Familiar names populate Latin Grammys at Mandalay Bay

Even those with only a passing familiarity -- or, even, no familiarity at all -- of Latin music will recognize some of the artists and celebrities who will be a part of this evening's 12th annual Latin Grammy Awards at Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Demi Lovato, for example, and Marc Anthony and Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas, all of whom are scheduled to perform. Or actress Zoe Saldana, actor Erik Estrada and Kermit the Frog -- yes, Kermit the Frog -- all of whom are scheduled to be among the event's presenters.

But here's a tip: As you watch the televised spectacle, stick around for the artists whose names you might not know and you'll probably discover some great new music to love.

The live show will begin at 5 p.m. and tickets already were sold out last week. However, fans may watch the Latin Grammy telecast on the Univision network -- including KINC-TV, Channel 15, at 8 p.m. -- and view live streams (on www.latingrammy.com) of pre-show events, backstage interviews and the show itself beginning at 1:30 p.m. (Also, a special, "Noche De Estrellas" or "Night of the Stars," will begin at 7 p.m. on Univision affiliates.)

Scheduled performers include Pepe Aguilar (nominated for Best Ranchero Album), Paula Fernandes (nominated for Best New Artist and Best Sertaneja Music Album) and Pitbull (nominated for Best Urban Music Album and Best Urban Song).

Scheduled presenters also include actresses/singers Angelique Boyer and Sandra Echeverria, actor Sebastian Rulli and boxer Juan Manuel Marques. Cristian de la Fuente and Lucero will host.

Gabriel Abaroa Jr., president of The Latin Recording Academy, said the event will be seen by close to 88 million people, either live, online or via syndication. This marks the fourth time that Las Vegas has hosted the Latin Grammy Awards.

The Las Vegas-Latin Grammys collaboration is "magical from all points of view," Abaroa said. Not only does Las Vegas offer the resources needed for producing an event of such magnitude but, also, a spirited vibe that artists love.

"It's been very good chemistry from Day One," Abaroa said.

This year's weeklong slate of Latin Grammys events included the presenting of special awards Wednesday. This year's honorees were: Shakira, as Person of the Year; Manuel Alejandro, Jesus "Chuco" Ferrer and Ray Santos, who received Trustees Awards; and Joe Arroyo, Gal Costa, Jose Feliciano, Alex Lora, Les Luthiers, Ruben Rada and Linda Ronstadt, who received Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Some of those names would be recognizable to anybody who follows popular music, and Abaroa isn't surprised. Good music, he said, is good music, regardless of the language in which the lyrics are sung.

"My parents loved the music of Frank Sinatra, they adored the music of the Beatles and they loved the music of Elvis Presley, and they didn't speak English but they knew the lyrics and they knew the songs," Abaroa said. "When the lyrics or the tunes are catchy, people are going to like it, regardless of language."

Besides, he added with a laugh -- and quoting a memorable lyric from Blue Swede's infamous 1974 take on "Hooked on a Feeling" -- "explain to me what 'ooga-chaka' is."

Again this year, the Latin Grammy Awards will offer viewers the chance to sample music from the United States, Mexico, Spain, Portugal and about a dozen other countries.

"I think people will get to see a lot of new talent," Abaroa said, and the awards ceremony is "a fantastic way" for newcomers to explore the diversity of Latin music.

Contact reporter John Przybys at
jprzybys@reviewjournal.com
or 702-383-0280.