April 22, 2002

BMI 9th Annual Latin Awards Set For May 8th

Press Release

MIAMI, April 26, 2002 – BMI, the American performing rights organization, will present its prestigious Latin Awards to the songwriters and publishers of the 50 most performed Latin songs on U.S. radio and television in the company’s repertoire of approximately 4.5 million compositions. The black-tie ceremony is slated for May 8 at the Diplomat Hotel & Resort, Hollywood, FL.

A special achievement award will be presented to Colombian recording artist Juanes. The BMI-affiliated songwriter was nominated for seven Latin Grammy Awards and won three, bringing new attention to the Rock en Español genre.

In addition to Juanes, others expected to attend include Estefano, Pete Astudillo, Jellybean Benitez, Sergio Blass, James De Barba, Odalys Garcia, Rogelio Martinez, Fernando Osorio, El Poder del Norte, Tito Puente Jr., Omar & Adolfo Valenzuela (The Twiins) and many more songwriters, artists and producers.

The Awards, including those for Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Publisher of the Year, will be presented by BMI President & CEO Frances W. Preston and BMI Assistant Vice President/Latin Music Diane J. Almodovar. The dinner is by-invitation-only and is being held during the Billboard Latin Music Conference & Awards 2002 taking place at the Eden Roc Resort.

This is the fourth time the awards have been held in the Miami area. They have also been staged in Los Angeles and San Antonio.

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BMI (Broadcast Music Incorporated) has represented Latin composers, publishers and compositions since its earliest days, including such classic songs as “Besame Mucho” and “Guantanamera,” each with more than 2 million performances. The company currently represents such contemporary Latin songwriters as Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Luis Miguel, Thalia, Charlie Zaa, Robi “Draco” Rosa, Elvis Crespo, Gloria Estefan, Cristian Castro, Juan Luis Guerra, and Lupillo Rivera, to name just a few. Carlos Santana and Richie Valens, the only Latin members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, are represented by BMI.
The company represents approximately 300,000 songwriters, composers and publishers in all areas of music. It collects license fees on behalf of American creators, as well as for thousands of creators from around the world who haven chosen BMI for American representation. The fees for the “public performances” of its repertoire – including radio airplay, broadcast and cable television carriage and live and recorded performances by other music customers, including but not limited to the Internet, cell phone ring tones, restaurants and clubs, retail outlets, music-on-hold, etc. – are then distributed as royalties to the writers and copyright holders BMI represents.

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Contactos:
En Miami:
Betty Del Rio
Top One Entertainment
305-531-3216
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Pat Baird
BMI
212-830-2528
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