In English

Gustavo Santaolalla, compositor, productor y ganador de premios Oscar y Grammy será honrado como "Icono de BMI" en la ceremonia anual de premios latinos de BMI, a celebrarse el jueves 12 de junio. Dicho evento tendrá lugar en el Beverly Wilshire de Los Ángeles, en la cual el presidente y CEO de BMI Del Bryant, y la vicepresidenta asistente de la división de música latina de BMI, Delia Orjuela servirán como maestros de ceremonia; en ésta gala formal sólo para invitados también se reconocerá a los compositores y editoras de las canciones latinas con más ejecución el año pasado.

El premio "Icono de BMI" es otorgado a creadores que han demostrado una "influencia única e indeleble en las próximas generaciones de músicos." Mediante un tributo musical estelar se habrá de reconocer los logros de Gustavo Santaolalla, quien se une a la élite de ganadores previos, la cual incluye a grandes exponentes de la música latina como Los Tigres del Norte, Juan Luis Guerra y Carlos Santana, al igual que leyendas como Willie Nelson, Brian Wilson, Isaac Hayes, Paul Simon, Dolly Parton y el fenecido James Brown.

Artista, descubridor de talentos, productor, documentalista y compositor, el genio de Gustavo Santaolalla se expande por numerosas disciplinas. Este hijo de la nación Argentina ayudó a definir el movimiento neonato del rock latino en los años 70 con su innovadora banda de rock Arco Iris, y más tarde como solista. Santaolalla es un maestro del ronroco, un instrumento de cuerdas andino, y ha filmado a varios artistas panamericanos de música folklórica indígena. Su transformación de músico a productor fue inevitable; la unión cultural subsiguiente fue histórica. Junto a su compañero Aníbal Kerpel, unificó las esferas de rock argentino y mexicano, y ganó reconocimiento por su labor de producción en numerosos proyectos de discos de oro y platino. El dúo obtuvo aun mayor visibilidad con el grupo Café Tacuba, cuya colaboración con el dúo Santaolalla/Kerpel produjo no sólo varias nominaciones a los premios Grammy, sino que también logro ganar dicho galardón.

Santaolalla entró triunfante al mundo del cine, donde ha compuesto varias bandas sonoras originales ganadoras de premios BMI, Golden Globe y Oscar para tales películas como Brokeback Mountain y Babel. Su trabajo en Babel y el aclamado Motorcycle Diaries (Diarios de motocicleta) también ganaron premios BAFTA. Mediante la creación de su sello Surco, Santaolalla ha lanzado y fomentado las carreras de varios artistas estelares, incluyendo a la estrella internacional Juanes.

En adición al premio "Icono de BMI", esta ceremonia también premiará la Canción, Compositor y Editor del Año. Entre algunos de los ganadores anteriores de estas categorías podemos mencionar a Juanes, Shakira, Estéfano, Gloria y Emilio Estefan, Wisin y Yandel, Luis Miguel y Cristian Castro.

En Español

Grammy and Oscar award-winning composer and producer Gustavo Santaolalla will become an Icon Thursday, June 12, at BMI's 15th annual Latin Awards. Staged at the Beverly Wilshire in Los Angeles and hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and BMI Assistant Vice President, Latin Music, Delia Orjuela, the black-tie, invitation-only gala will also recognize the songwriters and publishers of the past year's top BMI Latin songs played on American radio and television.

The BMI Icon award is bestowed on creators who have had a "unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers." An all-star musical tribute will pay homage to the achievements of Gustavo Santaolalla, who joins an elite list of past honorees that includes Latin music titans Los Tigres Del Norte, Juan Luis Guerra and Carlos Santana, along with legends Willie Nelson, Brian Wilson, Isaac Hayes, Paul Simon, Dolly Parton and the late James Brown.

