Latin Grammys @ Miami – September 3, 2003.

The 4th Annual Latin Grammy Awards will be held on September 3, 2003 and broadcast domestically by the CBS Television Network, it was announced today by the Latin Recording Academy. The show – which will feature performances from some of the genre’s most important artists — will originate from the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami. Nominations for the Latin Grammy Awards will be announced this summer.

“It is time to officially bring the show to Miami — one of the most culturally diverse and musically vibrant cities in America – and take an important step in encouraging the continued growth of Latin music and the Latin Grammy Awards,” said Manolo Diaz, Chairman of the Latin Recording Academy Board of Trustees. “We thank the Mayor of Miami-Dade County Alex Penelas, the City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, the Miami Beach Mayor David Dermer, and Broward County Mayor Diana
Wasserman-Rubin. We also are thrilled to be working with the AmericanAirlines Arena, as well as Leslie Moonves and our terrific partners at CBS — all who will help to ensure that the 4th Annual Latin Grammy Awards in Miami will be a truly amazing event for everyone!”

“The Recording Academy applauds the Latin Recording Academy and the decision to bring the 4th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards to the city of Miami,” said Neil Portnow, President of the Recording Academy. “With its social, cultural and entertainment connection to the Latin community, Miami is a natural choice. We congratulate the South Florida community and its officials, who all have worked so tirelessly to bring the show to Florida.”

The weeks leading up to the Latin Grammy Awards feature a month-long Latin GRAMMY Fest — a celebration that will showcase the vibrancy, quality and diversity of the Miami and Latin cultural communities and the Road to the Latin GRAMMYs, a series of international events that will celebrate Hispanic Culture. Latin Grammy Fest events will include concerts, educational events, epicurean demonstrations, art exhibits, performances, workshops and receptions.

“Having the Latin Grammys in Miami is worth tens of millions of dollars to this community,” said William Talbert III, President & Chief Executive Officer, The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. “And the event will give priceless international exposure to this world class destination, which serves as a hub for Latin music and culture from around the globe.”

“Broadcasting the Latin Grammy Awards reaffirms CBS’ commitment to diversity and to the very best in entertainment programming,” said Jack Sussman, Senior Vice President, Specials, CBS. “There isn’t a better host city than Miami for this high-energy special which is always attractive to our advertisers because it offers a special opportunity to reach a growing Latin audience.”

The 4th Annual Latin Grammy Awards features 41 award categories — including four general categories: Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Song Of The Year, and Best New Artist — and will be broadcast domestically by CBS from 9-11 p.m. (ET/PT). The network also will distribute the show internationally through CBS Broadcast International, providing the show to an estimated 100 countries.

For more information at http://www.grammy.com/latin_academy/