13th ANNUAL EL PREMIO ASCAP AWARDS
HAMMERSTEIN BALLROOM IN NEW YORK CITY
TUESDAY, APRIL 5TH, 2005

People Español's Joselly Castrodad and CBS-2 News/Anchor Correspondent Mario Bosquez were the special guest hosts of the evening's festivities.

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) celebrated its 13th annual El Premio ASCAP Awards at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan on April 5, 2005. The star-studded gala, hosted by People Español’s Joselly Castrodad and CBS-2 News/Anchor Correspondent Mario Bosquez, honored the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP’s most performed songs in Latin Music in 2004.

Among the honorees, performers and notables attending the black tie celebration were Claudia Acuña, Obie Bermudez, Big Mato, Ruben Blades, Claudia Brant,
El General, GemStar, Sergio George, Monchy & Alexandra, Nina Sky, NORE, Eduardo Osorio, Jennifer Peña, Rudy Perez, Joan Sebastian, Marco Antonio Solís, Spanish Harlem Orchestra directed by Maestro Oscar Hernandez, and Alicia Villareal. 

ASCAP received special recognition from Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of the City of New York, who declared Tuesday, April 5, 2005 in the City of New York as "ASCAP Latin Music Awards Day." In a proclamation presented to the Society, Mayor Bloomberg cited "The Latin Music Awards are an opportunity for the music community to honor past achievement and nurture unrealized potential. New York City, home to countless Latin music fans, thanks ASCAP for its continuing commitment to musical excellence, and congratulates Ruben Blades and the rest of tonight’s winners on their great success."

Rudy Perez was presented with the Songwriter of the Year award for his ten award-winning songs. As a testament to his writing strength and endurance, Perez has won this honor three times before, including last year. Billboard chart-topping artist Jennifer Peña performed as part of ASCAP’s special tribute to Perez.

One of the many highlights of the evening was the special presentation of the ASCAP Founders Award to Ruben Blades by ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento with pop idol Obie Bermudez, who also performed a song dedicated to Ruben. Grammy Award-winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Oscar Hernandez, closed the night with a special musical tribute honoring Blades.

The ASCAP Founders Award is given to songwriters who have made pioneering contributions to music by inspiring and influencing their fellow music creators. Previous recipients who have received this honor include Burt Bacharach & Hal David, Elvis Costello, Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Arturo Sandoval, Stephen Sondheim, James Taylor, Tom Waits, and Stevie Wonder, among others.

Compositor Del Año RUDY PEREZ "Deja" "Echale Leña" "Hasta El Fin Del Mundo" "Hasta Que Me Olvide De Ti" "Hay Que Cambiar" "Por Ti Podría Morir" "Te Llamé" "Vivo Y Muero En Tu Piel" "Y Que Va A Ser De Mi" "Ya No Me Duele"   The ASCAP Founders Award RUBEN BLADES An outstanding creator of international pop music, Rudy Pérez's gift for writing and producing hits makes him one of today's most respected and sought-after producer/songwriters. During the last 25 years, he has composed over 600 songs and written and produced hits for international artists such as Julio Iglesias, Christina Aguilera, Michael Bolton, Luis Miguel, Jose Feliciano and Marc Anthony, to name just a few.  Read More>>> Rubén Blades' musical career has been rich with beautiful, adventurous and socially conscious songs that have earned him critical praise and the respect of his peers. Blades grew up in Panama City with musically talented parents. His mother sang and played the piano, while his father played percussion.  Read More>>>

ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento and ASCAP Senior Vice President, Membership Group - Latin Alexandra Lioutikoff presented the Publisher of the Year award to Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Universal Music Publishing who shared the honors with a total of 30 winning songs each.

Editoras Del Año

Sony/ATV Music Publishing Universal Music Publishing "Ahora Quién" "Algo Tienes" "Corazón De Papel" "Culebra" "Dalo Por Hecho" "De Rodillas" "De Viaje" "Deja" "Deseos De Cosas Imposibles" "Dicen Por Ahí" "Duele Verte" "Echale Leña" "Fiera Inquieta" "Hasta Que Me Olvide De Ti" "Me Dediqué A Perderte" "Mi Funeral" "Mientes Tan Bien" "No Me Quiero Enamorar" "Oye Mi Canto" "Porque Es Tan Cruel El Amor" "Que Lloro" "Quiero Ser Tuya" "Quitémonos La Ropa" "Rosas" "Sentada Aquí En Mi Alma" "Te Llamé" "Valió La Pena" "Y Que Va A Ser De Mi" "Y Todo Queda En Nada" "Ya No Me Duele" "Algo Tienes" "Corazón Encadenado" "Creo En El Amor" "Deja" "Demasiado" "Echale Leña" "El Año Viejo" "Ella Tiene Fuego" "Fabricando Fantasías" "Grita Conmigo" "Hasta El Fin Del Mundo" "Hasta Que Me Olvide De Ti" "Hay Que Cambiar" "Mi Libertad" "Nadie Es Eterno" "Por Ti Podría Morir" "Puerto Rico" "Qué De Raro Tiene" "Que No Me Faltes Tú" "Quiero Saber De Ti" "Quiero Ser Tuya" "Si Tú Estuvieras" "Te Llamé" "Te Tengo Que Aprender A Olvidar" "Un Amor Para La Historia" "Vivo Y Muero En Tu Piel" "Y Dicen" "Y Que Va A Ser De Mi" "Ya No Me Duele" "Yo Te Enseñé"

ASCAP also presented awards in the following categories: Tropical, Regional Mexicana, Urbano, Rock, Pop/Balada and the newly created Television category honoring the Top Rated Theme for Soap Opera and Top Rated Theme for TV Variety Program.  See the complete list of winners.

ASCAP would like to thank our sponsors for the evening: