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.

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.

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.

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.

BMI writers receive a 15% discount off the standard one-year membership fee of $50. Dues-paying members receive the following exclusive benefits:

• the opportunity to vote (with the exception of Associate Members) in SHOF's annual fall elections to determine who will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame the following spring
• the chance to participate in members-only showcase and workshop programs
• a subscription to "Words About Music," the newsletter of SHOF/NAPM
• quarterly NAPM events fliers with information about networking meetings and open mics
• an invitation to the annual SHOF Awards Dinner held each year.

To be entered in the drawing, sign up for membership now through the "Platinum Privileges" zone in the online services area.

BMI has played a vital role in the development and growth of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the list of BMI songwriting greats honored by the organization includes Chuck Berry, Dave Bartholomew, Fats Domino, Felice & Boudleaux Bryant, Pete Seeger, Carole King, Sting (PRS), Barry Manilow, Queen, Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, Emilio & Gloria Estefan, Eric Clapton (PRS), Paul Simon, Brian Wilson, Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff, Holland-Dozier-Holland and Barry, Maurice & Robin Gibb.

The National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters Hall of Fame was founded in 1969 by songwriter Johnny Mercer and publishers Abe Olman and Howie Richmond. The NAPM/SHOF is also devoted to the development of new songwriting talent through workshops, showcases and scholarships.

BMI today announced that multiple Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Carlos Santana will be honored as a BMI Icon at the music performing right organization's 12th annual Latin Awards. The dinner and ceremony will be held April 21 at The Ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas, the first time the awards will be held in that city.

Santana will be the first songwriter honored as a BMI Icon at the company's Latin Awards. The designation is given to a creator who has been a "unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers." He joins a distinguished list of previous BMI Icons, including pop songwriting master Brian Wilson; R&B legends James Brown, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Isaac Hayes and Al Green; Motown songwriting trio Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland; blues/rock/soul artist Van Morrison, and country songwriter/artists Loretta Lynn, Bill Anderson and Dolly Parton.

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 approximately 4.5 million musical works from around the world. A Latin Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Publisher of the Year will be announced during the evening. Winners from previous years include Ramon Ayala, Intocable, Shakira, Estefano, Ramon Gonzalez Mora, Emilio & Gloria Estefan, Juanes, Luis Miguel, Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Los Tigres del Norte, Banda Recodo, Juan Luis Guerra and Lupillo Rivera.

According to Diane Almodovar, BMI Assistant VP of Latin Music: "When we created our awards 12 years ago we intended to bring them to each of the major U.S. Latin markets. Our intent holds true. Las Vegas is known for its diversity, and we are very pleased to bring BMI's premiere Latin event there."

The black-tie, invitation-only awards have previously been staged in California, Florida, Texas and Puerto Rico.

Juanes	Ricky Martin	Celia Cruz

Colombian superstar Juanes took home three awards including the prestigious Songwriter of the Year title, as well as Latin Pop Airplay Track of the Year/Duo and Hot Latin Track of the Year/Vocal Duo for "Fotografia," a duet with Nelly Furtado. Ricky Martin, who also won three awards, took home the Latin Pop Album of the Year trophy for Almas del Silencio, his first Spanish-language album in five years. Lead single "Tal Vez" was honored as Hot Latin Track of the Year and Latin Pop Airplay Track of the Year.

Akwid	Conjunto Primavera

The late Celia Cruz was named Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year for her final studio album, Regalo del Alma. Released a few weeks after her death last July, she recorded the set during the last stages of her battle with cancer.

"It's an outstanding achievement for Celia Cruz to be named Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year...an honor that is a splendid acknowledgement of her lifetime of creative achievement," said BMI President and CEO Frances Preston. "Celia distilled the magic, passion and exuberance of Latin music into every note she sang."

Regalo del Alma also earned the legendary artist an award for Tropical Album, Female, and her Hits Mix won Top Latin Greatest Hits Album.

Other multiple winners included newcomers Akwid, regional Mexican group Conjunto Primavera and salsa princess India, with two awards each. BMI Mexican group Banda El Recodo was honored with the Billboard Hall of Fame Award, recognizing the band's 65 years of active professional life, and BMI singer/songwriter Soraya was honored with the Billboard Spirit of Hope Award for her work advocating awareness and a cure for breast cancer.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards are determined by the actual sales and radio airplay data from Nielsen SoundScan and Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems that informs Billboard's weekly charts during a one-year period from the issue dated February 15, 2003 through February 7, 2004.

