The Recording Academy® to Host Grammy Artists Revealed™ Featuring Alejandro Fernandez in Mexico City, Presented by MasterCard®

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Aug. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- The Recording Academy®  (www.grammy.com) will host its first international installment of GRAMMY Artists Revealed™, presented by MasterCard®, with three-time GRAMMY®-nominated artist Alejandro Fernandez on Wednesday, Sept. 1, at Lunario in Mexico City. As part of The Academy's continuing tradition of celebrating musical excellence and diversity throughout the year, this event — an installment of a new concert series that launched in 2009 — gives music fans the opportunity to see their favorite artist perform songs from his catalog in an up-close-and-personal, storyteller-style format, and allows artists to share anecdotes about their musical journey to the GRAMMYs.  

"As a multiple GRAMMY Award® nominee, two-time Latin GRAMMY winner, philanthropist, and a great ambassador for Mexico, we are pleased that Alejandro Fernandez will perform at our inaugural international GRAMMY Artists Revealed event in his hometown of Mexico City," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "Thanks to our continuing partnership with MasterCard, we are thrilled to bring an exciting GRAMMY event to music fans outside of the United States for the very first time."

"We are pleased to offer our cardholders a unique opportunity to meet one of the most famous singers in an exclusive and private performance," said Pablo Correa, Marketing Vice President for Mexico and the Caribbean, MasterCard Worldwide. "Our sponsorship of GRAMMY Artists Revealed leverages our commitment to reward the trust and loyalty of our cardholders with exclusive benefits that provide them unforgettable experiences."

Born in Mexico City and raised in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Alejandro Fernandez began singing in 1991 thanks to the encouragement of his father, legendary ranchera singer Vicente Fernandez. Since then, he has had a stellar career, selling more than 20 million albums worldwide and accumulating an impressive number of awards and recognitions, including three GRAMMY Award nominations (two in 1997, one in 1999), two Latin GRAMMY® Awards (2000, 2004), and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In addition to dueting with his father, Fernandez has performed duets with other talented artists throughout his career including Miguel Bose, Beyonce, Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo, Gloria Estefan, and Julio Iglesias, among many others.

He originally specialized in traditional, earthy forms of Mexican folk music, such as mariachi and ranchera, with his more recent work focusing on mainstream Latin pop. In December 2009, Fernandez launched his most ambitious project — releasing two albums simultaneously that showcased his two musical worlds; traditional and contemporary. Dos Mundos: Tradicion and Dos Mundos: Evolucion became multi-platinum albums in Mexico, the U.S., Spain, Argentina, and Chile.

More than 15 million people in more than 20 different countries have seen Fernandez in concert. Because he has always been committed to his state and his country by representing Mexican music and its traditions, the government of Jalisco recently honored Fernandez as an "ambassador of tourism for Jalisco." For more information, please visit www.alejandrofernandez.com.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, join the organization's social networks as a Twitter follower at www.twitter.com/thegrammys, a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/thegrammys, and a YouTube channel subscriber at www.youtube.com/thegrammys.

About MasterCard Worldwide

MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes over 22 billion transactions each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial-institution customers and merchants. Powered by the MasterCard Worldwide Network and through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information, go to www.mastercard.com. Follow us on Twitter: @mastercardnews.

SOURCE The Recording Academy