The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) announced the 2014 Hispanic Heritage Awards Honorees, who will receive their prestigious recognition on September 18 at the Warner Theatre in Washington, DC. Colombian vallenato renovator Carlos Vives will receive the Hispanic Heritage Foundation Legend Award.
Carlos Vives is a singer-songwriter, composer, and actor that is famous in all Latin America. He was born in Santa Marta, on the Caribbean coast of Colombia in the early 1960s. Carlos’ music has rock influences but many of his songs also have a true Vallenato flavor. Vallenato is a popular Colombian genre where the accordion plays an important role.
The 1993 album Clásicos de la Provincia was landmark release, in which Vives started fusing vallenato with rock, pop and other Caribbean Colombian traditional rhythms. The album’s ‘La Gota Fría,’ became a hit throughout Latin America
His song ‘La tierra del olvido’ (The Land of Oblivion) from the 1995 album La tierra del olvido was a huge hit in Colombia and in all Latin America during the 90s. Throughout his career, Vives has sold more than 20 million albums, a Grammy and 7 Latin Grammys, and multiple gold and platinum albums. The songs “Volvi a Nacer”, “Como Le Gusta a Tu Cuerpo” y “Bailar Contigo” were all #1 on Billboard, also reaching #1 in Mexico, Venezuela, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, and Central America.
Carlos Vives is also a famous actor and personality in Colombia.
The 2014 Honorees are:
Legend – Carlos Vives, presented by AARP
Education – the Hayden High School Robotics Team presented by Target
Sports – Bernie Williams presented Amtrak
Leadership – Henry R. Munoz III
Vision – Zoe Saldaña, presented by Hershey’s
STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) – Rep. Ruben Hinojosa presented by ExxonMobil
Master of Arts – Pepe Aguilar, presented by Southwest Airlines
Special Recognition – 65th Infantry Regiment of the US Army “The Borinqueneers”
“The Hispanic Heritage Foundation is proud to honor yet another inspiring group of Latino leaders with our prestigious Hispanic Heritage Award,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, president and CEO of HHF. “The Hispanic community has made significant contributions throughout history, and we are proud to recognize that impact. Beyond celebrating our past success, we are focused on the future. Now more than ever, Latinos will play a vital role in moving America forward, and we applaud our sponsors, including Target as our presenting sponsor, for their leadership. We are also thrilled to reach a broader audience through the partnership with PBS, who will broadcast the Awards.”
Top Hispanic performers and personalities will pay tribute to the Honorees from stage featuring a special performance to close program.
The Hispanic Heritage Awards were established in 1987 by the White House to commemorate the creation of Hispanic Heritage Month in America. Since that time, the Hispanic Heritage Awards are considered among the highest honors for Hispanics by Hispanics. The Awards are supported by nearly 40 national Hispanic-serving institutions who co-host the program.
The Awards serve as a launch of HHF’s year-round award-winning programs which inspire, identify, prepare, and position Hispanic leaders in the classroom, community and workforce to meet America’s priorities. HHF also promotes cultural pride, accomplishment, and the great promise of the community through public awareness campaigns seen by millions.
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