BMI's 2004 Billboard Latin Music Award Winners:

Juanes
Songwriter of the Year
Hot Latin Track of the Year, Vocal Duet: "Fotografia"
Latin Pop Airplay Track of the Year, Duo Or Group: "Fotografia"

Ricky Martin
Hot Latin Track of the Year: "Tal Vez"
Latin Pop Airplay Track of the Year, Male: "Tal Vez"
Latin Pop Album of the Year, Male: Almas Del Silencio

Akwid
Latin Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year: Proyecto Akwid
Regional Mexican Album of the Year, New Artist: Proyecto Akwid

Conjunto Primavera
Hot Latin Tracks Artist of the Year
Regional Mexican Airplay Track of the Year, Male Group: "Una Vez Mas"

India
Tropical Airplay Track of the Year, Female: "Seduceme"
Latin Dance Club Play Track of the Year: "Seduceme/Seduce Me Now" (Remixes)

A.B. Quintanilla III Presents Kumbia Kings
Latin Pop Album of the Year, Duo Or Group: 4

Fabian Gomez
Regional Mexican Airplay Track of the Year, New Artist: "Y Como Quieres Que Te Quiera"

Gloria Estefan
Latin Pop Airplay Track of the Year, Female: "Hoy"

Grupo Montez De Durango
Regional Mexican Album of the Year, Male Duo or Group: De Durango A Chicago

Jennifer Lopez
Latin Dance Single of the Year: "I'm Glad" (Paul Oakenfold Remix)

Jorge Luis Cabrera
Regional Mexican Airplay Track Of The Year, Male Solo Artist: "Quedate Callada"

Luis Miguel
Latin Tour of the Year

Ozomatli
Latin Rock/Alternative Album of the Year: Coming Up (EP)

Tiziano Ferro (SIAE)
Latin Pop Airplay Track of the Year, New Artist: "Alucinado"

Pictured in the Attorney General's office after the press conference are ASCAP's Jim Steinblatt, the Recording Academy's Daryl Friedman, the R&B Foundation's Judy Tint, Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, and BMI's Frances Preston and Fred Cannon. photo © 2004 BMI

"As a result of this agreement, new procedures will be adopted to ensure that the artists and their descendants will receive the compensation to which they are entitled," Spitzer said.

The participating companies include Sony Music Entertainment, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Warner Music Group, UMG Recordings, Universal Music, EMI Music Publishing, EMI Music North America, BMG Songs, Careers-BMG Music Publishing, BMG Music and the Harry Fox Agency.

Click here for a list of contacts from participating companies

In addition, each company has agreed to have the heads of their royalty, accounting and legal departments meet regularly to review the status of royalty accounts and take steps to improve royalty payment procedures. They have also agreed to comply with New York State's Abandoned Property Law, which requires that if an artist or his or her family cannot be found, unclaimed royalties be "escheated" or turned over to the state. The state then holds these monies until a claim is made.

Since the investigation began two years ago, more than $25 million has already been returned to those who were owed funds. An additional $25 million is expected to be distributed as part of this settlement.

Some of BMI's biggest songwriter/artists are among those who are owed royalties, including David Bowie, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and Gloria Estefan.

Earlier this year, BMI made a similar move urging songwriters and composers to keep their addresses up-to-date to ensure that they receive royalty payments.]]> 2004-05-04T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/musicworld/entry/233920 Artists, Estefan, Gloria, Estefano, Pires, Alexandre, Musical Styles, Jazz, Latin, Pop, Musicworld, Hitmaker, Type, International From the Afro-Caribbean blocos of Bahia to the sophisticated jazz of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with its massive geography and multi-ethnic makeup, is home to a wealth of musical cultures. International pop sensation Alexandre Pires is taking it one step further: Already an icon in his homeland, Pires has reached out to Spanish-speaking music lovers with stunning results. Nominated for two 2003 Latin Grammys (Album of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Album), Estrella Guia is on track to propel the sultry singer's career worldwide. Duets with hitmakers including Spain's Alejandro Sanz and Rosario widen the appeal and a winning roster of producers -- Emanuel Ruffignengo, Estefano, Juan Vicente Zambrano, Danilo Ballo, Rudy Perez and Pedro Ferrerira -- has brought the music to life in recording studios in Europe, the United States and Brazil.

Pires (born Alexandre Pires do Nascimento) inaugurated his professional career in the late '80s with a local band named Só Pra Contrariar. The group climbed steadily from their 1993 self-titled debut to 1997, when they became a top charting act, selling in excess of 10 million records. In 1999, Só Pra Contrariar recorded an album in Spanish titled Juegos de Amo, featuring "Santo Santo," with Gloria Estefan. The two musical forces first met in Monaco when Estefan presented a World Music Award to the band.

Certainly, his televised duet with American Idol Kelly Clarkson on the 2003 Latin Grammy Awards has presented Pires to an even broader worldwide audience, but Estrella Guia reflects the spiritual side of the artist as well, with a transcendent suite of songs destined to project his career into the stratosphere.]]> 2003-12-08T17:00:00-05:00