BMI sets Latin tune kudos

Estefans, Juanes, Los Bacilos to attend gala

By MARY SUTTER

MIAMI -- Performing rights org BMI will hold its 10th Latin awards May 5, honoring songwriters and publishers of the most-played Latin songs on U.S. radio and television.

BMI prexy and CEO Frances Preston and Diane Almodovar, assistant vice president, Latin Music, will present the awards in categories such as Latin song of the year, Latin songwriter of the year and Latin publisher of the year, among others.

The BMI event coincides with the first day of the Billboard Latin Music Conference & Awards, which runs May 5-8. Artists such as Los Bacilos, El Poder del Norte, Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Emilio and Gloria Estefan, Juanes, and Nestor Torres, among others, have confirmed their attendance at the BMI gala at the Eden Roc Hotel & Resort in Miami Beach.