Sebastian Krys - Based in South Florida, this multiple Grammy Award-winning producer has over 20 top ten Billboard Latin Hits, including 9 No. 1 singles and albums. Krys has worked with artists including Marc Anthony, Carlos Vives, Sandy & Junior, Shakira, Mana, JD Natasha, Jeremias, Long Beach Dub All Stars w/Black Eyed Peas, Aterciopelados, Ricky Martin, Will Smith, Obie Bermudez, Gian Marco, Luis Fonsi, Gloria Estefan, Soraya, Mandy Moore, Jennifer Lopez, and more.

Homero Patrón – This Grammy Award-winning musician, director and composer has worked with artists such as José José, Emmanuel, Marco Antonio Muñiz, Rocío Durcal, Ray Conniff, Barry White, Tom Jones, Nana Moskoury, Raphael, Nelson Ned, Juan Gabriel, Manoella Torres, Vicky Carr, Gualberto Castro, Angélica María, César Costa, Alberto Vazquez, Charles Aznavour, and Jose Luis Rodríguez “El Puma,” to name just a few. Patrón has also produced albums for such superstars as Juan Gabriel, Lucha Villa, Javier Solís, Angeles Ochoa, Ana Gabriel, Yuri, Pedro Fernandez, Vicky Carr, Olga Tañon, Vicente and Alejandro Fernández, Pepe Aguilar, Lucero, Alicia Villarreal, Pablo Montero, Ana Bárbara, Laura Flores, Nana Mouskouri and Marco Antonio Solís.

Kiko Cibrian - Multi-talented producer, musician and vocal producer who has worked with Luis Miguel, Christian Castro, and up-and-coming artists Innis, Jesse & Joy, Patricia Manterola, Souljahz, and Frankie J, Reik, along with projects such at Billboard’s Latin Series: Best of 1997, Billboard’s Latin Series: Best of Pop 1996, along with the Sinatra Duets.

Marco Flores - Flores has produced and written over 400 songs, four of which placed number one on Billboard's charts in the same year (2000), and has achieved an impressive 14 platinum albums and 22 gold albums. His roster includes works with Richard Marx, Luther Vandross, Selena, Barrio Boyzz, Donna Summer, Toni Braxton, Bonnie Raitt, Thalia, Gloria Estefan, Carlos Ponce, Jordi, Ricky Martin, Jose Feliciano, and many more.

During a career spanning three decades, Venezuelan composer and performer Frank Quintero has released 30 records, most of them gold- and platinum-certified. Born to a musical family, Frank began playing drums at the age of ten. He studied classical music in Caracas and percussion at Boston's Berklee College of Music, landing his first recording contract with PolyGram in 1976 at the age of 18.

Frank has created an impressive catalogue as a songwriter; artists such as Christian Castro, Gilberto Santarosa, Ricardo Montaner and Pandora have recorded over 150 of his songs. His composition "La Dama de la Ciudad" was included on keyboardist/composer/producer Don Grusin's 2005 Grammy-nominated live CD The Hang.

Jacob Groten started playing the piano at the age of five. By ten he was writing original music, and at the ripe age of 17, Warner Chappell offered him a publishing deal. Having just turned 19, Jacob is working on his debut album with Grammy Award-winning producers Sebastian Krys and Dan Warner.

Jacob has performed on albums for Latin Grammy Award-winner and six-time Grammy nominee Obie Bermudez, has recorded with Universal Music artist Jeremias, and has been invited to write with TVT recording artist Ina. He is also an accomplished actor who helped write, produce, and act in original plays and musicals at the Lovewell Institute for the Creative Arts in Florida.

Born in Bainbridge Island, WA, Micah Wolf has led a nomadic lifestyle. His mother's adventurous spirit found them living in numerous locations throughout North America, a coastal town in Mexico, and with a traditional Cree Indian family in Canada. They eventually became permanent fixtures in Hawaii. It was these unique experiences that helped shape Micah's creativity and outlook on life, which he then poured into his music.

