Jenni Rivera Takes Top Honor At Premios De La Radio

Banda diva Jenni Rivera was named artist of the year Tuesday night at the tenth annual Premios de la Radio, the regional Mexican music awards show presented by Liberman Broadcasting.

Rivera, who was also named female soloist of the year, capped off the ceremony at Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre with a performance of "Ya Lo Se," the first single from her forthcoming mariachi album. Other performers during the evening included Alejandro Fernandez, Intocable, Los Dareyes de la Sierra, Los Horoscopos de Durango, Lupillo Rivera, Banda el Recodo, Banda MS, Larry Hernandez and Espinoza Paz, who duetted with Rivera on his hit "El Proximo Viernes."

The show was broadcast live on Liberman's Los Angeles TV station KRCA and taped to air on Liberman's new Estrella TV network the following evening. The broadcast was frequently punctuated by segments from Estrella TV's stable of comedians, though the ceremony was often marred by microphones that were off.

The night's winners included Hernandez for best new artist, El Compa Chuy's version of "El Corrido del Katch" for corrido of the year, Intocable for best norteño group, La Arrolladora Banda el Limon for best banda group and Los Tucanes de Tijuana's "Se Fue Mi Amor" for best norteño song. Grupo Montez de Durango's "Espero" was named best duranguense song, Banda MS' "El Mechon" was named most danceable song and Banda el Recodo's "Te Presumo" won best banda song.

One half of the feuding members of Alacranes Musical -- the faction that is now managed by Martin Fabian -- accepted the award for best duranguense group. Fernandez was named this year's ambassador of ranchera music.

The night's presenting sponsor was Tecate, which sponsored a VIP tent on the outdoor plaza in front of the venue as well as an award for Artist With Character, given to Andres Marquez "El Macizo". Other sponsors included Verizon Wireless, Men's Wearhouse, Volaris, Tequila Cazadores, McCafe and Blue Ribbon rice.