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.

First breaking into the business as a live sound mixer in northern Spain and the south of France, he translated his affinity for musicians into the studio. "I think that at the end of the day they represent the same craft," he affirms. "The most important skill you develop by being a live sound engineer is the art of knowing what moves people, what techniques convey the emotions you are trying to transmit through the music."

The L.A.-based Sardina believes technical wizardry should be in service to the song. "The lyrics are as important as the music or the production, if not more. The most fundamental way of touching people is through the message."

Recent behind-the-board projects include Mis Romances with Mexican balladeer Luis Miguel, and Mediterraneo with guitarist Marc Antoine. At the invitation of composer/music supervisor Camara Kambon, he worked on the Lions Gate release Madea's Family Reunion starring Tyler Perry. "Camara is a good friend. We go back to my first gigs in L.A. He is an amazingly talented composer and producer, plus it helps that he is a wonderful person," Sardina avows.

Now producing and developing new talent, Sardina first identifies what makes an artist special and then reinforces the strongest points through song selection and songwriting. "It's so important to be very aware of the songwriting/pre-production part of the process," he qualifies. "That's where the magic happens and sometimes those little brilliant moments don't repeat themselves. I always make pre-production the beginning of the recording process; it's where 90 percent of the creativity happens. You have to be there in order to really know the artist and help make the project flourish."]]> 2006-06-25T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/334608 Artists, Bacilos, Banda El Recodo De Cruz Lizárraga, Cachao, Crespo, Elvis, D'Rivera, Paquito, Downs, Lila, Garza, David Lee, Guerra, Juan Luis, Guzman, Joel, Intocable, Juanes, Lee, David, Lins, Ivan, Luna, Lina, Miguel, Luis, Molotov, Ozomatli, Rosas, Johnny Lee, Santaolalla, Gustavo, Sardina, Rafa, Sauceda, Sunny, Vives, Carlos, Awards, Industry Awards, Latin Grammy Awards 6th Annual Latin Grammy Awards, taking home nearly 60% of the night's big awards. Almost 30% of the winners were represented by foreign societies -- such as Spain's SGAE and Mexico's SACM -- and just over 10% was won by members of the other American performing rights organizations.

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

Café Tacuba	Rafa Sardina

Emmanuel Del Real, keyboardist/songwriter of rock en español group Café Tacuba, won two Latin Grammys out of five nominations, including one with the band for Best Alternative Album (Cuatro Caminos), and one as a songwriter for their smash hit "Eres," which was named Best Rock Song.

Other Latin Grammy winners included Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizrraga, Soraya, Jimmy Gonzalez y Grupo Mazz and Bebo Valdés. BMI composers José Serebrier and Paulo Jobim tied for Best Classical Album.

BMI songwriter/artist Carlos Santana, who performed with newcomers Los Lonely Boys, was feted the previous evening as the Latin Recording Academy's Person of the Year. This prestigious award honors the important musical, social and philanthropic accomplishments of leading members of the Latin music community.

BMI's 2004 Latin Grammy winners:

Rafa Sardina
Record of the Year
"No Es Lo Mismo"
Album of the Year
No Es Lo Mismo
Best Engineered Album
No Es Lo Mismo

Emmanuel Del Real (Café Tacuba)
Best Rock Song
"Eres"

Café Tacuba
Best Alternative Music Album
Cuatro Caminos

Fernando Osorio
Best Tropical Song
"Ríe Y Llora"

Bebo Valdés
Best Traditional Tropical Album
Lãgrimas Negras

Soraya
Best Singer-Songwriter Album
Soraya

Albita
Best Contemporary Tropical Album
Albita Llegó

Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizrraga
Best Banda Album
Por Ti

Jimmy Gonzalez y Grupo Mazz
Best Tejano Album
Live En El Valle

Los Tigres Del Norte
Best Norteño Album
Pacto De Sangre

José Serebrier
Best Classical Album (tie)
Carmen Symphony

Paulo Jobim
Best Classical Album (tie)
Jobim Sinfônico

Robi Draco Rosa
Best Music Video
"Mas y Mas"