2005 Billboards @ Telemundo.

Finalists for the 2005 Billboard Latin Music Awards were announced by Telemundo and Billboard. Marco Antonio Solis, Juanes, Paulina Rubio, Marc Anthony, Jennifer Peña, Julieta Venegas, Juan Luis Guerra, Los Horoscopos De Durango, Vicente Fernandez and Franco de Vita are among finalists featured in multiple categories. The ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 28th at the Miami Arena and will be produced and broadcast live on Telemundo.

“Telemundo is proud to produce the only award show where winners are selected based on airplay and sales, a clear indication of their popularity,” said Ramon Escobar, Executive Vice President of Programming and Production for Telemundo. “This star-studded event, another Telemundo original production, brings the best of the Latin music industry to our viewers and it is testament of our commitment to offer top quality entertainment to the U.S. Hispanic audience.”

“The Billboard Latin Music Awards are the only honor that reflect the best in Latin music as determined by the fans’ record-buying and radio listening choices,” said Leila Cobo, Latin Bureau Chief of Billboard. “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Telemundo to make the 2005 show bigger and better than ever before.”

Topping the list as a finalist for eight awards in seven categories is Marco Antonio Solis, competing for Hot Latin Track of the Year – “Mas Que Tu Amigo;” Hot Latin Tracks Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Latin Pop Album of the Year, Male — “Razon de Sobra;” Latin Greatest Hits Album of the Year, Regional Mexican Airplay Track of the Year, Male Solo Artist, and Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year.

Competing with Solis for Hot Latin Track of the Year are Alejandro Fernandez – “Me Dedique A Perderte,” Juanes – “Nada Valgo Sin Tu Amor,” and Paulina Rubio – “Te Quise Tanto.” In the Top Albums Artist of the Year category, Marc Anthony, Juanes, Los Temerarios and Solis compete for top honors. Vicente Fernandez, Juan Gabriel, Alejandro Sanz, and Joan Sebastian are each up for the Latin Tour of the Year award.

Colombian rocker Juanes, winner of the 2004 Songwriter of the Year Billboard award, is a finalist in five categories. Finalists in four categories include pop sensation Paulina Rubio, salsa artist Marc Anthony, Tejano star Jennifer Peña and singer/songwriter Julieta Venegas.

Finalists in three categories include Franco de Vita, Juan Luis Guerra, Grupo Climax and Vicente Fernandez. Several artists were finalists in two categories including Alejandro Fernandez, Graciela Beltran, Rudy Perez, Aleks Syntek, Grupo Montez de Durango, Bebo & Cigala, Alex Ubago, Los Temerarios, Victor Manuelle, Carlos Vives, Celia Cruz & India, Monchy & Alexandra, Son de Cali, Lupillo Rivera, Adan Chalino Sanchez, Alicia Villarreal, Thalia, Andy & Lucas, Ivy Queen and Isabela.