Chavito cut his musical teeth playing local neighborhood parties in his borough, but it took a trip to his ancestral homeland, Puerto Rico, to ignite his musicality. While in San Juan, his brother introduced him to the potent musical stylings of raperos (rappers) Vico C, Ruben DJ, and Wiso G, influences he synthesized with the hard-hitting sounds of his North American favorites, Notorious B.I.G. and Big Pun, when he returned to New York to stake his musical claim.

From hip-hop to reggaeton to dancehall, Chavito’s songs — party tales, street-life dramas, and daily struggles — are hard hitting and provocative. As an opening act, he has been featured on bills with Daddy Yankee, Nicky Jam, Alexis Y Fido, Tego, Pitbull, Zion Y Lennox, and Akon and has rocked stages at venues like the Hammerstein Ballroom, Club Spirit and Club Exit, attracting the attention of media giants Telemundo and Sprint Radio, and enticing Red Bull to lend sponsorship support.

A series of mixtapes and regular plays by DJ Tony Touch introduced Chavito to radio audiences. Next, Chavito recorded a reggaeton remix of Latin pop sensation Thalia on her single “Un Alma Sentenciada.” Chavito has now teamed up with famed producers Cool & Dre, Young Lord and reggaeton heavyweight Nely to produce his debut album.

In Puerto Rican slang, the term “chavito” means “youngster.” For the New York-based artist, it translates into an someone emerging into major musical manhood.

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.

Shakira	Julieta Venegas	Calle 13

The Colombian pop sensation collected five nominations in all, including Record of the Year, Best Short Form Music Video and Song of the Year -- a songwriting award -- for "La Tortura," as well as Album of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Album for Fijacion Oral Vol. 1. The mega-selling Spanish-language CD, which took home a Grammy for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album earlier this year, also earned a Best Engineered Album nod for Gustavo Celis, who is himself up for three Latin Grammys.

Ricky Martin	Gustavo Celis

Mexican singer/songwriter Julieta Venegas (SGAE) came away with a total of four nominations and will compete against Shakira in the Record of the Year and Best Short Form Music Video categories with her song "Me Voy," and for Album of the Year with Sal y Limon, which is also up for Best Alternative Album.

Richie Ray & Bobbie Cruz	Cesar Camargo Mariano

Puerto Rican reggaeton duo Calle 13, made up of half-brothers Eduardo Jose Cabra and Rene Perez, won nominations for Best New Artist and Best Urban Music Album for their self-titled CD; they picked up a third nomination for Best Short Form Music Video for their song "Atrevete te te."

Taking home two nominations apiece were In�s Gaviria, Mauricio Guerrero, Luis F. Ochoa and Caf� Tacuba, who joins Venegas in the fight for the Best Alternative Album crown.

Other BMI songwriters and artists who made the Latin Grammy nominees list include Paquito D'Rivera, Pepe Aguilar, Humberto Gatica, Los Hor�scopos De Durango, Gustavo Santaolalla, Wisin y Yandel, Don Omar, A.B. Quintanilla III y Los Kumbia Kings, Graciela Beltr�n and Kike Santander, to name a few.

Latin pop singer Ricky Martin will be honored the night before the Latin Grammy ceremony (on Nov. 1) as the Latin Recording Academy's Person of the Year during a special star-studded tribute dinner and concert at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers. A portion of the evening's proceeds will benefit Martin's charitable efforts.

Also in the spotlight are Cesar Camargo Mariano and Richie Ray & Bobbie Cruz, who will each receive the 2006 Latin Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award at a special ceremony to be held Nov. 1 at New York's historical Rainbow Room.

The 7th Annual Latin Grammy Awards will be broadcast live on the Spanish-language Univision Network from 8-11 p.m. ET/PT.

