MIAMI (AP) – Producer-composer Sergio George, who wrote the hit “Mi Primer Millon” for the group Bacilos, led the Latin Grammy nominations Tuesday with six, while Colombia singer-songwriter Juanes netted five.
George was nominated for record of the year, song of the year and other honors for the Bacilos’ hit song, as well as for album of the year for producing the group’s “Caraluna.”
Bacilos, an eclectic Miami-based rock group, received three nominations – best pop album by a duo or group with vocal, record of the year and album of the year.
“I still can’t believe it. We’re still kind of hallucinating,” said Puerto Rican percussionist Jose Javier Freire, who teams with Colombian singer-guitarist Jorge Villamizar and Brazilian bassist Andre Lopes to form Bacilos.
Villamizar earned three songwriting nominations, including one for co-writing “Mi Primer Millon,” or “My First Million,” with George. The song is a story about their success.
“The song is like a wish list,” Freire said. “Everything in the song has happened to us.”
Juanes, already a four-time Latin Grammy winner, earned nominations for record and song of the year for “Es Por Ti,” album of the year and best rock solo album for “Un Dia Normal,” and best rock song for “Mala Gente.” Combined with last year’s awards, “Un Dia Normal” has brought Juanes eight Latin Grammy nominations.
“This album has been so positive for me and brought me so many good things,” Juanes said. “Awards are very important, but it’s also important to make music from the heart.”
Other multiple nominees include producer-songwriter Gustavo Santaolalla, who had five, and newcomer Natalia Lafourcade, who had four.
Lafourcade is a leading contender for best new artist. The category also included Spaniard David Bisbal, nominated for two awards.
Organizers said a tribute to the late “Queen of Salsa,” Celia Cruz, will be held at the Sept. 3 awards ceremony at the AmericanAirlines Arena. The ceremony will be broadcast live by CBS television.
The awards have been presented in Los Angeles since they began. The 2000 inaugural ceremony wasn’t held in Miami because of an ordinance, no longer in effect, that barred the county from doing business with those who have dealings with Cuba. Cuban acts may have performed at the show.
The 2001 ceremony was moved from Miami to Los Angeles after Cuban exile groups threatened to protest the event because Cuban performers were set to perform. The show, slated for Sept. 11, was never held.
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