Recording Rap
August started with me traveling to NYC for the Latin Alternative Music Conference that was held in SOHO. I assisted Dick Gabriel and Mike Muniz at the AFM booth and met the Puerto Rican pop-rock group Circo (which was nominated for Best New Artist at the Latin Grammys). The LAMC was a great networking experience as these are bands the labels are looking to sign. There were panels, acoustic showcases and a free concert in Central Park to showcase the bands.
Congratulations to all our Local 655 musicians that played on albums that won Latin Grammys. MTV Unplugged-Alejandro Sanz (Album of the Year) and MTV Unplugged-La Ley (Record of the Year) both included Alfredo Oliva and the Miami Symphonic Strings on the recordings. All of the musicians on both albums have already received new use payments (the original payment for the MTV program, and an additional payment for the CD that was subsequently cut), and the string players are calling to tell me their Special Payments Fund checks are much larger this year! The Best New Artist is Hialeah's Jorge Moreno. His CD is on Maverick Records, and musicians on the album are Lee Levin, Richard Bravo, and Julian Zimmon. Congratulations to member Kike Santander for winning Producer of the Year, and to AFM Signatory One Voice Records and artist Ileana Garces who received both a Latin Grammy nomination and a Dove award for Best Christian Album. Please contact me if I've omitted anyone who was nominated or won and I will list it in the next newsletter. I'm so proud of all our musicians and wish you well for all your hard work.
If you haven't received your Phonograph Special Payments Fund check as yet, call the fund at the toll free number (866) 711-3863 to update your information. They have an unclaimed check fund, so please spread the word.
Emilio Estefan Receives Citizen of the Year Award
Local 655 member since 1986, Estefan was presented with the 2003 Citizen of the Year Award by the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce in recognition of his time, talent, and resources contributed to the betterment of the city. The award will be presented in a ceremony on January 25.
Congratulations, Emilio!
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