Micah recorded his self-titled debut album, Micah Wolf, in 2006. In the spirit of DIY, Micah, with the help of some friends, constructed his own studio to record and produce the music. Friends also handcrafted the guitars and stand-up bass that are featured on the album. Micah then started his own record label, Blockplane Records, to distribute the album.

Professional skier Bryon Friedman has taken some of the most beautiful yet challenging mountains in the world — while carrying his guitar the entire way. After suffering a leg injury in the 2005 World Cup downhill in Chamonix, France, Byron took a hiatus from the competitive sport to focus more on his creative side through music. The result is his debut CD, Road Sodas, which he recorded in his hometown, Park City, Utah.

"Recording this album has been a goal of mine for years but I never found the time because skiing was always my first priority," recounts Bryon. "Since the injury, music has taken precedence — but I hope to be back on the World Cup soon!"

The Acoustic Lounge is one of many opportunities BMI offers artists to showcase their talent in front of their peers and a supportive audience. The atmosphere is relaxed and fun, offering a great opportunity to network with other aspiring and working singer/songwriters. For established writers, it provides a chance to monitor new musical trends and be involved in the grass-roots/DIY musical movement.

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.

Café Tacuba	Robi Draco Rosa

Del Real, keyboardist/songwriter of rock en espa�ol band Caf� Tacuba, earned five nominations including three as part of Caf� Tacuba (Album of the Year and Best Alternative Album for Cuatro Caminos, and Best Music Video for "Eres") and two as a songwriter for "Eres," up for Song of the Year and Best Rock Song.

Akwid	Albita

Cuban piano master Bebo Vald�s earned four nominations including Album of the Year and Best Traditional Tropical Album for his collaborative effort, L�grimas Negras, while the album's title track earned a Record of the Year nod. The octogenarian also received a nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album for We Could Make Such Beautiful Music Together.

Molotov

Songwriter/artist/producer Robi Draco Rosa took home three mentions, while Mexican hip-hop brothers Akwid, Cuban singwr/songwriter Albita and Latin Grammy Award-winning producer/songwriter Gustavo Santaolalla each earned two. Molotov bassist/vocalist Miguel "Mickey" Huidobro also got two nominations for the smash "Hit Me," one as a songwriter for Best Rock Song and another with the band for Best Video.

Other BMI-affiliated Latin stars on the nominees list included Conjunto Primavera, Kinky, Los Tigres del Norte, Ricky Martin, Luis Miguel, Mauricio & Palodeagua, Ozomatli, Soraya and Tanghetto.

BMI's 2004 Latin Grammy Nominees

5 Nominations
Emmanuel Del Real

4 Nominations
Bebo Vald�s

3 Nominations
Robi Draco Rosa
Caf� Tacuba

2 Nominations
Akwid
Albita
Miguel Huidobro
Gustavo Santaolalla

Other Nominees
Mario Adnet
Pepe Aguilar
Alejandro Allen
Andy Andy
Area 305
Ram�n Ayala y Sus Bravos del Norte
Banda El Recodo de Cruz Liz�rraga
Jose Cantoral (SACM)
Conjunto Primavera
Control Machete (SACM)
DJ Kane
Huey Dunbar
Emilio Estefan, Jr.
Jimmy Gonz�lez y Grupo Mazz
Paulo Jobim
An�bal Kerpel
Kinky
Sebastian Krys
Mario Quintero Lara
Limi-T 21
Little Joe & La Familia
Los Tigres del Norte
Ricky Martin
Freddie Martinez
Roberto Mart�nez
Mauricio & Palodeagua
Luis Miguel
Molotov
Fernando Osorio
Ozomatli
Plastilina Mosh
Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto
Lupillo Rivera
Al Schmitt
Jose Serebrier
Itaal Shur
Joyce Silveira Palhan De Jesus
Soraya
Superlitio
Tanghetto
La Tropa F
Andrew Weiss