Artist, talent scout, producer, documentarian and composer, Gustavo Santaolalla's genius spills over into numerous disciplines. The Argentina-native helped define the nascent Latin rock movement of the 1970's with his innovative Latino folk/rock band, Arco Iris, and later as a solo artist. Santaolalla has mastered Andean string instrument the ronroco and filmed Pan-American, indigenous folk musicians. His transformation to producer was inevitable; the subsequent cultural unification was historic. Along with partner Anibal Kerpel, he united the traditionally separate Mexican and Argentine rock spheres, gaining recognition for production work on numerous platinum and gold-selling projects. The duo achieved a new level of visibility with band Café Tacuba, whose collaborations with Santaolalla/Kerpel garnered multiple Grammy nominations and a Latin Grammy win. Santaolalla triumphantly entered the world of cinema, where he has composed numerous BMI, Golden Globe and Oscar award-winning original scores for films including Brokeback Mountain and Babel. His work on Babel and the critically-acclaimed Motorcycle Diaries also earned BAFTA honors. Through the creation of his label Surco, Santaolalla has also launched and sustained marquee artists, including international star Juanes.

In addition to the Icon tribute, the ceremony will also recognize the Latin Song, Songwriter and Publisher of the Year. Previous honorees include Latin superstars Juanes, Shakira, Estéfano, Gloria & Emilio Estefan, Wisin & Yandel, Luis Miguel and Cristian Castro.

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

Based in Miami and allied with producer Emilio Estefan, Jr., the duo is now branching out into movie projects, including the single “Welcome to my Empire” from the feature Empire and their “Taca Taca,” featured in the film Chasing Papi. They also helmed music chores for Nuevas Voces de America (New Voices of America), a show created by broadcasting powerhouse Telemundo.

Also within the Estefan camp, the brothers have completed work on the new Gloria Estefan album 90 Millas, (90 Miles) with Emilio Estefan, Jr. The concept album — a tribute to Cuban music, from danzon, to rumba, mambo and what is known today as salsa — was two years in the making.

Growing up in Panama, the Gaitán brothers formed their first band, Ipakto, a tropical/Latin music configuration, shortly after high school. In 1997, they were honored as Best New Artist in Panama, and were subsequently selected to represent their country at the prestigious El Festival de la Canción OTI song contest. It was a watershed moment, as they came onto the radar of Estefan, who subsequently invited them to work with him in Miami.

The pair is now emerging as artists in their own right, working under the signature marquee of “Gaitanes.” Encompassing elements of salsa, bachatta and reggaetón, their artist’s debut, Monte Adentro, pays endearing homage to their Panamanian roots as the title track, enlivened by traditional violin, contrasts with “Asi es mi Vida.” Their radio friendly pop sensibilities are evident on “ No Te Vayas Ahora” (in both pop and salsa versions), and the dance-floor fervor of reggaetón remixes designed to pack dance floors from South Beach to South America.

The sound of Gaitanes — their songs, arrangements and productions for other artists — shares joyful rhythms, melodic inventiveness and lyrical hooks. With their sonic celebration, they encapsulate the energy emanating from the Latin music capitol of Miami, paying reverent homage to the history of Latin music while shaping its future.

As a songwriter, Shakira forges her quirky, poetic lyrics into hook-driven Latin anthems. A canny pop sensibility is underscored by hypnotic Middle Eastern rhythms with ancestral roots; legend has it that she first heard the doumbek — a drum that accompanies belly dancing — at her Lebanese father’s favorite restaurant. While these rhythms allegedly inspired her to gyrate on the table to instant acclaim, the nuns at her parochial school were less enthralled with her talents, denying her a spot in the choir because of an insistent vibrato that they declared made her “sing like a goat.”

Fortunately, the professional music industry was more impressed, but initially the record buying public was unmoved. Shakira’s 1991 debut, released when she was only 15 (she had written her first song at age eight), garnered a less-than-stellar response. When the follow-up didn’t fare much better, Shakira returned to finish high school. But eventually experience and tenacity paid off: Powered by “Estoy Aquí”, “¿Dónde Estás Corazón?”, and the song that defined the title, “Pies Descalzos, Sueños Blancos,” her third studio release, Pies Descalzos, caught fire, selling over five million copies, while a remix album, titled simply The Remixes, moved an additional million copies. Her fourth album, ¿Dónde Están Los Ladrones?, produced by Miami mastermind Emilio Estefan, solidified her position as a preeminent Latin artist.

In 2001, Shakira designed the blueprints for her crossover. Collaborating with Gloria Estefan, she wrote and recorded English versions of the tracks from ¿Dónde Están Los Ladrones? and penned new material for the album, titled Laundry Service. Although created for the English-language market, the rock and Spanish dance-influenced album also featured four Spanish songs, including “Que Me Quedes Tú” (That I Have Left You). Laundry Service cleaned up, with more than 13 million sales worldwide, a massive worldwide hit, “Whenever, Wherever,” and singles “Underneath Your Clothes,” “Te Dejo Madrid” (I Leave You Madrid), “Objection (Tango)” and “The One.” The album and its singles substantiated Shakira’s sway in the mainstream North American market.

