Juanes Developing Autobiographical TV Series “Persiguiendo el Sol”

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Juanes is looking to break into the television…

The 43-year-old Colombian musician and his manager, Rebeca Leon, have partnered with Golden Globe-winning producer Ben Silverman for an Empire-like television drama.

The three have joined to develop and produce a television show titled Persiguiendo el Sol that will chronicle Juanes’ rise to stardom, from his beginnings in Colombia through his arrival in Miami, according to Billboard.

“It’s a mix of Entourage and Narcos,” Silverman told Billboard, referencing the Netflix drug drama not for its content, but as an example of a show shot in Latin America for mainstream audiences.

Producer Eric Newman, the showrunner for Narcos, will also be executive producer and showrunner for Persiguiendo el Sol.

“He’s the first American producer to bring American show running to American production,” said Silverman, who has worked several Latin-themed projects in recent years, including Jane the Virgin and Killer Women.

Silverman, who is the founder and chairman of entertainment production company Electus, arrived in Miami on January 18 in time for the NATPE global television market. He’ll be shopping the show concept to potential production partners in both Latin and mainstream media with plans to start shooting as early as spring or summer.

Persiguiendo el Sol, which is named after Juanes’ memoir, will be a bilingual show and will feature cameos from multiple artists in both mainstream and Latin worlds.

The notion of the show began to brew after Silverman met Juanes through Leon in 2014 and enlisted him to perform in an episode of Jane the Virgin. Silverman was already heavily vested in Latin themed productions. Among other projects, he was putting the finishing touches on bilingual film Hands of Stone, which is due out in April and tells the story of boxer Roberto “Mano de Piedra” Durán. Its cast includes Edgar Ramirez, Ruben Blades, Usher and Robert de Niro.

Juanes has also been dabbling further in mainstream film and television. Last year, his song “Juntos,” co-written with fellow Colombian Fonseca, was used for the ending credits of Disney film McFarland USA.

Lucero to Host This Year’s Latin American Music Awards

Posted on October 3, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Lucero’s this year’s Latin AMAs hostess with the mostess…

The 46-year-old Mexican singer/actress and television host will serve as the host of the first-ever Latin American Music Awards.

Known as Latin America’s sweetheart, Lucero has a long history of serving as the mistress of ceremonies for numerous awards shows.

“La Novia De America” has hosted the Latin Grammy Awards eight times and the Mexican Telethon since 1997, as well as telethon editions in Chile, Guatemala, El Salvador and U.S. She also coached contestants on the first season of La Voz México.

The Latin AMAs, taking place on October 8 from the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, will begin with a one-hour red carpet pre-show special at 8:00 pm. ET, followed by the awards show at 9:00 pm. ET, to be broadcast live simultaneously on Telemundo and NBC Universo.

The night will culminate at 11:35 pm. ET, with the exclusive behind-the-scenes special Latin American Music Awards: Acceso VIP.

The night will be filled with talent. Confirmed performers for the event include Paulina Rubio, Daddy Yankee, Jesse & Joy, Reik, Farruko, Fonseca, Shaggy, Lil Jon, Yandel, Natalie La Rose, Jencarlos Canela, Luis Coronel, CD9, Gloria Trevi, Gerardo Ortiz, Il Volo and DJ Alex Sensation.

The show will also include a special musical tribute to the late queen of salsa, Celia Cruz, produced by salsa veteran Sergio George and featuring Colombian sensation Maluma, princess of salsa India, Mexican icon Yuri and singer/actress Aymée Nuviola — who portrays Cruz in the new Telemundo series Celia.

Cruz to Receive Musical Tribute at This Year’s Latin American Music Awards

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Celia Cruz may be gone, but she’ll be remembered in a big way at the inaugural Latin American Music Awards.

The late Cuban-American salsa singer/performer and seven-time Grammy winner, who passed away in 2003 at the age of 77, will receive a musical tribute produced by Sergio George at the Latin AMAs.

George, a tropical music legend, has rounded up a diverse group of performers to honor the late Queen of Salsa’s legacy during the October 8 telecast on Telemundo, airing live from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Colombian sensation Maluma, princess of salsa India, Mexican icon Yuri and singer/actress Aymée Nuviola — who portrays Cruz in the new Telemundo series Celia — will sing a medley of her most beloved hits.