BMI's 2006 Latin Grammy Nominees:

Pepe Aguilar
Ramon Ayala y Sus Bravos Del Norte
Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizarraga
Ana Bárbara
Belanova
Graciela Beltrán
The Black Eyed Peas
Café De Los Maestros
Café Tacuba
Calle 13
Michel Camilo
Hector Castillo
Gustavo Celis
Ciclón
Edgar Cortazar
Ernesto Cortazar
Javier Diaz
DJ Kane
Paquito D'Rivera
John M. Falcone
Humberto Gatica
Javier Garza
Inés Gaviria
Gilberto Gil
Jimmy González y Grupo Mazz
Mauricio Guerrero
Los Horóscopos De Durango
India
Melina León y Los Tri-O
Ivan Lins
Las 3 Divas
Limi-T 21
Little Joe y La Familia
Cachorro López
Freddie Martinez, Sr.
Tony Maserati
Lester Mendez
Motel
Luis F. Ochoa
Don Omar
Bernando Ossa
Eddie Palmieri
Chichi Peralta
Freddy Piñero, Jr.
Polbo
Carlos Ponce
Pesado
A.B. Quintanilla III y Los Kumbia Kings
Lupillo Rivera
Kike Santander
Gustavo Santaolalla
Jovino Santos Neto
Lalo Schifrin
Servando y Florentino
Joel Someillan
Shakira
Thalia
Los Tigres Del Norte
René L. Toledo
Bebo Valdés
Julieta Venegas (SGAE)
Jason Villaroman
Wisin y Yandel
Marcos Witt

LIFETIME ACHIEVMENT AWARDS
Cesar Camargo Mariano
Richie Ray & Bobbie Cruz]]> 2006-10-04T05:00:01-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234421 Ayala, Ramon, Branch, Michelle, Brown, James, Bryant, Del, Conjunto Primavera, Estefan, Emilio, Estefan, Gloria, Estefano, Game, The, Hayes, Isaac, Intocable, Juanes, Leo, Lopez, Jennifer, Morrison, Van, Ozomatli, Parton, Dolly, peermusic, Quintanilla III, A.B., Quintero, Mario, Santana, Carlos, Santander, Kike, Shakira, Thalia, Wilson, Brian, Latin, Pop, Rock, International, BMI Latin Awards Ceremony Highlighted by Special Tribute to BMI Icon Carlos Santana

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.

En Español

BMI presented its 11th Annual Latin Awards on March 16 with top honors going to songwriter/producer Estéfano, his publishing company World Deep Music Publishing Corporation and the Conjunto Primavera hit "Perdóname Mi Amor" written by Ramón González Mora. The black-tie ceremony, hosted by BMI President and CEO Frances W. Preston, Executive Vice President Del Bryant, and Assistant Vice President of Latin Music Diane J. Almodovar, honored the top writers and publishers of the most performed Latin songs on U.S. radio and television at the Ritz Carlton San Juan Hotel, Spa and Casino. This is the first time the performing rights organization has held its Latin Awards in Puerto Rico.

Click here for more photos from the Latin Awards

Click here for the Complete Latin Awards Song List

Pictured on stage are BMI Executive Vice President Del Bryant, Ramón Gonzáles Mora, BMI President & CEO Frances Preston, Estéfano, BMI Assistant Vice President Diane Almodovar, and BMI Senior Vice President Phil Graham.

Songwriter/producer Estéfano, who has earned the prestigious title for the last three years in a row, was named BMI Latin Songwriter of the Year once again by placing the most songs on the list of 50, including "Es Por Amor" by Alexandre Pires, "Herida Mortal" and "Vuela Muy Alto" both by Jerry Rivera, "Márchate" by Gisselle and "No Me Enseñaste" by Thalía. He also shared the Songwriter of the Year crown with Marco Antonio Pérez, Mario Quintero, Kike Santander and Shakira at the 2000 awards ceremony.

Estéfano

Ramón González Mora

Rafael Hernandez

Also in the spotlight was Estéfano's World Deep Music Publishing Corporation, named Publisher of the Year with all five of his award-winning songs. This distinguished honor is given to the publisher with the highest percentage of ownership of songs on the most performed list.

Juanes

Kike Santander

Teodoro Bello Jaimes

"Perdóname Mi Amor" ("Forgive Me My Love"), written by Ramón González Mora and published by Seg-Son Music, Inc., earned the Song of the Year trophy as the most performed song on the Latin list. A hit for norteño group Conjunto Primavera, the Latin Grammy-nominated song is one of González Mora's many compositions that brought the veteran band stardom some 20 years into their career. This is González Mora's second Song of the Year win; he also wrote another Conjunto Primavera hit, "Morir De Amor," which earned him the title at BMI's 2001 Latin Awards.

Emilio Estefan, Jr.

