Music

The Latin Entertainment Industry Group for City of Hope announced that it has selected Emilio and Gloria Estefan as the 2004 Spirit of Life(R) Award honorees. This award will mark another instance in which the couple has received recognition together as a couple for their crowning achievements in both the Latin and non-Hispanic entertainment industries. Since the inception of the Latin Entertainment Industry group, Estefan Enterprises has played a significant supportive role for City of Hope, the world-renowned biomedical research facility. The award will be presented at a star-studded, gala dinner on November 18, 2004. Proceeds from the event will benefit City of Hope’s research, treatment and education programs for cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

BMI presented its 11th Annual Latin Awards last night with top honors going to songwriter/producer Estefano, his publishing company World Deep Music Publishing Corporation and the Conjunto Primavera hit “Perdoname Mi Amor” written by Ramon Gonzalez Mora.

In recognition of his extraordinary accomplishments in the music industry, recording superstar Ricky Martin has been selected to be the recipient of Premio Lo Nuestro’s 2004 “Premio a la Excelencia” (Excellence Award). In addition to receiving the prestigious special award, Martin will also thrill viewers with a spectacular performance during the LIVE telecast of the “Premio Lo Nuestro a la Música Latina” awards ceremony on the Univision Network on Thursday, February 26, 8-11 pm ET/PT (7-10 pm Central/Mountain).

Latin music’s most prestigious awards show will be brought to viewers live for the very first time, allowing them to share in the excitement of the evening as winners step up to be recognized by their peers and fans. The 2004 Billboard Latin Music Awards will take place on Thursday, April 29th, 2004 at the Miami Arena in Florida and will be produced and broadcast live by Telemundo at 7PM ET/PT.

In celebration of musical talent from the Lone Star State and the continued campaign for Texas music education, the Texas Music Project (TMP), a statewide nonprofit initiative working to strengthen and restore music education in public schools throughout Texas.

Telemundo’s most memorable music special, Celia Cruz: ¡Azúcar!, the tribute to the undisputed queen of salsa, was launched in stores on January 27th. Net proceeds will be donated to The Celia Cruz Foundation, which offers music scholarships to low-income students and supports entities dedicated to find a cure for cancer.