Presenting the tribute are Puerto Rican actors Jeimy Osorio and Modesto Lacén, who play Cruz and her husband/manager Pedro Knight during their younger years on Celia (Nuviola and renowned theater actor Willie Denton play the couple later in life).

Slated for an October 13 premiere, Celia chronicles Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso‘s evolution from a shy teen in pre-revolution Havana, Cuba, to a larger-than-life figure that brought the world to its feet with the power of her voice, inimitable style and exuberant presence. Along the way, Cruz battled racism, sexism and defied expectations of what a black female musician could achieve in the ’50s.

Other performers confirmed for the Latin AMAs include Paulina Rubio, Daddy Yankee, Jesse & Joy, Reik, Farruko, Fonseca, Shaggy, Lil Jon, Yandel, Natalie La Rose, Jencarlos Canela, Luis Coronel, CD9, Gloria Trevi, Gerardo Ortiz and Il Volo.

Jesse & Joy to Perform at This Year’s Latin American Music Awards

Posted on September 18, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Jesse & Joy will be spreading their (ecos de) amor at this year’s Latin American Music Awards.

The Mexican pop duo, comprised of siblings Jesse Huerta and Tirzah Joy Huerta, have been added to the lineup of the first-ever Latin AMAs.

No word on what song Jesse & Joy will perform, but all bets are on the duo’s new ballad, “Ecos de Amor.”

Jesse & Joy will join a lineup that includes Paulina Rubio, Daddy Yankee, Yuri, Reik, Farruko, Fonseca and Shaggy.

The Latin AMAs, the first-ever Spanish language award show modeled after the American Music Awards, will be broadcast on October 8 on Telemundo, live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

The newly announced performers will join Lil Jon, Yandel, Natalie La Rose, Jencarlos Canela, Maluma, Luis Coronel, CD9, Gloria Trevi, Gerardo Ortiz and Il Volo.

With awards given in 20 categories, winners to the Latin AMAs will be voted by the fans in the traditional format of the American Music Awards.

Fans from the United States and Puerto Rico can vote online now at www.LatinAMAs.com/vota, through Wednesday, Septenber 30 at 12:00 pm EST.

Fans worldwide can vote via Twitter by posting a tweet that contains first and last name of the nominee, category and the hashtag #LatinAMAs.

Lopez to Perform at This Year’s iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina

Posted on August 19, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Jennifer Lopez is ready for a Fiesta…

The 46-year-old Puerto Rican singer, actress and American Idol judge has been added to the lineup for this year’s iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina in Miami.

J.Lo joins a roster that includes her frequent collaborators Pitbull and Prince Royce, with whom she worked with on his recent single “Back It Up.”

The event will be held at the American Airlines Arena on Nov. 7, with a video live stream on Yahoo Live and broadcast on iHeartMedia Spanish-Pop, Tropical, regional Mexican and Spanish Adult Hit radio stations across the U.S.

The show will also have a television re-broadcast via Telemundo on November 15.

Other acts announced include Don Omar, Marco Antonio Solis, Wisin, Camila, Becky G, Fonseca and Voz de Mando.

“For the first time ever Latin music fans will be able to experience the iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina everywhere, from the radio, live video stream and broadcast television,” said President of Entertainment Enterprises and Producer, iHeartMedia John Sykes in a statement. “The fans demanded it, so we have made the show available virtually everywhere they turn.”

Tom Poleman, President of National Programming Platforms and Producer, iHeartMedia, added in a statement, “With every iHeartMedia event, we strive to make music pop culture moments. iHeartMedia specializes in creating events that go down in music history for their massive A-level lineups and never-before-seen collaborations. This year’s iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina is no different, and will feature the biggest acts in the genre. It’s going to be an unforgettable night in Miami.”

Tickets go on sale to the general public on August 22.

Juanes to Perform New Spanish Song “Juntos” at the Grammys

Posted on February 3, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Juanes is ready to bring a little Spanish flair to the Grammys…

The 42-year-old Colombian rockero will sing again at the Grammy Awards, but this time he’ll perform a song of his own, en español.

