JUANES Was Inducted Into The Latin Songwriters Hall Of Fame Last Night, As A Special Honoree During The Organization’s 10th Anniversary LA MUSA AWARDS

Last night saw multiple GRAMMY & LATIN GRAMMY winning Colombian rock singer-songwriter Juanes, inducted into The Latin Songwriters Hall Of Fame during the organization’s tenth anniversary LA MUSA AWARDS, which saw many leading figures of the Latin music world in attendance at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida. 

Juanes has long focused equal dedication to his deep convictions as a writer (exploring the power of love, the bonds of family and country, personal perseverance and peace as counterparts to enveloping violence) alongside the unique musicality he put into developing a distinctive sound fusing his passion for rock and pop with the folkloric /indigenous sounds of Colombia and Latin America. So, the evening’s induction was a very fitting and long deserved honor for the artist the New York Times hailed near the outset of his 20-year career as “a Man of Heart and Mind From Colombia… Juanes Is Latin America's hottest singer-songwriter… a soulful poet with electric guitar.” 

During the event segment dedicated to his induction, Juanes chose to perform a poignant medley of his penned hits that included Minas Piedras, La Vida Es Un Ratico, Es Por Ti and Volverte A Ver – backed by members of Juanes’ own longtime band, as well as an expanded house orchestra and backing vocalists. Then following deeply appreciated remarks from Warner Chappell COO Carianne Marshall formerly presenting his induction honor, Juanes himself spoke from his heart to his gathered industry peers and colleagues.

As he has always done first and foremost, thanking his parents and family that instilled both his convictions and love of music, followed by those friends and fellow musicians whose kindness and belief in his talent sustained him from his earliest days continued to know, and of course his sincere thanks to Rudy Perez, Desmond Child and the rest of the LSHOF team that had made the night possible. Then in closing, the newest LSHOF member spoke personally on the emotional vulnerability combined with resolution that comes with the pursuit of crafting a timeless song:

“…my love for music has always been stronger than the fear of being judged. And the fear also disappears when I witness something beautiful: those letters that are born from my imagination and that have faces and experiences of their own, travel and transmute into millions of new beings... and become yours, everyone's... they are no longer mine. And it is that being a composer is one of the most beautiful professions in the world, you can express yourself through words, adding, in, rhythm, melody and harmony, which only pure magic achieves. But at the same time, and because you are sensitive, you suffer more, you undress yourself to the world, you become vulnerable. Being a songwriter is painting days full of feelings with the brushes of voice and guitar, sitting in eternal lonely nights full of anguish to know if this, the song I'm making now, is the one I've been waiting for so many years. I came to this country 24 years ago and I have had to go through all those struggles… So, being here tonight is really important to me, first of all, because I am a songwriter, musician and producer, and being recognized by this community fills me with immense gratitude and happiness. And second, because I'm still and will continue to wait and work for that song that I've been waiting for so long to arrive. I know it will come.” – JUANES (translated from Spanish)

Over the course of the last year, Juanes added to his unrivaled award tally for a Latin solo artist, as his critically praised ORIGEN album won both an additional GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY award. The lovingly curated, return to rock roots collection that reimagines some of the most important songs and artists that shaped Juanes’ early musical vision, brings his career GRAMMY & LATIN GRAMMY total to 27. More recently , Juanes delved into crafting special releases celebrating the 20th anniversary of his landmark global breakthrough album Un Dia Normal. The latest of these special editions being a special physical format only edition (CD / Vinyl / Cassette), filled with rare demos & Juanes’ personal commentary on iconic hits such as A Dios Le Pido, Es Por Ti and more. Most importantly of all, Juanes has been back in the studio throughout the year working om a wealth of new music for coming soon new singles and his eagerly awaited next full album.