Brought together by manager Sandy Roberton (an experienced producer himself), the three were instrumental in developing the multi-million selling sound and style of Lavigne, and won a U.K. Ivor Novello Award for International Song of the Year and a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year for the hit “Sk8tr Boi.” But as much as the team seems to have a lock on what makes a song a hit, Christy admits that “there’s no formula. It’s just something that happens when you are writing a song and you get this good feeling about it.”

Spock also points out that “there’s no set formula on the way we write songs. All three of us bring ideas to the table and decide what’s best. The secret to our success, if anything, is that we are all so different and bring so many things to the table.”

Christy and Edwards hail from England. She had a solo recording career on Mercury Records, but says it “was really to get my songs heard.” Edwards, who is her husband, had played bass for Go West and Adam & The Ants. Spock is from the St. Louis area and studied jazz in college before moving to Los Angeles and meeting up with Edwards in the band DollsHead.

Their name was suggested by Spock not from the hit movie by the same title but to represent a central place where their talents converged and united with the artists with whom they work. “We want to bring people into the studio and motivate them and help them develop what they do,” he explains.

Hits like “The Remedy” (Jason Mraz), “So Yesterday” (Hilary Duff) and “Don’t Bother” (Shakira) as well as “Extraordinary” and “Why Can’t I” for Liz Phair and Lavigne’s “Complicated” and “I’m With You” for Lavigne attest to the gifts that won The Matrix 2004 BMI Songwriter of the Year honors. The trio also produced Korn’s multi-million selling album See You on the Other Side.

The collaboration among the three “is like playing tennis with someone on the other side of the net who’s really good,” likens Christy.

“When the three of us come together, because we are all so different, we don’t really butt heads,” notes Spock. “We all respect one another, and once we reach that middle ground on something we are working on together, we know we are onto something good. It’s like a family thing when we are in a room together.”

The Matrix has also emerged as artists in their own right, releasing their first album in 2008. And as Christy notes, the joy they find in the collaborative process means the three are just getting started after an already notable decade together.

“The great thing is,” she happily reflects, “we still love what we do.”

“I’m putting out fires all over the place,” she laughs.

Born Amanda Gosein in London to a Spanish mother and Indian father, her first musical memory is of Elvis Presley. “The face, the haircut, and the voice – especially the vibrato,” she recalls. “I found that I had a similar vibrato, and came to understand that not everyone could do that.”

Despite “always” wanting to be a singer, she bowed to her parents’ wishes and went to college planning on a degree in journalism. However, nights spent clubbing in London often ended up in recording studios; the first time was in the company of Ian Dench, then the guitarist and principal songwriter for pop act EMF.

“I started singing, and he was, like, ‘Whoa!’” she says. “Here was someone who was a pretty big pop star at the time, and he wanted to work with me, so at age 19, we began writing together.”

Regular gigging led to a record deal with Warner Bros., where despite her penchant for distinctive, punchy pop, she soon found herself adrift. “I languished there for four years, learning exactly how a record label shouldn’t be run,” she declares. “Once the team that had signed me moved on, I got lost in the shuffle – but they were too scared to drop me.”

Ghost began channeling her creative energies into songwriting and, through mutual friends, started writing with a rising singer/songwriter named James Blunt. Together with Sacha Skarbek, they composed two songs for Blunt’s debut album, including international hit “You’re Beautiful.”

“I’d spent years on the road, slugging it out, trying to get people to hear me,” Ghost says. “Then we wrote ‘You’re Beautiful’ basically in an afternoon, and it sold millions of copies and made me millions of dollars. To me, it was, ‘Hold on a sec! The easy stuff is making me money, and the hard stuff is making me miserable!”

From there she connected with Jay-Z, scoring another hit with “Beautiful Liar,” co-written with performers Beyoncé Knowles and Shakira, Dench, and the production/songwriting team Stargate; “Tattoo” for Jordin Sparks; and three songs on Beyoncé’s latest album, I Am …Sasha Fierce.

A track record like that is hard to ignore, and so it was that she was offered the Epic stewardship. “Too often the creatives are not in charge at the labels,” she says. “My team is passionate about music. We understand that a&r is often rubbish at some labels – they may be made up of music fans, but not music makers.”

Thus Ghost is continuing to write for a number of artists, not all of them Sony affiliates. “I try to keep a strict discipline when it comes to writing,” she says. “I usually end up with two or three a week; I’m writing all the time. As an a&r executive, I have to keep up with it to understand what’s happening in the business.”

New songwriting projects include working with Shakira, reggae/hip-hop act Matisyahu, and British r&b act Alexandra Burke. “I’m definitely not giving up my career as a singer,” Ghost says, “but that’s just not in the fast lane for now.”

Then she’s out the door to attend another recording session. “I’m definitely keeping busy,” she understates with a laugh. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

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 featuring Crespo, Jon Secada, Angeles Ochoa, Arthur Hanlon, Anthony Fedorov, Jorge Villamizar, Pitbull, and Fanny Lu paid homage to the achievements of Gloria Estefan, who joins an elite list of past honorees that includes Latin music titans Gustavo Santaolalla, 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.