Juanes, who in 2013 sang an English-Spanish rendition of Elton John‘s “Your Song,” says appearing on the telecast again on Sunday is like a dream come true.

“I’m very excited. I can’t believe this is going to happen. You know, I’ve been waiting for this moment for many years and we are very excited now that it’s about to come, to happen,” Juanes told The Associated Press on Monday in an interview at his recording studio in Miami, where he lives.

“We are going to perform a new song called ‘Juntos,’ or ‘Together,’ the song that we made for the Disney movie McFarland, USA,” he added. “So, yes, we’re rehearsing and practicing a lot, and just … (getting) ready for that big night”.

It may be the biggest Latin moment at the Grammys since Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony sang “Escapémonos” exactly 10 years ago.

Juanes, who has won two Grammys and 19 Latin Grammys, sees the telecast as a “big window,” as “something very special” that will allow him to connect with many people and once more be among other musicians like him.

He said that when he saw McFarland, USA in Los Angeles, after Disney Studios contacted him to ask if he could write a song for the movie, he liked it so much that he accepted.

“It touched my heart in a very positive way, in a very deep way,” he said. “It’s a very inspiring story.”

The movie, starring Kevin Costner as a cross country coach in Bakersfield, California, follows a group of young Latin American immigrants that through very hard work get to be championship contenders. It opens February 20 in the U.S.

“The inspiration (for the song) comes from the movie itself, the idea that when people work together and when people believe in the other anything can be possible,” said Juanes, who co-wrote it with fellow Colombian Fonseca and Cuban Descemer Bueno, under the production of renowned Dominican singer, songwriter and producer Juan Luis Guerra, also a Grammy winner.

Juanes is working on a new album at the moment. He plans to go on tour next year around the U.S. and Latin America.

The 57th annual Grammy Awards will air live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on CBS.

Fonseca Pens Anthem for Change, “Rise Up,” with Jon Batiste

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Fonseca is encouraging the masses to rise up…

The 35-year-old Colombian singer/songwriter has partnered with American jazz artist and composer Jon Batiste to co-write “Rise Up,” the theme song to a special one-day summit of the same name.

Fusion, the television and digital company launched as a joint venture between Univision and Disney/ABC Television, will host its first RiseUp summit on November 19 in Washington, D.C.

The one-day event will bring together global activists, artists, politicians and technologists from around the world.

As part of “RiseUp,” Fonseca and Batiste penned the theme song, which is available on iTunes now.

The track is being called an anthem for change (“Stand Up to the world, rise up for what you care,” says the chorus) with jazz and pop influences. All proceeds from the song will be donated to UNICEF.

Fonseca and Batiste will perform “Rise Up” at the summit during an evening concert directed by producer Andres Levin. It will also feature his fusion band, Yerba Buena.

The RiseUp summit will spotlight recent youth-led movements and activism in places as far-flung as Venezuela, Egypt, Taiwan and Turkey.

Fonseca Bringing His Ilusión World Tour to 15 U.S. Cities

Posted on March 17, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Fonseca is taking his show on the road… to the United States.

The 33-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter is launching the U.S. leg of his Ilusión World Tour with backing from Marca Colombia—his country’s official branding entity—and Colombia’s Avianca Airlines.

It’s the first time both entities have sponsored a tour by a Colombian artist.

Fonseca’s tour takes its name from his latest album Ilusión, a mix of tropical and pop music that earned Fonseca a Latin Grammy last year for best tropical/fusion album and received a Grammy nod for best Latin pop album.

The 15-city tour begins April 11 at the House of Blues in Dallas and includes stops in Houston, New York, Miami and San Francisco.

During his tour, Fonseca is expected to promote a positive Colombia message as part of the country’s “Colombia Is the Answer” campaign to evoke a strong image of the South American nation abroad.

Fonseca’s current single, “Desde que no estás,” is No. 5 this week on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart.

