BMI 9th Annual Latin Awards Set For May 8th

MIAMI (Top40 Charts) - 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 8th 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 Espa�ol 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.