Gloria Estefan inarguably ranks in the top tier of the world’s most recognizable and beloved performers, but it is her artistic gumption and seamless genre-weaving that has made Estefan one of the world’s most pivotal musical pioneers. From her international breakout success with the Miami Sound Machine to her current award-winning music, Estefan has combined traditional sounds of her native Cuba with infectious pop, dance, and other Latin grooves to create a distinct sound capable of topping charts and uniting people. A longtime BMI songwriter, she has created many of her standards, often alone: solo compositions “Can’t Stay Away From You,” “Cuts Both Ways,” “Si Voy a Perderte,” “Anything for You,” “Words Get in the Way,” and “Here We Are” number among her most performed songs. Also a skilled collaborator, Estefan has co-written her hits including “Coming Out of the Dark,” “Rhythm is Gonna Get You,” “1, 2, 3,” “Live for Loving You,” “Reach,” and “Con Los Años Que Me Quedan,” along with Shakira’s “Whenever, Wherever” and Jon Secada’s “Otro Día Más Sin Verte,” named 1993’s BMI Latin Song of the Year. Her catalog boasts 22 BMI Latin and Pop Awards, along with 11 BMI Million-Air Awards. With her music and life’s soul mate Emilio Estefan, whose unrivaled skills as a producer, musician, and composer have helped shape his wife’s art, Gloria Estefan has sold more than 70 million albums. Three Grammys, four Latin Grammys, numerous MTV, VMA, and Cable ACE Awards, along with a spot on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, line her career, and elite retrospective honors including an American Music Award for Lifetime Achievement, the BMI President’s Award, and the Ellis Island Congressional Medal of Honor have recognized her significance. Following her induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1997, she, along with Emilio, received the organization’s prestigious Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001. An influential proponent of human rights, Gloria Estefan received the National Music Foundation’s Humanitarian of the Year honor as well as the MusiCares Person of the Year title, and, in 2008, was named the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year.

Charismatic troubadour Espinoza Paz earned the prestigious Latin Songwriter of the Year title, underscoring his significant role in the regional Mexican genre’s recent surge in popularity. He contributed a jaw-dropping total of six songs to the most-performed list: El Potro de Sinaloa’s “El Vaso Derrama,” La Auténtica de Jerez Patrimonio Zacatecano’s “La Rata Flaca,” “Olvídame Tú” recorded by Duelo, El Coyote y su Banda Tierra Santa’s “Para Impresionarte,” Banda Cuisillos’ “Perdóname” and “Sobre Mis Pies,” recorded by La Arrolladora Banda El Limón. A native of La Angostura, Mexico, a small town just north of Sinaloa, Paz earned his first Songwriter of the Year trophy last year.

“A Ti Si Puedo Decirte” garnered BMI Latin Song of the Year honors for the song’s composer, Veracruz native Javier Sanroman. Regional Mexican favorite El Chapo de Sinaloa recorded the song for his top-selling album Te Va a Gustar. Published by Siempre Music, the song was also named Regional Mexican Airplay Song of The Year by a male artist at the 2008 Billboard Latin Music Awards.

With the highest percentage of copyright ownership of the year’s most-performed songs, Editora Arpa Musical garnered their second consecutive Latin Publisher of the Year crown. A catalog with hits including La Arrolladora Banda El Limón’s “De Ti Exclusivo,” El Potro de Sinaloa’s “Chuy Y Mauricio,” and all six of Songwriter of the Year Espinoza Paz’s substantial contributions catapulted Guadalajara- and Los Angeles-based Editora Arpa Musical to the top.

The ceremony also featured the presentation of the BMI Foundation's sixth annual peermusic Latin Scholarship to 21 year-old José Luis Rodríguez Enchautegui in recognition of his original composition, “Aunque No Vuelva Amanecer.” A Puerto Rico native and student at Puerto Rico’s Universidad del Turabo, Enchautegui will receive a $5,000 scholarship. 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 2009 competition was open to college students between the ages of 16 and 24 currently attending school throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. For more information on the BMI Foundation, visit www.bmifoundation.com.

Premier Latin songwriter Ramón González Mora and international superstar Juanes took home two awards each. Additional big winners included Wisin & Yandel along with co-writer Nesty for “Sexy Movimiento,” 2006 BMI Icon Juan Luis Guerra for “La Llave De Mi Corazón,” José a.k.a. “Pepe” A. Sosa for “Lágrimas Del Corazón,” Don Omar for “Ayer La Vi,” Edgar Cortázar for “Como En Los Buenos Tiempos,” Flex for “Te Quiero,” and Julieta Venegas (SGAE) for Te Voy A Mostrar.” Crossover songwriting titans Kara DioGuardi, Ben Moody and Sean Garrett, along with legend Lamont Dozier, also took home awards.

