COMMENTARY by Tony Carrion
ANOTHER CLOSE-UP ON THE AWARDS
As is my nature, especially at an event of such importance, I conducted a number of mini-interviews with participants and observers of the Latin NY Music Awards Presentation. I looked for comments from musicians, media persons, promoters, record companies and you, the genera( public So without any further ado, here are some responses to the question: "How did you feel about the Music Awards Presentation?"
TITO PUENTE
I'm glad I had the opportunity to be part of the Awards Presentation and to be recognized by Latin NY Magazine and my people. I feel that Latin NY and those responsible for the show did a hell of a job in puttng it together, and they should congratulated.
RAY BARRETTO
We didn't need NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences); we did it ourselves. Our people have made this the happiest night of my life.
STEVIE WONDER
NARAS should Start to recognize Latin Music and Create and a category for it in the Grammys. Latin Music has influenced different forms ofmusic, Black Music for example, as you can see in my tune "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing." This music makes you move.
OLGA GONZALES
(Spectator): The Music Awards was the greatest show I've ever been to! Mucho congratulations and gracias to lzzy Sanahria and the staff of Latin NY for seeing our ~ musicians get their due credit.
ANGELO FALCON
(Director of ASPlRA NYC): Latin NY and those responsible for putting the Music Awards show together should be given a collective pat on the back for their superhuman effort.
PHIL DeCARLO
(TR Records): The show uplifted Latin Music and gave record companies another goal to reach for in record production. Rather than just competing for dollars and putting anything on the market, our record company will be concerned with putting out a quality product. Since the Awards show brought Salsa music to new heights and national attention, record companies will have to be very concerned about quality, not quantity.
RALPH CARTAGENA
(Rico Records): Congratulations to lzzy Sanabria and Latin NY for a great, great show. The recognition our arttsts received shows that there is more cooperation from the public and I hope to see more events like this
HECTOR MlAlSONAVE
(Promoter): As a promoter I was impressed with the show; it was probably one of the best shows I've ever seen. I was also very impressed with lzzy Sanabria's stage talents, Louie Ramirez's Latin NY Orchestra, and I feel that next year, Latin NY should receive an award for promotion of the year.
BILL PEREZ
Bill Perez (Government Official): I was very prood to be with my people at the Awards. It was an incredible show and I had no idea it was going to come off the way it did. I am also glad 1 had the opportunity to get the President of the United States to acknowledge the Latin people, Latin music and our achievements in heiping to advance the cause of Salsa.
LOlDA VASQUEZ
(Television Producer): While the Awards was a great show full of entertainment and historical importance, the Latino Community should not become complacent with this event. If we want the world to know what we're about, we have to struggle for greater recognition from the non-Latin Community.
RENE LOPEZ
(Latin Musicologist and Specialist in Cuban Music): t feel that it's important that musicians be recognized through award presentations such as this magnificent show. However, I feel that since the readers voted in the Music Poll rather than the musicians themselves, the Poll and the Awards turned out to be a popularity contest. In other words, musicians would have based their votes on musical knowledge rather than popularity.
JOE GAlNES
(Radio Personality): Nothing keeps Latin people from recognizing their music and musicians. It was a great honor to participate in the show, and I think congratulations are in order for lzzy Sanabria and Latin NY Magazine.
JERRY MASUCCI
(Fania Records president): Well, what can I say--the show was just fantastic! It was a great effort on the part of Latin NY, and as far as recognifion of Latin Music and Latin Musicians, it was the right thing to do.
