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.

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

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.

Guerra scored five nominations, including Album of the Year, Best Merengue Album, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Tropical Song, which has he won twice in previous years. In addition, The Latin Recording Academy has named Guerra the 2007 “Person of the Year”.

BMI songwriter/artists Ricky Martin and Calle 13 tied with four nominations each, while Shakira scored a nomination for her “Beautiful Liar” duet with Beyonce.

Martin was nominated for Album of the Year, Best Male Pop Vocal Album, Best Long Form Music Video, and Record of the Year for “Tu Recuerdo (Your Memory)”. Calle 13 received nominations for Album of the Year and Best Urban Music Album for Residente O Visitante, Best Short Form Music Video for "Hay Un Son," and Best Urban Song for "Pal Norte".

Additional BMI songwriter/artists nominated for Latin Grammy’s include Pepe Aguilar, Cristian Castro, Grupo Montez de Durango, Kinky, Panda, Elvis Crespo, Los Horoscopos de Durango, Ivy Queen Graciela Beltran, Oscar D’Leon and Pablo Olivares. The 8th Annual Latin Grammy Awards will be broadcast live on the Univision Network from 8 – 11 p.m. ET/PT.

"The Game of Love" earned the BMI Pop Song of the Year Crystal for songwriter Gregg Alexander and his publishing company Keepin' It Real How 'Bout You Music Publishing; this distinction is given to the song tallying the most feature broadcast performances during the eligibility period. Recorded by Santana featuring Michelle Branch, "The Game of Love" was a #1 single from Santana's Arista album Shaman and has already been certified as a BMI Million-Air (one million broadcast performances). Multi-instrumentalist and producer Alexander won a Pop Award in 1999 for "You Get What You Give," a hit for his former group, the New Radicals. Alexander co-wrote "The Game of Love" with Rick Nowels (share not licensed by BMI).

Brian Wilson	Gregg Alexander	The Matrix

Lauren Christy and Scott Spock contributed three to the Most Performed List of 50 to share the BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year crown. The songs earning Christy and Spock the title were "Complicated" and "I'm With You," both #1 singles for Avril Lavigne, and "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)," recorded by Jason Mraz. Christy and Spock, along with Graham Edwards (PRS), are also known professionally as songwriting/production team The Matrix. Other artists for whom they have written songs are Christina Aguilera, David Bowie, Ricky Martin, Ronan Keating, Liz Phair and Hootie & the Blowfish.

With 11 songs represented, Warner/Chappell Music Group (through its companies Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. and Unichappell Music, Inc.) claimed the BMI Pop Publisher of the Year prize. Les Bider, Chairman & CEO of Warner/Chappell Music Group, accepted the crystal obelisk. The Publisher of the Year accolade is given to the publishing concern with the highest percentage of copyright ownership in award songs. Warner/Chappell's top performing tunes were "Are You Happy Now?," "Crazy In Love," "Complicated," "Dilemma," "I'm With You," "In A Little While," "Mesmerize," "Miss You," "Picture," "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)" and "Soak Up The Sun."

Brian Wilson was saluted as a BMI Icon for his "unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers." One of the most revered pop music creators of the last 50 years, Wilson co-founded the Beach Boys and co-wrote such seminal rock and pop songs as "Good Vibrations," "I Get Around," "God Only Knows," "California Girls," "Help Me, Rhonda" and "Wouldn't It Be Nice," among many others. Collectively with the Beach Boys and individually, he helped to create the sound that defined a generation and painted the picture of the West Coast "surf" sound. His genius is embedded throughout the group's history, but it particularly resonates on their legendary 1966 release, Pet Sounds.

After an Icon video tribute, Fountains of Wayne performed "Be True To Your School," followed by Wilson Phillips - featuring Wilson's daughters Carnie and Wendy - singing "In My Room." Wilson and his band took the stage for several songs, closing with "Good Vibrations."

Wilson enters the elite company of previously praised BMI Icons including Isaac Hayes, Bill Anderson, James Brown, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Dolly Parton, Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Bo Diddley . He is also the first person to be honored by BMI as both an Icon and with the President's Award (in 1995).

Of the 80 songwriters cited, nine were double winners: Sheryl Crow, R. Kelly, Jennifer Lopez, Shania Twain, N.E.R.D.'s Pharrell Williams, Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel and Chris Shiflett, and matchbox twenty's Rob Thomas.

Other writer/artists earning awards were Audioslave, Daniel Bedingfield (PRS), Big Tymers, Michelle Branch, Cam'Ron, Vanessa Carlton, Creed, Eminem, Evanescence, Ja Rule, Kid Rock, Linkin Park, Queens of the Stone Age, Red Hot Chili Peppers, 3 Doors Down, Uncle Kracker, and Unwritten Law.

Publishers garnering three or more awards were EMI Music Publishing (EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc./EMI-Unart Catalog, Inc./EMI-Virgin Songs, Inc.); Careers-BMG Music Publishing, Inc./Zomba Songs Inc.; Universal Music Publishing Group; Dwight Frye Music, Inc.; Mr. Spock Music/Scott Spock Songs; Rainbow Fish Publishing (Christy's company) and Sony/ATV Songs LLC.

"When I'm Gone" by 3 Doors Down enjoyed Most Performed Song on College Radio kudos for songwriters Brad Arnold, Todd Harrell, Chris Henderson and Matt Roberts of the group. Included on 3 Doors Down's Republic/Universal CD Away From the Sun, "When I'm Gone" is published by Escatawpa Songs and Universal-Songs of PolyGram International, Inc.

Another special presentation was the announcement of Andrew Horowitz as the 1st Place winner of the 2004 John Lennon Scholarship Awards. A student at the University of Michigan, Horowitz earned a $10,000 scholarship for his song, "Goodday." Established in 1997 by Yoko Ono in conjunction with the BMI Foundation, the John Lennon Scholarship Awards recognize the talent of young songwriters between the ages of 15 and 24. More than $125,000 has been awarded over the last seven years through generous donations from Ono and Gibson Musical Instruments. The BMI Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to encouraging the creation, performance and study of music through awards, scholarships, commissions and grants.

Five of the 2004 top Pop songs are repeat achievers: "Heaven," first honored in 1985 for writer/artist Bryan Adams; "Landslide," a 1998 Pop Award winner for Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks and the 2003 BMI Country Song of the Year via its recording by the Dixie Chicks; plus last year's winners "Complicated," "One Last Breath" and "Soak Up The Sun."

BMI's Citation of Achievement performance certificates are given annually in recognition of popularity in the field of popular music, as measured by feature broadcast performances on American radio and television. This year's Pop Awards eligibility period ran October 1, 2002 through September 30, 2003.