Publishers claiming two or more songs among the top 50 were Universal Music Publishing Group (Universal Music-Careers/Universal-Música Unica Publishing/Songs of Universal, Inc.); EMI Music Publishing (EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc./EMI-Virgin Music Publishing SRL [SIAE]/EMI-Virgin Songs, Inc.); SER-CA Publishing, Inc.; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.; Máximo Aguirre Music Publishing, Inc.; Peer Music Group (Peer International Corp./peermusic III, Ltd.); Siempre Music; Seg-Son Music, Inc.; Gar-Mex Music; and Songs of Camaleon.

2009 BMI Latin Awards Award Winning Songs

A Ti Si Puedo Decirte Javier Sanroman Siempre Music El Chapo de Sinaloa Disa Records

Ahora Que Estuviste Lejos Demetrio Vite Hernández (SACM) SER-CA Publishing, Inc. Jenni Rivera Fonovisa Records

Ayer La Vi Eliel Lind Don Omar Crown P Music Publishing Diego VI Music Publisher Don Omar Machete Music

Baila Mi Corazón Ricardo Arreola Palomera Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. Belanova Universal Music Latino

Bastó Miguel Mendoza SER-CA Publishing, Inc. Intocable EMI Televisa

Bella Traición Kara DioGuardi Ben Moody Bug Music Smellslikemetal Publishing State One Music America Belinda EMI Televisa

Brebaje Paco Paniagua Golden Huina Publishing Company, Inc. Toño y Freddy Disa Records

Chuy Y Mauricio José Ontiveros Meza Editora Arpa Musical El Potro de Sinaloa

Machete Music

Como En Los Buenos Tiempos Edgar Cortázar Adrián Pieragostino José Luis Terrazas APA House Of Music Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. Grupo Montéz de Durango

Disa Records

¡Cómo Olvidarte! Ramón González Mora Seg-Son Music, Inc. Linderos Del Norte

A.R.C. Discos

¡Con Tal De Que Me Olvides! Felipe de Jesús, Jr. SER-CA Publishing, Inc. Los Invasores de Nuevo León SER-CA Discos

Cuatro Meses Benjamín Sanchez Mota (SACM) Peer International Corp. Banda Machos Sony Music

Dame Un Beso Valentino SER-CA Publishing, Inc. Intocable EMI Televisa

De Ti Exclusivo Horacio Palencia

Editora Arpa Musical La Arrolladora Banda El Limón

Disa Records

Dímelo Sean Garrett Brian Kidd Dollanaire Publishing Hitco Music Songs of Universal, Inc. Team S Dot Publishing Enrique Iglesias

Interscope Records

Duele Lamont Dozier Kalimba Song Chef Music Publishing Universal Music-Careers Kalimba

Sony Music

El Hombre De Negro Martín Ruvalcaba Gar-Mex Music Los Huracanes del Norte

Fonovisa Records

El Vaso Derrama Espinoza Paz Editora Arpa Musical El Potro de Sinaloa

Machete Music

Enamorado De Tí Humberto Plancarte Farfan Mozote Music Corporation Tierra Cali

Vene Music

Gotas De Agua Dulce Juanes peermusic III, Ltd. Songs of Camaleon Juanes

Surco/Universal Music Latino

Hasta El Día De Hoy Gabriel Flores Máximo Aguirre Music Publishing, Inc. Los Dareyes de la Sierra Disa Records

La Llave De Mi Corazón Juan Luis Guerra Juan Luis Guerra y 4.40

Vene Music

La Rata Flaca Espinoza Paz Cultura Urbana Publishing Editora Arpa Musical La Auténtica de Jerez Patrimonio Zacatecano

Universal Music Latino

Lágrimas De Sangre Nacho Hernández Editora Once Ríos Musical Tigres Del Norte Ediciones Musicales Los Tigres del Norte v Fonovisa Records

Lágrimas Del Corazón José A. Sosa Siempre Music Grupo Montéz de Durango Disa Records

Maldito Texto Eliud Garza Adolfo Valenzuela Omar Valenzuela Los Compositores Publishing peermusic III, Ltd. Twiins House of Music Dinastia de Tuzantla

Vene Music

Me Duele Amarte Taura Lennox Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. Reik Sony Music

Me Enamora Juanes peermusic III, Ltd. Songs of Camaleon Juanes

Surco/Universal Music Latino

Muévelo Garfield Baker Tony Butler Jaime Gomez Cruz Martínez Marcos Sifuentes Byron Smith 321 Music LLC CKJointz Music Nawasha Networks Publishing Sony/ATV Melody Whooping Crane Music, Inc. Cruz Martínez presenta Los Súper Reyes

Warner Music

Nena Elio Aldrighetti (SIAE) Miguel Bosé (SGAE) Vittorio Ierovante (SIAE) EMI-Virgin Music Publishing SRL (SIAE) EMI-Virgin Songs, Inc. Miguel Bosé featuring Paulina Rubio

