BMI held its 15th annual Latin Music Awards Thursday, June 12 at the Beverly Wilshire in Los Angeles. Esteemed composer and producer Gustavo Santaolalla was named a BMI Icon; Juan Luis Morera Luna and Llandel Veguilla Malavé, better known as reggaetón duo Wisin & Yandel, and singer/songwriter Espinoza Paz comprised the three-way tie for Latin Songwriter of the Year; “De Rodillas Te Pido” garnered Song of the Year honors for writer José A. Sosa; and Editora Arpa Musical received the Latin Publisher of the Year crown. Hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and Assistant Vice President, Latin Music, Delia Orjuela, the black-tie dinner also touted the writers and publishers of the past year’s 50 most-performed Latin songs on U.S. radio and television.

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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 paid 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.

Chart-dominating reggaetón duo Wisin & Yandel and charismatic troubadour Espinoza Paz shared the prestigious Latin Songwriter of the Year title. The win marks the second consecutive Songwriter of the Year crown for Wisin & Yandel’s Juan Luis Morera Luna and Llandel Veguilla Malavé. Three of the co-writing pair’s infectious hits rested comfortably on BMI’s most-performed list: “Noche De Entierro (Nuestro Amor)” (Los Benjamins featuring Wisin & Yandel, Daddy Yankee, Héctor "El Father,” Tonny Tún Tún and Zion), “Pam Pam” (Wisin & Yandel) and “Pegao” (Wisin & Yandel featuring Los Vaqueros). Mexican singer/songwriter Espinoza Paz earned his first Songwriter of the Year trophy by also contributing three songs to the top 50: “Mil Heridas” (Banda Cuisillos), “Prohibido” (El Coyote y su Banda Tierra Santa) and “Te Compro” (Duelo).

“De Rodillas Te Pido” earned BMI Latin Song of the Year honors for award-winning songwriter José a.k.a. “Pepe” A. Sosa. Published by Siempre Music and recorded by renowned group Alegres de la Sierra, “De Rodillas Te Pido” shot to the top slot of Billboard’s Latin Regional Mexican Airplay Chart and reached the Hot Latin Tracks’ top ten ranks. The combination of José A. Sosa and Alegres de la Sierra proved potent, as Sosa also took home an award for composing the band’s hit “Y Si Volviera A Nacer.”

With the highest percentage of copyright ownership of the year’s most-performed songs, Editora Arpa Musical garnered the Latin Publisher of the Year crown. Hits including Mariano Barba’s “Aliado Del Tiempo”; La Banda Pequeños Musical’s “Reencuentro” and “Me Encantaría”; El Chapo de Sinaloa’s “Detrás De La Puerta”; and Songwriter of the Year Espinoza Paz’s compositions catapulted Editora Arpa Musical to the top.

The ceremony also featured the presentation of the BMI Foundation's fifth annual peermusic Latin Scholarship to Boston’s Simmons College student Daniela Blau. The 21 year-old Costa Rica native will receive a $5,000 scholarship for her song “Y Si No Lo Sabes.” Established by the BMI Foundation and funded by the generosity of Ralph Peer II and the peermusic companies, the scholarship is awarded annually through a competition for original Latin songs and instrumental compositions. The 2008 competition was open to college students between the ages of 16 and 24 currently attending school throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

BMI also honored beloved Mexican troupe La Banda El Récodo with a commemorative plaque celebrating the prolific group’s 70th anniversary. Recognized as the first recorded banda, La Banda El Récodo also ranks among the most eclectic, combining Latin dance, jazz and classical music to produce an inimitable sound.

Premier Latin songwriters Manuel Eduardo Castro (SACM), Agustín Cejudo, Edgar Cortázar, Héctor Delgado "El Father,” Cuauhtémoc González García, Don Omar, Luis "Louie" Padilla and Julieta Venegas (SGAE) took home two awards each. Additional big winners included Mariano Barba for “Aliado Del Tiempo”’s second award; Ramón González Mora for “Voy A Llorar Por Ti”; Adrián Pieragostino for “Me Duele Escuchar Tu Nombre”; Kike Santander for “¿Quién Me Iba A Decir?”; Sergio Vallin for “Bendita Tu Luz”; and Luigi Giraldo and A.B. Quintanilla III for “Chiquilla.”

Publishers claiming two or more songs among the top 50 were Universal Music Publishing Group (Universal Music-Careers/Universal-Música Unica Publishing/Universal Music Publishing SA [SGAE]); EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.; SER-CA Publishing, Inc.; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.; Máximo Aguirre Music Publishing, Inc.; Blue Kraft Music Publishing; Crown P. Music Publishing; Peer Music Group (Peer International Corp./peermusic III, Ltd.); and Rompediscoteca Music Publisher.

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.

Latin rock superstar, Juanes noted the contest's importance in supporting and encouraging young Latin musical talent. "This contest is an amazing opportunity for young composers/lyricists to compete against the best talent in the USA and Puerto Rico and earn money to further their education. I am glad to be a part of something that promotes and celebrates the emergence and growth of Latin musical talent," he sais.