Shakira also delivered her Spanish greatest hits volume, Grandes Éxitos, in 2002 and won the International Viewer’s Choice Award at the MTV Video Music Awards with “Suerte.” Five additional MTV Video Music Awards followed as the crossover strategy continued; for Aerosmith’s MTV Icon Award, Shakira performed “Dude (Looks Like A Lady)” and she joined Celine Dion, Anastacia, Cher and the Dixie Chicks for “VH1 Divas Live: Las Vegas.” A DVD and ten-track compilation album, Live & Off the Record, was also released in 2004, commemorating Shakira’s “Tour of the Mongoose.”

Following this massive media presence, Shakira retreated from the spotlight until revealing the bilingual Oral Fixation concept. Fijación Oral Vol. 1, with songs in Spanish, was released in 2005 as the lead single, “La Tortura,” featuring Alejandro Sanz, spent a record 25 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart. Selling 157,000 copies in its first week of release in the U.S., it was the highest debut ever for a Spanish-language album. In Latin America, on the day of its official release in Venezuela, it went platinum; in Colombia, triple-platinum, and in Mexico, it was sold-out as the album moved a monumental million units in three days.

Oral Fixation Vol. 2, with songs in English, was released later the same year and sold a resounding eight million copies. Two tracks from the album, “How Do You Do” and “Timor,” sparked controversy, allegedly over themes questioning faith, and the CD cover, revealing Shakira’s considerable physical attributes, also had to be altered in several territories. This sensual side of the artist was equally evident on “Hips Don’t Lie” (with special guest Wyclef Jean), her first number one single on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Charts. Shakira was subsequently awarded the highest number of MTV Video Music Award nominations for the electrifying video that accompanied the song.

With the success of their previous duet, Shakira and Alejandro Sanz once again teamed up for “Te lo Agradezco, Pero No,” featured on Sanz’s El Tren de los Momentos. Tapping another music icon, Shakira released the single “Illegal,” featuring Carlos Santana, a major hit on both the Hot Dance Music/Club Play and Hot Dance Airplay charts and in Europe.

In early 2007, Shakira paired with Beyoncé Knowles on “Beautiful Liar,” from the deluxe edition of Beyoncé’s B’Day. The single soared an unprecedented 91 positions, from 94 to 3, on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, setting the record for the most rapid ascent in the history of the chart.

Another side of Shakira was revealed when she founded Fundación Pies Descalzos, a Colombian charity with special schools for impoverished children. Honored at a United Nations ceremony, she pointedly observed: “Let’s not forget that at the end of this day when we all go home, 960 children will have died in Latin America.” Shakira is also a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and she performed “Whenever, Wherever” and “La Tortura” on the Live 8 benefit concert at the Palace of Versailles, France.

While an immense international presence is confirmation of Shakira’s global stardom, at the heart of her magic are the songs: rich with purpose, promise and personality. In the Arabic language, the two-time Grammy and eight-time Latin Grammy Award-winning singer’s name might be interpreted as either “full of gratitude” or “full of grace.” Either way, it’s the perfect description for an inspiring star of dazzling magnitude.

en español

Los Tigres, who will be saluted that evening with an all-star musical tribute, are being honored as BMI Icons for their “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” They join an elite list that includes such Latin music giants as Juan Luis Guerra and Carlos Santana, as well as music legends Brian Wilson, Isaac Hayes, Paul Simon, Dolly Parton and the late James Brown.

Formed in 1968 and signed to Fonovisa since the 80s, Los Tigres del Norte is the longest-running and most influential norteño music group in the history of the genre. “Los Jefes de Jefes” (“the bosses of the bosses,” the nickname affectionately given to them by their loyal fans) are renowned for their “corridos,” which depict timeless stories of the Mexican people and culture as well as the lives and struggles of Hispanic immigrants in the United States. In their nearly four-decade career, Los Tigres have recorded more than 55 albums, achieved worldwide sales in excess of 32 million copies, filled stadiums, and received critical praise around the globe.