Warner Music

No Te Veo Vladimir "Dj Blass" Felix Joel "Jowell" Muñoz Randy Ortiz EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc. Leon Blanco Music Publishing Sandunguero Music Pub. Casa de Leones Warner Music

Olvídame Tú Espinoza Paz Editora Arpa Musical Duelo Fonovisa Records

Para Impresionarte Espinoza Paz Editora Arpa Musical El Coyote y su Banda Tierra Santa

Fonovisa Records

Perdóname Espinoza Paz Editora Arpa Musical Banda Cuisillos

Balboa Records

Por Quién Me Dejas Cuco Sánchez (SACM) peermusic III, Ltd. Los Creadorez del Pasito Duranguense de Alfredo Ramírez Disa Records

Porque Te Quiero Javier Manríquez LGA Music Publishing Banda El Récodo

Fonovisa Records

Rumbo Al Sur Ramón Ortega Contreras (SACM) Felipe Valdéz Leal (SACM) EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc. v Los Tigres del Norte

Fonovisa Records

Sexy Movimiento Juan Luis Morera Luna "Wisin" Ernesto Fidel Padilla "Nesty" Llandel Veguilla Malavé "Yandel" La Mente Maestra Music Publishing Universal-Música Unica Publishing Wisin y Yandel

Machete Music

Sobre Mis Pies Espinoza Paz Editora Arpa Musical La Arrolladora Banda El Limón Disa Records

Sólo Jugaste Mario Quintero Canciones Primo Music Los Tucanes De Tijuana Fonovisa Records

Sólo Un Sueño Rubén Darío Flores Editora Musical Mundo Americano (SACM) Banda Guasaveña

Universal Music Latino

Te Lloré Reyli Barba (SACM) Universal Music-Careers Conjunto Primavera

Fonovisa Records

Te Pido Que Te Quedes Alfredo Ramírez Corral Universal-Música Unica Publishing Los Creadorez del Pasito Duraguense de Alfredo Ramírez Disa Records

Te Quiero Flex EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc. Flex EMI Televisa

Te Voy A Mostrar Julieta Venegas (SGAE) EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc. Diana Reyes Universal Music Latino

Te Voy A Perder Aureo Baqueiro (SACM) Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. Alejandro Fernández Sony Music

Todo Cambió José Luis Ortega Máximo Aguirre Music Publishing, Inc. Camila

Sony Music

Un Juego Ramón González Mora Seg-Son Music, Inc. Los Rieleros del Norte

Fonovisa Records

Volé Muy Alto Guadalupe García Gar-Mex Music Los Huracanes del Norte

Fonovisa Records

Ya Nunca Más Manuel Eduardo Castro (SACM) La Calacavera Publishing Máximo Aguirre Music Publishing, Inc. Pepe Aguilar EMI Televisa

BMI celebró su 16ta. Entrega Anual de Premios Latinos en el 12 de marzo en el hotel The Breakers en el salón Ponce de León en Palm Beach, Florida. Gloria Estefan fue nombrada como Ícono de BMI; el cantautor Espinoza Paz ganó su segundo premio consecutivo como el Compositor del Año; “A Ti Si Puedo Decirte”, ganó los honores de “Canción del Año” del compositor Javier Sanroman y de la editora Siempre Music; Editora Arpa Musical recibió, también por segundo año consecutivo, el galardón de la Editora del Año. En la cena de gala conducida por el Presidente y CEO de BMI, Del Bryant y la Asistente Vicepresidente de BMI, Música Latina Delia Orjuela, también se reconocieron a los mejores escritores y editores de las 50 canciones que fueron las más interpretadas en la radio y televisión en los Estados Unidos.

El premio Ícono de BMI se le otorga a la persona que ha dejado “una influencia única e indeleble en las nuevas generaciones de los que hacen música”. Un tributo musical en vivo con la participación de Elvis Crespo, Jon Secada, Ángeles Ochoa, Arthur Hanlon, Anthony Fedorov, Jorge Villamizar, Pitbull y Fanny Lu, honrando los logros de Gloria Estefan quien se unirá a una lista exclusiva donde han sido reconocidos Gustavo Santaolalla, Los Tigres Del Norte, Juan Luis Guerra, Carlos Santana y leyendas como Willie Nelson, Brian Wilson, Isaac Hayes, Paul Simon, Dolly Parton y el fenecido James Brown.

