Grammy nominations show reveals its leader

Tropical singer-songwriter Juan Luis Guerra was on the top of the list of artists Wednesday with five Latin Grammy nominations.

Photo: Grammy nominations show reveals its leader

Ricky Martin and Calle 13 received four each, and Beyonce and Shakira were nominated for their duet "Beautiful Liar."

Guerra's nominations included album of the year, best merengue album for "La Llave De Mi Corazon (The Key to My Heart)," record of the year, song of the year and best tropical song.

"It's a great honor. It's a great privilege" said Guerra, who attended the announcements at the Miami Beach club Mansion, towering over the other nominees in a black suit and his trademark backward black beret.

Guerra brought the Dominican Republic's bachata rhythms to world recognition, but his work mixes tropical rhythms, rock, jazz and even gospel. Asked where his inspiration came from, Guerra said it varied.

"I pick up the guitar and begin to work," the Dominican native told The Associated Press. "Sometimes one feels these tremendous butterflies inside and one has to put them out there."

Guerra said his wife of 23 years, Nora Vega, inspired his latest album.

Martin was nominated for best album, best male pop vocal and best long video for his "MTV Unplugged" album and record of the year for "Tu Recuerdo" ("Your Memory"). The duo Calle 13's nominations included album of the year and best urban music album for "Residente o Visitante" ("Resident or Visitor").

Others multiple nominees included Spain's Miguel Bose, Colombian alt-rockers the Aterciopelados, Puerto Rican reggaeton star Daddy Yankee and veteran Brazilian performer Caetano Veloso.

Guerra was previously announced as the winner of the Person of the Year award. The Dominican native won for his best-selling sensual and spiritual tropical music and his work with orphans and abandoned children.

The eighth annual Latin Grammy Awards will be broadcast live on Nov. 8 from the Mandalay Bay casino-hotel in Las Vegas. Previously the event was held in Miami, Los Angeles and New York.