According to Porfirio Pina, Director of the competition, the program is open to students between the ages of 16 and 24 who are enrolled in any college or university located in the United States and Puerto Rico. All words and music must be original. The postmark deadline for entries is February 8, 2008. Competition rules and applications are available online at www.bmifoundation.org.

Founded by Ralph S. Peer in 1928, peermusic is a global network of music publishing companies operating from 33 offices in 27 countries. With well over a quarter of a million titles in the company's catalogue, and songs that vary from country, blues, jazz and pop to Latin, concert and rock 'n' roll, peermusic is the largest privately owned company of its kind in the world.

The BMI Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation founded in 1985 to support the creation, performance, and study of music through awards, scholarships, commissions and grants. Tax-deductible donations to the Foundation come primarily from songwriters, composers and publishers, BMI employees and members of the public with a special interest in music. Because both the Foundation staff and the distinguished members of the Advisory Panel serve without compensation, over 95% of all donations and income are used for charitable grants.

An annual series, “BMI PRESENTS: Latin Music Showcases” will also be held on July 11 (“Verano Alternativo,” rock and alternative rock), September 10 (“Noche Bohemia,” acoustic singer/songwriter) and November 19 (“Al Otro Lado Del Hip-Hop,” Latin/urban). Each event will focus on a different genre of music in the Latino musical landscape and will be held at S.O.B.’s

“Latin music is one of the fastest growing segments in the music business,” said Porfirio Pina, BMI’s Director, Latin Music, New York. “This series showcases some of the most diverse artists and songwriters in New York as well as the world. It’s an opportunity for the industry and public to discover new talent and get hooked on some of the most engaging new artists releasing CDs and music today.”

The U.S. leader in Latin music, BMI represents such Latin songwriters as Shakira, Los Tigres del Norte, Ricky Martin, Juan Luis Guerra, Carlos Santana, Juanes, composer Gustavo Santaolalla, Café Tacuba and many others.

About the bands:

TAXI AMARILLO (yellow cab) - Young Latino duo Cruzmonty and Chris Hierro are creating a unique blend of r&b, soul, salsa, rock, pop and hip-hop. Cruzmonty and Chris were brought together by what some may consider fate. One night as Chris performed at Mirage, a popular nightclub in the Bronx, Cruzmonty sat with his manager in the audience, completely taken aback by what he heard and amazed at how much he could relate to Chris’s musical style. Within minutes, Cruzmonty’s manager arranged to get his artist onstage for a duo with Chris and what happened next was perfect musical chemistry. Once offstage, the two soon became inseparable, endlessly collaborating on lyrics and melodies over the next few months. With lyrics that will move you, voices that will elevate you, and a style that will blow you away, one thing is for sure: You will never be the same once you go on a ride with Taxi Amarillo.

THALISHA - A talented young singer/songwriter who melds the influences experienced growing up as a true urban Latina, Thalisha hails from Washington Heights, New York and her passion for life is her music. Winner of the 2003 Underground Music Awards for Best R&B Female, Thalisha embodies all the elements needed for success in today’s ever-changing music marketplace. Her versatility as a singer/songwriter has garnered her the opportunity to work alongside the same producers who have generated hits for r&b elite Beyonce and Mary J. Blige, and legendary Latin producers who have created hits for acts like Proyecto Uno, Huey Dunbar, Jelly Bean, Shaggy, Notorious B.I.G. and Tito Nieves. Thalisha is already making noise on her U.S. turf and now has a presence overseas. She currently has a song released in France with Barclay/Universal-France recording artists Relic.

FRANCISCO SALICRUP - A singer/songwriter born in La Isla Del Encanto, Puerto Rico from Dominican and Puerto Rican parents, then later raised in the heart of Boston. This young blood captured the attention of the music industry and stole the hearts of fans when he landed on “Objectiva Fama,” the Latin American version of “American Idol” in 2005. Musical influences include singers with true Latin soul, such as Grammy Award crooner Marc Anthony. Francisco merges the influences of salsa, r&b, soul, house, hip-hop and reggae. He feels that to be a singer in this day in age, one must be able to provide entertainment for both teenagers and adults. He loves to sing salsa, bachata, and r&b, but realizes that music is forever changing, so he is open to exploring different genres.

SONIDO SECRETO - This act was once categorized as a blend of grunge and psychedelic rock with subliminal sound effects and samples. As the band went through several line up changes, its sound evolved into a more progressive rock approach, with classic rock, hard rock and blues influences. Sonido Secreto released its first album, Eternal Jam, in April of 2005. Eternal Jam is a psychedelic rock/blues trip of four songs clocking 50 minutes, in total. The long-awaited first full-length album, Voodoo Sonico, is due out in the summer of 2007. Voodoo Sonico would satisfy any rock fan with its mixture of blues, hard rock, psychedelic rock, grunge rock and pop rock. This production will also be Sonido Secreto’s first bilingual album and the first release on Guasabara Records. Live performances are highlighted by the use of abstract visuals, which are conceived by the band.

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.

Famed Latin rock superstar, Juanes, is proud to stand behind a contest that supports and encourages young Latin musical talent. "This contest is an amazing opportunity for young composers/lyricists to compete against the best talent in the USA and Puerto Rico and earn money to further their education. I am glad to be a part of something that promotes and celebrates the emergence and growth of Latin musical talent," says Juanes.