An extensive list of accolades fills the veteran group’s bio, including 22 BMI Latin Awards – highlighted by two consecutive Song of the Year wins (1996’s “Golpes En El Corazón” and 1997’s “Mi Sangre Prisonera”). Demonstrating the legendary group’s continued role as genre leaders, Los Tigres saw a total of six different album titles reach Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart in 2006, including the widely acclaimed Historias Que Contar. This latest chapter in Los Tigres del Norte’s story-telling tradition spent multiple weeks as the No. 1 regional Mexican album in the country, won the 2006 Best Norteño Album Latin Grammy, and recently garnered yet another Grammy nomination for the pioneering group. The role of “Los Idolos del Pueblo” (“Idols of the People” as they are also known) as messengers for the immigrant community will surely continue with the planned late March release of their latest album, set to reach the public just as Los Tigres are honored as BMI Icons.

In addition to the Icon tribute, the 14th Annual BMI Latin Awards will also name a Latin Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Publisher of the Year. Previous honorees include Latin superstars Juanes, Shakira, Estéfano, Gloria & Emilio Estefan, Luis Miguel and more.

After all, how many musical artists have Nobel Prize winners weighing in with praise for them? “Shakira’s music has a personal stamp that doesn’t look like anyone else’s and no one can sing or dance like her, at whatever age, with such an innocent sensuality, one that seems to be of her own invention,” notes her fellow Colombian Gabriel Garcia Márquez. And as one would expect from the writer who took the top honors in literature, he aptly describes Shakira’s appeal to millions around the globe.

Though diminutive in height at a mere 4’ 11” tall, Shakira casts a long shadow across the contemporary music scene. By 2001, her Spanish-language albums had already made her a star in the Latin world and beyond. With the release that year of Laundry Service, her first recording largely sung in English, Shakira leapt into the pantheon of pop superstardom, selling 13 million albums worldwide. And with total sales to date of more than 25 million records, the 28-year-old phenomenon is just getting started.

She was born Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripolli in Barranquilla, Colombia with internationalism in her background as well as her future. Her father is an American of Lebanese descent and her mother a Colombian, and her now-famous first name is Arabic for “woman of grace.”

In her youth, Shakira absorbed both Latin and Arabic music from her parents while also becoming a fan of English language rock and pop. Something of a prodigy, Shakira wrote her first song at the tender age of eight. By the age of 13, she signed a record deal with Sony Music in Colombia, and in 1991 released her first album of original songs, Magia (“Magic”), making a bit of a splash on the Colombian music scene. She also forged a career as an actress on the Colombiantelenovela “El Oasis.”

It was on her 1995 album, Pies Descalzos (“Bare Feet”), that Shakira began to win international fame. Thanks to a powerhouse string of six hit singles, it topped the chart in eight countries and went on to sell a million copies in the U.S. Her 1998 CD, ¿Dónde Están los Ladrones? (“Where Are the Thieves?”), produced by Emilio Estefan, furthered Shakira’s American fame, topping Billboard’s Latin album chart for 11 weeks and yielding a pair of No. 1 Latin chart singles, “Ciega, Sordomuda” and “Tu.”

The following year, Shakira appeared on MTV’s “Unplugged,” breaking language barriers with the network’s first broadcast of a Spanish-language musical performance. The album from the show earned her a Grammy for Best Latin Pop Album and became her third U.S. million seller.

Shakira followed the breakout of Laundry Service with a greatest hits album and a live DVD and CD. In 2003, the single “Suerte” from Laundry Service was named BMI’s Latin Song of the Year.

Meanwhile, Shakira has been using her success to help others. She started a foundation named Pies Descalzos, like her 1995 album, to help Colombian children who have been affected by the political violence in her native land. She was also named a Global Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF in 2003, becoming the youngest person ever to receive that honor.

Not one to rest on her accomplishments, Shakira once again broke new ground in 2005 by releasing two totally different albums: Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 in Spanish and Oral Fixation, Vol. 2 in English. “I did not set out to make two albums when I began the writing process,” she explains. But after penning some 60 songs in both languages, Shakira chose 20 to record for the two releases.

“The albums are totally different from one another,” she explains, “Each has unique songs, melodies, lyrics and musical styles.” And by now, uniqueness is what Shakira’s millions of fans have come to expect.

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'."

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.