Gloria Estefan indiscutiblemente figura en la más alta jerarquía de intérpretes más reconocidas y más queridas, pero es por su iniciativa artística y por su transición sin ataduras al género, lo que convierte a Estefan en una de las pioneras en el mundo musical. Desde su avasallante éxito internacional con Miami Sound Machine a su música actual, Estefan ha combinado sonidos tradicionales de su nativa Cuba con un pop infeccioso, música bailable y otros ritmos latinos que llegaron a crear un sonido distintivo y diferente capaz de llegar a las más altas posiciones de las tablas de música y unificando gentes. Compositora de BMI por muchos años, ha creado muchos de sus estándares, con frecuencia sola. Composiciones de ella sola como “Can’t Stay Away From You”, “Cuts Both Ways”, “Si Voy a Perderte”, “Anything for You”, “Words Get in the Way” y “Here We Are” se incluyen entre sus canciones más cantadas. También a es una sobresaliente colaboradora co-escribió éxitos como “Coming Out of the Dark”, “Rhythm is Gonna Get You”, “1,2,3”, “Live for Loving You”, “Reach” y “Con los Años Que Me Quedan” y junto a Shakira “Whenever, Wherever” y junto a Jon Secada “Otro Día Más Sin Verte”, elegida como BMI Canción del Año 1993. Su catálogo consta de 22 Premios BMI Latino y Pop, además de 11 Premios BMI “Million Air”. Con su compañero de música y del alma Emilio Estefan, cuyas incomparables destrezas como productor, músico y compositor han ayudado a formar el arte de su esposa, Gloria Estefan han vendido más de 70 millones de álbumes. Tres Grammys, cuatro Grammys Latino, numerosos Premios de MTV, VMA y Cable ACE, junto a una estrella en el “Walk of Fame” de Hollywood, alinean su carrera que también incluyen honores como un American Music Award Lifetime Achievement, BMI President’s Award y el Ellis Island Congressional Medal of Honor han reconocido la importancia de Gloria Estefan. Luego de su inducción al salón de la Fama de Compositores en el 1997, ella junto a Emilio, recibieron el prestigioso Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award en el 2001. Como una influyente defensora de los derechos humanos, Gloria Estefan recibió el National Music Foundation’s Humanitarian of the Year como también el titulo de MusiCares Person of the Year y en el 2008, fue nombrada como Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year.

El carismático trovador Espinoza Paz, ganó el prestigioso premio Compositor del Año, reconociendo su papel tan significativo en la creciente popularidad del género Regional Mexicano. Su talento como compositor puso un impresionante total de seis canciones en la lista de las más interpretadas este año como: “El Vaso Derrama” de “El Potro de Sinaloa”, “La Rata Flaca” de La Auténtica de Jerez Patrimonio Zacatecanos, “Olvídame Tú” grabada por Duelo, “Para Impresionarte” de El Coyote y su Banda Tierra Santa, “Perdóname” de Banda Cuisillos y “Sobre Mis Pies” grabada por La Arrolladora Banda El Limón. Originario de La Angostura, México, una pequeña ciudad justo al norte de Sinaloa, Paz ganó el año pasado su primer premio como Compositor del Año de BMI.

“A Ti Si Puedo Decirte” ganó la Canción del Año de BMI, honrando al compositor Javier Sanroman, oriundo de Veracruz. Esta canción la grabó El Chapo de Sinaloa, intérprete preferido del público Regional Mexicano en su exitosa producción discográfica titulada “Te Va A Gustar”. Editada por Siempre Music, ha sido además seleccionada como la Canción Más Interpretada del Año en el género Regional Mexicano por Artista Masculino en los Premios A La Música Latina Billboard 2008.

Con el porcentaje más alto de propiedad autoral de las canciones más interpretadas en el año, Editora Arpa Musical, gana una vez más el premio de Editora del Año. Su catálogo de éxitos que incluye “De Ti Exclusivo” de La Arrolladora Banda El Limón, “Chuy y Mauricio” de El Potro de Sinaloa y las seis obras ganadoras de Paz, el Compositor del Año, han catapultado a la cima a Editora Arpa Musical, editora con base en Guadalajara y Los Angeles

La Ceremonia incluyó también la entrega de la Sexta Beca Latina Anual peermusic de la la fundación BMI al jóven de 21 años José Luis Rodríguez Enchautegui en reconocimiento de su composición original “Aunque No Vuelva Amanecer”. Nacido en Puerto Rico y estudiante de la Universidad del Turabo, Rodríguez Enchautegui recibirá una beca de $5,000.00. Establecido por la Fundación BMI y financiada por la generosidad de Ralph Peer II y varias compañías peermusic, la beca se concede anualmente a través de una competencia de canciones originales y composiciones instrumentales.

La competencia del 2009 estaba abierta para los estudiantes de 16 y 24 años cursando universidad en los Estados Unidos y Puerto Rico. Para más información de la Fundación BMI, visita a www.bmifoundation.com.

Uno de los más destacados compositores Latinos, Ramón González Mora y la super estrella internacional Juanes se llevaron dos premios cada uno. También incluyó entre los grandes ganadores de esa noche a Wisin y Yandel y Nesty todos co-autores de “Sexy Movimiento”; el Ícono de BMI en el 2006, Juan Luis Guerra, por “La Llave de Mi Corazón”, José “Pepe” A. Sosa por “Lágrimas del Corazón”, Don Omar por “Ayer La Vi”, Edgar Cortázar, Adrian Pieragostino y Jose Luis Terrazas por “Como En Los Buenos Tiempos,” Flex por “Te Quiero,” Julieta Venegas (SGAE) por “Te Voy A Mostrar, ” y Cruz Martinez por “Muévelo.” Kara DioGuardi, Ben Moody y Sean Garrett, junto con la leyenda Lamont Dozier, se llevaron también premios esta noche.