Lester Mendez

Mario Quintero

A special musical tribute to the late Rafael Hernandez was presented by Cucco Peña featuring renowned artists Andy Montañez, Rafy Escudero, and Chucho Avellanet who performed a medley of Hernandez's most treasured songs. Considered one of the most important composers of Puerto Rican popular music in the 20th century, Hernandez, who died in 1965, left a legacy of more than 3,000 musical compositions, including such classics as "Lamento Borincano," "Silencio," and "Ausencia." Guests were also treated to a taste of traditional Puerto Rican music with performances by Rondalla Típica Orocoveña and Rikaplena.

Jorge Villamizar

Marco A. Godoy

In addition to Estéfano, other multiple award-winning songwriters included Juanes and Kike Santander with three songs each, as well as Teodoro Bello Jaimes (SACM), Emilio Estefan, Jr., Lester Mendez, Mario Quintero and Jorge Villamizar with two songs each on the most performed list. Publishers earning two or more Citations of Achievement were Apollinaire Music; Careers-BMG Music Publishing, Inc.; Disa Latin Publishing LLC; EMI Music Publishing; Foreign Imported Productions and Publishing, Inc.; Kike Santander Music LLC/Santander Songs; Más Flamingo Music; Mexican Music Copyright, Inc.; peermusic; SER-CA Publishing, Inc.; Songs of Camaleon; Tigres del Norte Ediciones Musicales; Universal Music Publishing Group; and Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

Another of the evening's highlights included the announcement of the winner of the BMI Foundation/peermusic Latin Scholarship. Hailing from Caracas, Venezuela, 21-year-old Berklee College of Music freshman Marco A. Godoy was named the scholarship's first winner for his instrumental piece entitled "My Latin Feel." Established by the BMI Foundation and funded by the generosity of the peermusic companies, the new $5,000 scholarship will be awarded annually through a competition for original Latin songs and instrumental compositions.

Red Lane, Little Milton and Hank Cochran. Photo: Martha Moore

From his early hits as part of The Cochran Brothers duo with Eddy Cochran (no relation) in the 1950s, through his five decades of hits as a songwriter and performer, Cochran is one of Music Row's most respected residents. He was inducted to the Country Music Association's Walkway of Stars in 1967 and to the Nashville Songwriters' Foundation Hall Of Fame in 1974. The recipient of 39 BMI Country and Pop Awards, he remains at the top of his game with recent cuts by Brad Paisley ("Is It Raining At Your House") and Reba McEntire ("If I Had Any Sense At All"). Three of his songs made CMT's 100 Greatest Songs of Country Music list: #7 "I Fall To Pieces," #24 "The Chair" and #39 "Make The World Go Away." "I Fall To Pieces" and "Make The World Go Away" have achieved BMI Million-Air honors for three million performances each.

Juanes

Gustavo Santaolalla

Shakira

Earning four nominations each were BMI producer Anibal Kerpel and BMI Latin rock group Molotov for Record of the Year, Best Rock Album by a Duo or Group with Vocal, Best Record Song and Best Music Video, while BMI Latin alternative pop band Bacilos captured three nods. The band's lead singer, BMI songwriter Jorge Villamizar, also earned three mentions.

Thalia

Bacilos

Two-time Latin Grammy Award-winning Colombian songwriter/artist Shakira earned a nomination for Best Rock Song for "Te Aviso, Te Anuncio," while Mexican songwriter/artist Thalía received a nod for Best Female Pop Vocal Album. Other BMI artists receiving nominations included A.B. Quintanilla III, India, Elvis Crespo, Kike Santander, Conjunto Primavera, Paquito D'Rivera, Eddie Palmieri, Los Tucanes De Tijuana, Gilberto Gil and Sebastian Krys.

The Latin Grammy's are awarded by members of the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, which was created by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) in 1997. The awards ceremony is scheduled for September 3 at the American Airlines Arena in Miami; CBS will air the awards live from 9-11 p.m.