The 2007 competition is open to students between the ages of 16 and 24 enrolled in any college or university in the United States and Puerto Rico. All words and music must be original. The postmark deadline for entries is Jan. 13, 2007. Click here for competition rules and applications.

Founded by Ralph S. Peer in 1928, peermusic is a global network of music publishing companies operating from 33 offices in 27 countries. With well over a quarter of a million titles in the company's catalogue, and songs that vary from country, blues, jazz and pop to Latin, concert and rock 'n' roll, peermusic is the largest privately owned company of its kind in the world.

The BMI Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation founded in 1985 to support the creation, performance, and study of music through awards, scholarships, commissions and grants. Tax-deductible donations to the Foundation come primarily from songwriters, composers and publishers, BMI employees and members of the public with a special interest in music. Because both the Foundation staff and the distinguished members of the Advisory Panel serve without compensation, over 95% of all donations and income are used for charitable grants.]]> 2006-10-12T05:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/334965 Blunt, James, Brown, Chris, Bryant, Del, Carey, Mariah, Foxx, Jamie, Garrett, Sean, Jersey Boys, Juanes, Keith, Toby, Kelly, R., Korn, Lil Jon, Linkin Park, Ne-Yo, Neptunes, The, Nickelback, Pink, Reyli, Rihanna, Shakira, Snoop Dogg, Urban, Keith, Venegas, Julieta, West, Kanye, Wyner, Yehudi, International, Licensing, New Media, Hitmaker BMI this week posted revenues (excluding Landmark Digital Services, LLC) of more than $779 million for its fiscal year 2005-2006, which ended June 30. The figure represents an increase of 7 percent over the previous year, it was announced by Del Bryant, President & CEO of BMI. The revenues resulted in royalties for distribution to BMI-affiliated songwriters, composers and publishers of $676 million, an increase of 8.2 percent over last year. These results represent the largest performing right income of any copyright organization in the industry.

"I am particularly pleased that our tradition of technology leadership and consistent attention to cost control have permitted us to deliver an ever-larger proportion of our licensing income to the songwriters, composers and copyright owners we represent," Bryant said in making the announcement. Operational expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased from 14.2 percent to 13.2 percent, the lowest in BMI's history and among the lowest of the world's major copyright organizations.

Although total license fees from traditional analog media continued to increase, revenues from cable, satellite, the Internet and other digital media surged ahead. Cable and satellite revenue grew by $24 million and now represents more than 17 percent of the company's total. New media revenues grew to more than $16 million, an increase of 35 percent over the prior year. International revenues also hit a new high at $204 million, and general licensing income, from tens of thousands of bars and restaurants, retail, and service establishments, increased 12 percent over the prior year to more than $86 million.

BMI's revenues are attributable to the diversity, scope and popularity of the music created by the more than 300,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers that the company represents. These songwriters transcend global boundaries and have broad international appeal, and include such acts as Mariah Carey, the Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Shakira, Toby Keith, R. Kelly, Linkin Park, Juanes, Keith Urban, Gnarls Barkley, Korn, Don Omar and Pink, as well as top urban songwriters/producers including Lil Jon, the Neptunes, Snoop Dogg, Sean Garrett, multi-Grammy Award winner Kanye West, T.I., Jamie Foxx, and newcomers Ne-Yo and Chris Brown.

Through reciprocal agreements with foreign societies, BMI also represents such international chart-toppers as British breakout artist James Blunt (PRS) ["You're Beautiful"], Canadian rock group Nickelback (SOCAN), and Latin sensations Julieta Venegas (SGAE) and Reyli (SACM).

BMI film and television composers enjoyed impressive success, contributing music to 78 percent of all network primetime television shows and 24 of the 25 top-grossing films released during the fiscal year. BMI songwriters were awarded the majority of the Grammy and CMA awards, the Blues Awards and the Downbeat Jazz Poll. BMI classical composer Yehudi Wyner won the Pulitzer Prize in music, and Broadway celebrated the music of BMI songwriters with the multiple Tony-winning hit, Jersey Boys.

Pictured at the reception are BMI's Delia Orjuela, Senior Director, Latin Music; Catherine Schindler, Consultant, peermusic; Yvonne Gomez, Creative Director, West Coast and Mexico, peermusic; BMI Songwriter of the Year Juanes; Kathy Spanberger, President & Chief Operating Officer, peermusic; Fernan Martinez, Juanes' manager; and BMI's Barbara Cane, Vice President & General Manager, Los Angeles. Photo by Eddie Sakaki

Juanes earned the top Latin songwriter crown for penning three of the top 50 most-performed BMI Latin songs, the most of any other writer. This trio of consecutive No. 1 singles included "La Camisa Negra," "Nada Valgo Sin Tu Amor" and "Volverte A Ver," bringing his BMI Awards total to over 10. Named one of Time magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World" in 2005, Juanes is a 12-time Latin Grammy winner and has reached the No. 1 spot on the charts throughout the U.S., Latin America and across Europe.