Las editoras con más de dos canciones entre las primeras 50 fueron Universal Music Publishing Group (Universal Music-Careers/Universal-Música Unica Publishing/Songs of Universal, Inc.); EMI Music Publishing (EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc./EMI-Virgin Music Publishing SRL [SIAE]/EMI-Virgin Songs, Inc.); SER-CA Publishing, Inc.; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.; Máximo Aguirre Music Publishing, Inc.; Peer Music Group (Peer International Corp./peermusic III, Ltd.); Siempre Music; Seg-Son Music, Inc.; Gar-Mex Music y Songs of Camaleon.

2009 BMI Latin Awards
Award Winning Songs

A Ti Si Puedo Decirte
Javier Sanroman
Siempre Music
El Chapo de Sinaloa
Disa Records

Ahora Que Estuviste Lejos
Demetrio Vite Hernández (SACM)
SER-CA Publishing, Inc.
Jenni Rivera
Fonovisa Records

Ayer La Vi
Eliel Lind
Don Omar
Crown P Music Publishing
Diego VI Music Publisher
Don Omar
Machete Music

Baila Mi Corazón
Ricardo Arreola Palomera
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Belanova
Universal Music Latino

Bastó
Miguel Mendoza
SER-CA Publishing, Inc.
Intocable
EMI Televisa

Bella Traición
Kara DioGuardi
Ben Moody
Bug Music
Smellslikemetal Publishing
State One Music America
Belinda
EMI Televisa

Brebaje
Paco Paniagua
Golden Huina Publishing Company, Inc.
Toño y Freddy
Disa Records

Chuy Y Mauricio
José Ontiveros Meza
Editora Arpa Musical
El Potro de Sinaloa
Machete Music

Como En Los Buenos Tiempos
Edgar Cortázar
Adrián Pieragostino
José Luis Terrazas
APA House Of Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Grupo Montéz de Durango
Disa Records

¡Cómo Olvidarte!
Ramón González Mora
Seg-Son Music, Inc.
Linderos Del Norte
A.R.C. Discos

¡Con Tal De Que Me Olvides!
Felipe de Jesús, Jr.
SER-CA Publishing, Inc.
Los Invasores de Nuevo León
SER-CA Discos

Cuatro Meses
Benjamín Sanchez Mota (SACM)
Peer International Corp.
Banda Machos
Sony Music

Dame Un Beso
Valentino
SER-CA Publishing, Inc.
Intocable
EMI Televisa

De Ti Exclusivo
Horacio Palencia
Editora Arpa Musical
La Arrolladora Banda El Limón
Disa Records

Dímelo
Sean Garrett
Brian Kidd
Dollanaire Publishing
Hitco Music
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Team S Dot Publishing
Enrique Iglesias
Interscope Records

Duele
Lamont Dozier
Kalimba
Song Chef Music Publishing
Universal Music-Careers
Kalimba
Sony Music

El Hombre De Negro
Martín Ruvalcaba
Gar-Mex Music
Los Huracanes del Norte
Fonovisa Records

El Vaso Derrama
Espinoza Paz
Editora Arpa Musical
El Potro de Sinaloa
Machete Music

Enamorado De Tí
Humberto Plancarte Farfan
Mozote Music Corporation
Tierra Cali
Vene Music

Gotas De Agua Dulce
Juanes
peermusic III, Ltd.
Songs of Camaleon
Juanes
Surco/Universal Music Latino

Hasta El Día De Hoy
Gabriel Flores
Máximo Aguirre Music Publishing, Inc.
Los Dareyes de la Sierra
Disa Records

La Llave De Mi Corazón
Juan Luis Guerra
Juan Luis Guerra y 4.40
Vene Music

La Rata Flaca
Espinoza Paz
Cultura Urbana Publishing
Editora Arpa Musical
La Auténtica de Jerez Patrimonio Zacatecano
Universal Music Latino

Lágrimas De Sangre
Nacho Hernández
Editora Once Ríos Musical
Tigres Del Norte Ediciones Musicales
Los Tigres del Norte
v Fonovisa Records

Lágrimas Del Corazón
José A. Sosa
Siempre Music
Grupo Montéz de Durango
Disa Records

Maldito Texto
Eliud Garza
Adolfo Valenzuela
Omar Valenzuela
Los Compositores Publishing
peermusic III, Ltd.
Twiins House of Music
Dinastia de Tuzantla
Vene Music

Me Duele Amarte
Taura Lennox
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Reik
Sony Music

Me Enamora
Juanes
peermusic III, Ltd.
Songs of Camaleon
Juanes
Surco/Universal Music Latino

Muévelo

Garfield Baker
Tony Butler
Jaime Gomez
Cruz Martínez
Marcos Sifuentes
Byron Smith
321 Music LLC
CKJointz Music
Nawasha Networks Publishing
Sony/ATV Melody
Whooping Crane Music, Inc.
Cruz Martínez presenta Los Súper Reyes
Warner Music

