Latin Elite Honored At 18th Annual BMI Latin Music Awards

Las Vegas, NV (Top40 Charts/ BMI) Leading U.S. music rights organization Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) honored Latin music's creators during the 18th Annual BMI Latin Music Awards, held tonight at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Master songwriter, producer, and musician Kike Santander received the BMI President's Award, which celebrates his distinct and profound influence on the entire entertainment industry. Horacio Palencia was named Songwriter of the Year, while "Lo Intentamos" earned Song of the Year honors for writer Espinoza Paz and publisher Editora Arpa Musical. Universal Music Publishing Group garnered the prestigious Publisher of the Year crown.

Hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and Delia Orjuela, BMI Vice President, Latin Music, the ceremony also saluted the writers and publishers of the past year's 50 most-performed Latin songs on U.S. radio and television. BMI represents Latin songwriters based in the U.S. and around the globe through reciprocal agreements with sister performing right organizations in the songwriters' home countries.

Three-time BMI Latin Songwriter of the Year Kike Santander has earned 25 BMI Latin Awards. He has received three Latin Grammys including Producer of the Year, and was crowned Billboard Latin Songwriter of the Year in 1999. A brilliant songwriter, producer, arranger, and musician, he has written and/or produced smashes for artists including Alejandro Fernandez, Gloria Estefan, Marc Anthony, Thalia, Cristian Castro, Carlos Santana, Jennifer Lopez, David Bisbal, Chayanne, Nestor Torres, and more. In receiving the BMI President's Award, Kike Santander joins an elite list of past honorees that includes Juanes, Taylor Swift, Emilio and Gloria Estefan, and Willie Nelson.

For a complete list of 2011 BMI Latin Awards winners, please visit www.bmi.com/latin.

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