Armando Manzanero and Jorge Luis Piloto to Be Honored at 18th Annual ASCAP Latin Music Awards in Los Angeles on March 23

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - February 1, 2010) - The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will host its 18th annual Latin Music Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, CA on Tuesday, March 23, 2010. The black tie gala will honor the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP's most performed songs in Latin Music of 2009.

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

That evening, the performing rights organization will also honor Jorge Luís Piloto with its Golden Note Award, which is presented to songwriters, composers and artists who have achieved extraordinary career milestones. Omar Alfanno, Joan Sebastian, Jose Feliciano, and Victor Manuelle are among ASCAP's Golden Note Award winners' circle.

During the awards ceremony, ASCAP will recognize the Songwriter of the Year, Publisher of the Year and Latin Song of the Year. Awards will also be presented in the following categories: Pop, Tropical, Regional Mexican, Urban, Television, and a newly created category honoring the Independent Publisher of the Year.

Members of the press may apply for credentials at 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 370,000 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