Ricardo Montaner, Luis Fonsi and Omar Alfanno to Be Honored at 17th Annual ASCAP Latin Music Awards in San Juan, Puerto Rico on March 3

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - January 28, 2009) - The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will host its 17th annual Latin Music Awards at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Tuesday, March 3, 2009. The black tie gala will honor the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP's most performed songs in Latin Music of 2008.

One of the many highlights of the invitation-only dinner and awards ceremony will be the presentation of the ASCAP Latin Heritage Award to Ricardo Montaner in recognition of his unique and enduring contributions to Latin music. Past recipients include Antonio Aguilar, Celia Cruz, Ednita Nazario, Franco de Vita, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Olga Tañón and Ricardo Arjona.

That evening, the performing rights organization will also present singer/songwriter Luis Fonsi with ASCAP's Voice of Music Award. This Award is presented to songwriters and artists whose music gives voice to the spirit of a generation. Previous honorees include Mary J. Blige, Jimmy Webb, Kenny Chesney, Amy Grant, George Strait, Diane Warren and Garth Brooks.

Songwriter/producer Omar Alfanno will be honored with the ASCAP Golden Note Award, which is presented to songwriters, composers and artists who have achieved extraordinary career milestones. Garth Brooks, Joan Sebastian, Jose Feliciano, Quincy Jones, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty and Victor Manuelle are among ASCAP's Golden Note Award winners' circle.

During the awards ceremony, ASCAP will also recognize the Songwriter of the Year, Publisher of the Year, and Latin Song of the Year, and awards will be presented in the following categories: Pop, Tropical, Regional Mexican, Rock, Urban and Television.

Members of the press may apply for credentials at http://www.ascap.com/press/pressroom/latinmusicawards/

About ASCAP

Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization (PRO) representing the world's largest repertory totaling over 8.5 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 340,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members. ASCAP has representation arrangements with similar foreign organizations so that the ASCAP repertory is represented in nearly every country around the world where copyright law exists. ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances. ASCAP is the only American PRO owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. www.ascap.com