Nena
Elio Aldrighetti (SIAE)
Miguel Bosé (SGAE)
Vittorio Ierovante (SIAE)
EMI-Virgin Music Publishing SRL (SIAE)
EMI-Virgin Songs, Inc.
Miguel Bosé featuring Paulina Rubio
Warner Music

No Te Veo
Vladimir "Dj Blass" Felix
Joel "Jowell" Muñoz
Randy Ortiz
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Leon Blanco Music Publishing
Sandunguero Music Pub.
Casa de Leones
Warner Music

Olvídame Tú
Espinoza Paz
Editora Arpa Musical
Duelo
Fonovisa Records

Para Impresionarte
Espinoza Paz
Editora Arpa Musical
El Coyote y su Banda Tierra Santa
Fonovisa Records

Perdóname
Espinoza Paz
Editora Arpa Musical
Banda Cuisillos
Balboa Records

Por Quién Me Dejas
Cuco Sánchez (SACM)
peermusic III, Ltd.
Los Creadorez del Pasito Duranguense de Alfredo Ramírez
Disa Records

Porque Te Quiero
Javier Manríquez
LGA Music Publishing
Banda El Récodo
Fonovisa Records

Rumbo Al Sur
Ramón Ortega Contreras (SACM)
Felipe Valdéz Leal (SACM)
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
v Los Tigres del Norte
Fonovisa Records

Sexy Movimiento
Juan Luis Morera Luna "Wisin"
Ernesto Fidel Padilla "Nesty"
Llandel Veguilla Malavé "Yandel"
La Mente Maestra Music Publishing
Universal-Música Unica Publishing
Wisin y Yandel
Machete Music

Sobre Mis Pies
Espinoza Paz
Editora Arpa Musical
La Arrolladora Banda El Limón
Disa Records

Sólo Jugaste
Mario Quintero
Canciones Primo Music
Los Tucanes De Tijuana
Fonovisa Records

Sólo Un Sueño
Rubén Darío Flores
Editora Musical Mundo Americano (SACM)
Banda Guasaveña
Universal Music Latino

Te Lloré
Reyli Barba (SACM)
Universal Music-Careers
Conjunto Primavera
Fonovisa Records

Te Pido Que Te Quedes
Alfredo Ramírez Corral
Universal-Música Unica Publishing
Los Creadorez del Pasito Duraguense de Alfredo Ramírez
Disa Records

Te Quiero
Flex
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Flex
EMI Televisa

Te Voy A Mostrar
Julieta Venegas (SGAE)
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Diana Reyes
Universal Music Latino

Te Voy A Perder
Aureo Baqueiro (SACM)
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Alejandro Fernández
Sony Music

Todo Cambió
José Luis Ortega Máximo Aguirre Music Publishing, Inc.
Camila
Sony Music

Un Juego
Ramón González Mora
Seg-Son Music, Inc.
Los Rieleros del Norte
Fonovisa Records

Volé Muy Alto
Guadalupe García
Gar-Mex Music
Los Huracanes del Norte
Fonovisa Records

Ya Nunca Más
Manuel Eduardo Castro (SACM)
La Calacavera Publishing
Máximo Aguirre Music Publishing, Inc.
Pepe Aguilar
EMI Televisa

Gloria Estefan will be honored as a BMI Icon Thursday, March 12 at the 16th annual Latin Awards. Staged at The Breakers Ponce De Leon Ballroom in Palm Beach, Florida, 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.

Gloria Estefan

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 Gloria Estefan, who joins an elite list of past honorees that includes Latin music titans Gustavo Santaolalla, 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.

Gloria Estefan inarguably ranks in the top tier of the world’s most recognizable and beloved performers, but it is her artistic gumption and seamless genre-weaving that has made Estefan one of the world’s most pivotal musical pioneers. From her international breakout success with the Miami Sound Machine to her current award-winning music, Estefan has combined traditional sounds of her native Cuba with infectious pop, dance, and other Latin grooves to create a distinct sound capable of topping charts and uniting people. A longtime BMI songwriter, she has created many of her standards, often alone: solo compositions “Can’t Stay Away From You,” “Cuts Both Ways,” “Si Voy a Perderte,” “Anything for You,” “Words Get in the Way,” and “Here We Are” number among her most performed songs. Also a skilled collaborator, Estefan has co-written her hits including “Coming Out of the Dark,” “Rhythm is Gonna Get You,” “1, 2, 3,” “Live for Loving You,” “Reach,” and “Con Los Años Que Me Quedan,” along with Shakira’s “Whenever, Wherever” and Jon Secada’s “Otro Día Más Sin Verte,” named 1993’s BMI Latin Song of the Year. Her catalog boasts 22 BMI Latin and Pop Awards, along with 11 BMI Million-Air Awards. With her music and life’s soul mate Emilio Estefan, whose unrivaled skills as a producer, musician, and composer have helped shape his wife’s art, Gloria Estefan has sold more than 70 million albums. Three Grammys, four Latin Grammys, numerous MTV, VMA, and Cable ACE Awards, along with a spot on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, line her career, and elite retrospective honors including an American Music Award for Lifetime Achievement, the BMI President’s Award, and the Ellis Island Congressional Medal of Honor have recognized her significance. Following her induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1997, she, along with Emilio, received the organization’s prestigious Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001. An influential proponent of human rights, Gloria Estefan received the National Music Foundation’s Humanitarian of the Year honor as well as the MusiCares Person of the Year title, and, in 2008, was named the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year.