BMI's 2003 Latin Grammy Awards Nominees:

5 Nominations
Juanes
Gustavo Santaolalla

4 Nominations
Anibal Kerpel
Molotov

3 Nominations
Miguel Huidobro
Bacilos
Jorge Villamizar
Carlinhos Brown (SACEM)

2 Nominations
Alex Acuña
Elvis Crespo
Paquito D'Rivera
Jimmy Gonzalez Y el Grupo Mazz
India
Luis F. Ochoa
Alexandre Pires
A.B. Quintanilla III
Caetano Veloso

1 Nomination
Alejandro Allen
Atrapado
Banda El Recodo
Gato Barbieri
Conjunto Primavera
Ray Contreras
Ry Cooder
Oscar D'Leon
Iker Gastraminsa
Gilberto Gil
Ramon Gonzalez Mora
Jimmy Greco
Noe Hernandez
Los Hijos Del Sol
Jaguares
Jaime Y Los Chamacos
Sebastian Krys
Alfonso Lizarraga
Joel Lizarraga
Lester Mendez
Luis Miguel
Eddie Palmieri
Pesado
Jay Perez
Freddy Piñero, Jr.
Rabanes (SGAE)
Ruben Ramos & The Revolution
Shakira
Kike Santander
Thalía
Los Terribles Del Norte
Nestor Torres
Los Tucanes De Tijuana]]> 2003-07-29T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/200037 Artists, Diony, Estefan, Emilio, Gil, Gilberto, Juanes, Kinky, Miah, Santana, Carlos, Shakira, Simon, Paul, Thalia, Zaa, Charlie, Musical Styles, Latin, Rock

Opening in the 7 p.m. slot, Diony, a young romantic Salsa singer/songwriter native of Colombia. He began singing at Festivals in his native Barraquilla at a very early age. By 17 he’d written his first song and, two years later, he relocated to the U.S where he stated working with well-known producer Rene Leyva.

Sano-In will be up next with his unique brand of Latin hip-hop. Born in the Dominican Republic he relocated as a child to Spanish Harlem. He uses his multi-cultural background to deliver the hip-hop message in English, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese with sometimes hilarious results. Sano-In has been working with Wu-Tang Clan producer Choco.

Miah (pronounced mee-ah) will close the show. The three sisters [Meylin, Zulay and Mavis] share Latin Soul, Pop, R&B and Rock sensibilities. They first appeared together in Paul Simon’s Broadway production of Capeman and it was Simon who encouraged them to form the group. They have since collaborated with a number of well-known songwriters.

Founded in 1940, BMI is an American performing rights organization that represents more than 300,000 songwriters, composers and publishers in all genres of music, including past and present Latin Grammy winners and nominees such as Juanes, Gloria and Emilio Estefan,. Shakira, Thalia, Gilberto Gil, Carlos Santana, Kinky and Charlie Zaa. Through its music performance and reciprocal agreements with Sister organizations around the world, it grants businesses and media access to its repertore of approximately 4.5 million music works.

Juanes

Shakira

Kike Santander

Thalia

Other top BMI Latin Grammy nominees include Emilio Estefan, Javier Garza, Sebastian Krys, Kenny O'Brien and last year's big winner Juanes, with three nominations each. Circo earned two nods including Best New Artist and Best Rock Album By A Duo Or Group With Vocal for No Todo Lo Que Es Pop Es Bueno. Among those earning one nomination each were Latin divas Shakira and Thalia, as well as Kike Santander for Producer of the Year, Charlie Zaa for Best Traditional Tropical Album and Kinky for Best Rock Album.

BMI's Delia Orjuela (center) congratulates nominees Charlie Zaa and Juanes at the Latin Grammy's press conference.

The 3rd Annual Latin Grammy Awards will be held on September 18 in Hollywood at Kodak Theatre and be broadcast by the CBS Television Network (9-11 p.m. EDT/PDT), carried on radio via the Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation and Westwood One worldwide, and featured on the Internet on GRAMMY.com and America Online, Inc. (AOL Keyword: Latin GRAMMY). Last year's show, scheduled for September 11, was cancelled.

BMI's 2002 LATIN GRAMMY NOMINEES

4 Nominations
Humberto Gatica

3 Nominations
Emilio Estefan
Javier Garza
Juanes
Sebastian Krys
Kenny O'Brien

2 Nominations
Circo

1 Nomination
Atrapado
Ramon Ayala y Sus Bravos Del Norte
William Cepeda
David Lee Garza y Los Musicales
Gilberto Gil
Jimmy Gonzales y El Grupo Mazz
Charlie Haden
Los Huracanes Del Norte
Isidro Infante
Intocable
Kinky
Ivan Lins
Edu Lobo
Israel "Cachao" L�pez
Archie Pe�a
Kike Santander
Shakira
Omar Sosa
Thalia
Bebo Vald�s
Carlos "Patato" Vald�s
Charlie Zaa