Marco Antonio Solís and Joan Sebastian named Songwriters of the Year at 17th Annual ASCAP Latin Awards in Puerto Rico; Ricardo Montaner, Luis Fonsi and Omar Alfanno receive special awards
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Marco Antonio Solís and Joan Sebastian were named Songwriters of the Year at the 17th Annual ASCAP Latin Music Awards, held on March 3 at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Ricardo Montaner, Luis Fonsi and Omar Alfanno received special ASCAP honors for career achievement, "Para Siempre" was named Latin Song of the Year and Publisher of the Year honors went to Sony/ATV Music. The songwriters and publishers of ASCAP's most performed songs in Latin Music in 2008 were also honored during the awards celebration.
The ASCAP Latin Awards ceremony is one of the most attended and celebrated events in the Latin entertainment community. This year's ceremony was co-hosted by comedian Luis Raúl and TV personality Desireé Lowry. Among the honorees, performers and luminaries present were: Gilberto Santa Rosa, Omar Alfanno, Amérika, Wilfran Castillo, Jorge Celedón, Jezai Duarte, Giovanni Hidalgo, Luis Enrique, Luis Fonsi, Alejandra Guzmán, Juan José Hernández, Carlos Lara, Ismael Miranda, Ricardo Montaner, Roberto Sueiro and Wise.
Joan Sebastian and Marco Antonio Solís shared Songwriter of the Year honors. Both songwriters have received this coveted award multiple times in the past, and their wins this year are a testament to the enduring and universal qualities of their musical gifts.
The evening was highlighted with special presentations to three of the finest and most successful Latin songwriters of our time – Ricardo Montaner, Luis Fonsi and Omar Alfanno.
Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe-winning Hall of Fame songwriter and Vice Chairman of the ASCAP Board of Directors Paul Williams presented ASCAP's Latin Heritage Award to Ricardo Montaner in recognition of his unique and enduring contributions to Latin music, and ASCAP's Voice of Music Award to Luis Fonsi for illuminating people's lives through song.
Longtime friend and advisor Roberto Sueiro, Nicaraguan salsa singer Luis Enrique and ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento presented songwriter/producer Omar Alfanno with ASCAP's Golden Note Award in recognition of his extraordinary songs which have enriched Latin music worldwide for three decades. Garth Brooks, Joan Sebastian, Jose Feliciano, Quincy Jones, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty and Victor Manuelle are among ASCAP's Golden Note Award winners' circle.
LoFrumento was joined onstage by ASCAP Senior Vice President, Membership Group – Latin Alexandra Lioutikoff who presented the Publisher of the Year award to Sony/ATV Music for their 37 award-winning songs. This is the tenth time that Sony/ATV has received this honor.
"Para Siempre," written by Joan Sebastian and published by Vander Music, was named Latin Song of the Year. Awards were also presented in the following categories: Regional Mexican, Tropical, Television, Pop, Rock and Urban.