Here’s a look at Fonseca’s U.S. tour dates:

4/11/13 Dallas House Of Blues

4/12/13 San Antonio Club Rio

4/14/13 Houston House Of Blues

4/17/13 Washington Howard Theatre

4/18/13 New York Irving Plaza

4/19/13 Boston Wonderland Ballroom

4/20/13 Montreal The Metropolis

4/21/13 Raleigh The Ritz

4/26/13 Miami Fillmore Theatre

4/27/13 Orlando Hard Rock

4/28/13 Charlotte The Fillmore

5/09/13 Los Angeles Club Nokia

5/10/13 Ventura Majestic Ventura Theatre

5/11/13 San Francisco The Regency Theatre

5/12/13 Seattle, WA Meyden Bauer Center

Juanes to Perform at Sunday’s Grammy Awards…

Posted on February 8, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Juanes won’t just be attending this year’s Grammy Awards as a nominee; he’s also a scheduled performer…

The 40-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter will perform at Sunday’s Grammy Awards (February 10) ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, according to Universal Music, his record label.

Juanes, nominated for a gilded gramophone from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in the Best Latin Pop Album category for Juanes MTV Unplugged Deluxe Edition, will join a list of performers that includies Bruno Mars, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Mumford & Sons and The Black Keys.

Juanes, the winner of last year’s Latin Grammy for Album of the Year for the same project, which was recorded in early 2012 before a live audience at the New World Symphony Center in Miami, is competing against Ricardo Arjona, Fonseca, Kany Garcia and Jesse & Joy for the prize.
In all, Juanes – who will be releasing his memoir in April – has earned 19 Latin Grammys and one Grammy award during his career.

Jesse & Joy Win Big at the Latin Grammys…

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

There’s plenty of joy in Jesse & Joy’s world this week…

The Mexican pop/rock duo proved to be the ultimate victor at Thursday night’s Latin Grammy Awards show.

The 29-year-old Jesse Huerta and his 26-year-old hermanita Joy Huerta picked up four awards during the show, including best record, song and contemporary pop vocal album.

“Thanks to the best fans in the world,” said Jesse, who with his sister picked up the Best New Artist award at the 2007 Latin Grammys. “It feels incredible. We’ve not been at the Latin Grammys since 2007, so this feels like a great comeback.”

Jesse & Joy, who recently released the music video for the duo’s latest single “¿Con Quién Se Queda El Perro?”, also won the award for best short form music video for their single “Me Voy.”

Meanwhile, Colombian pop-rock singer Juanes, who will launch a tour next May, took home two awards for his MTV Unplugged set, including album of the year and best short form music video. When asked if he gets nervous before an awards show, he said that he definitely thinks about the entire process.

“I don’t suffer,” said Juanes. “You think maybe it’s there, maybe it’s not. These wins are much more than I imaged.”

Cuban jazz trumpeter, pianist and composer Arturo Sandoval won two trophies for best Latin jazz album (“Dear Diz – Every Day I Think of You“) and best tango album (“Tango – Como Yo Te Siento“).

“I’d like to dedicate this award to my father who turned me on to the tango,” said Sandoval as he received his award. “He was a mechanic, but when he spoke about the tango he knew all of the melodies.”

Mexico’s Carla Morrison, one of the year’s most celebrated indie pop acts, took the prize for best alternative song for her emotionally-driven “Déjenme Llorar,” a song about breaking up, which has helped the singer/songwriter become a YouTube sensation. Later she also won for best alternative music album.

“This is also for all the kids who have broken hearts,” Morrison said.

Mexico’s DJ collective 3BallMTY won the best new artist trophy in an acceptance speech that left the teen act in tears.

“We’re very happy and we really wanted this,” said a tearful Albert Presenda, aka DJ Otto. “We especially want to thank our families who have put up with so much of our traveling.”

Other winners included Pepe Aguilar for best ranchero album, Milly Quezada for best contemporary tropical album for “Aqui Estoy Yo,” Fonseca‘s Ilusion+ for best tropical fusion album — beating out Prince Royce — and Tucanes de Tijuana‘s 365 Dias for best norteño album.

Hosted by actress/singer Lucero and actor Cristian de la Fuente, the first round of awards included a prize for Spanish pop singer David Bisbal, who won for best pop traditional vocal album.

Earlier in the day during the Latin Grammy pre-telecast, more than 30 awards were given in a ceremony at the House of Blues at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, including producer of the year to Juan Luis Guerra.

For a complete list of winners, go to latingrammy.com.

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