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, Espinoza Paz, Luis “Louie” Padilla and Ramón González Mora.

Other top award winners were songwriters Amund Bjørklund and Espen Lind (both members of Norwegian performing right society TONO and represented in the U.S. by BMI), along with Ne-Yo, who received the prestigious Robert S. Musel Award for Song of the Year for Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable.” The song is published by EMI Music Publishing Ltd./Stellar Songs Ltd.; the song and songwriters also received the BMI Urban Song of the Year prize earlier this year.

Modest Mouse’s “Dashboard” earned BMI’s College Song of the Year crown for tallying the most performances on American college radio. The infectious lead single off the band’s We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank album, “Dashboard” was co-written by Johnny Marr (PRS), Tom "King Sour" Peloso and Joe Plummer and published by Chrysalis Music.

The BMI Dance Award went to Ian Dench and Amanda Ghost (PRS) for “Beautiful Liar,” recorded by genre-bending combo Beyoncé and Shakira. “Beautiful Liar” was published by Bucks Music Group Ltd. (PRS), EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS) and Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS).

Prestigious “Million-Air” certificates were also presented throughout the evening in recognition of those songs that have achieved more than three million U.S. radio and television performances — the equivalent of more than 17 years of continuous airplay. The Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” co-penned by Sir Mick Jagger (PRS) and Keith Richards (PRS), and Eric Clapton’s (PRS) “Layla,” co-written by Clapton and Jim Gordon, both topped the list with seven million performances each, while John Lennon’s (PRS) self-penned “Imagine” was recognized for six million performances. Five-million performance honorees included “Higher Love” co-penned by Steve Winwood (PRS) and Will Jennings; Graham Lyle’s (PRS) “What’s Love Got To Do With It”; and “You Really Got Me,” composed by BMI Icon Ray Davies (PRS). BMI Icon Steve Winwood also composed two more songs in the list: “Gimme Some Loving” (4 million) co-written by Muff Winwood and Spencer Davies (both PRS), and “Valerie” (3 million) which was also co-written by Will Jennings.

Additional award-winners whose compositions soared past the three million performance mark included Shania Twain (PRS), Graham Gouldman (PRS), The Bee Gees’ Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb (all PRS), Sir Paul McCartney (PRS), Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie, Roxette’s Per Gessle (STIM), Mats Persson (STIM), Paul Herman (PRS), Mort Shuman (SACEM), Wally Badarou (SACEM), Stig Anderson (STIM), and ABBA’s Benny Andersson (STIM) and Björn Ulvaeus (BUMA).

In addition to winning Dance Song of the Year, “Beautiful Liar” garnered BMI Pop and Urban Awards for writers Ian Dench and Amanda Ghost (both PRS); Dench and Ghost also scored Pop Awards for Jordin Sparks’ “Tattoo,” and College Song of the Year “Dashboard” garnered Pop Awards for its creative hive. Kanye West’s “Stronger,” co-written by West, Thomas Bangalter (PRS), Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo (PRS) and Michael Dean, earned awards in both Pop and Urban categories as well, as did Song of the Year “Irreplaceable.” Iconic rocker Pete Townsend (PRS) garnered three awards in the TV Music Awards field, while KT Tunstall (PRS) and Julieta Venegas (SGAE) each secured two awards in the Pop and Latin fields, respectively. Composers Rupert Gregson-Williams and George Fenton (both PRS), also earned two awards each: Gregson-Williams in the Film category and Fenton in Film and Emmy Award-winning divisions.

A complete list of award winners is available here.

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.

Those competing for a Golden Globe include Best Original Score nominee Kaki King for Into The Wild, while Best Original Song nominees include Shakira for her musical and lyrical contribution to “Despedida,” from Love in the Time of Cholera; Alan Menken for “That’s How You Know” from Disney’s Enchanted; and John C. Reilly for co-penning “Walk Hard” from The Dewy Cox Story.

Critics’ Choice Award contenders include Alan Menken, up for two awards, including Best Composer and Best Song (“That’s How You Know”) from Enchanted; Best Song nominee Anthony Hamilton for “Do You Feel Me,” from American Gangster; and Best Composer nominee Alexandre Desplat for Lust, Caution.

VH1 will broadcast the 13th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards live on January 7, 2008, while the 65th Annual Golden Globe Awards will telecast live on NBC on January 13, 2008.