Ernestine Romero, Brenda Ortega top winners at 2016 Hispano Music Awards

Ernestine Romero and Brenda Ortega were the big winners at the 25th Annual New Mexico Hispano Music Awards on Saturday night (January 16), taking home three awards each.

Romero’s album Gracias Señor was awarded CD Of The Year. The 28-year-old singer from Pojoaque, New Mexico, added wins for Cumbia Song Of The Year with “Toma Mi Amor” and “Cumbia Cabeza” won Salsa Tropical Song Of The Year.

“I can’t even tell you how blessed and excited I feel.” Romero posted on her official Facebook page on Sunday. “All these years performing and recording 9 CDs throughout my career. I can’t thank my parents enough for their support. My family, friends and especially my fans. To My band, each night that we perform at all our shows. Thank you guys and I love you all. A huge thank you to the 2 guys that made this CD the best it can be. Mr. Pablo Urbina and Eddie Perez. We did it!”

Ortega was awarded Rising Star Artist/Group Of The Year, Original Song Of The Year for “Me Voy A Poner A Cantar” and Song Of The Year for “Padre Querido,” a song originally done by her father Juan Ortega.

The awards show, presented by the New Mexico Hispano Music Association (NMHMA), was held at the Ohkay Casino and Conference Center in Espanola, New Mexico, and showcased memorable performances from the night’s winners, nominees and more.

The NMHMA’s mission is to help preserve through music, the unique culture and heritage of New Mexico. To preserve, and promote the performance style and repertoire of New Mexico Hispano Music.

See the full list of winners and nominees below.

Female Vocalist Of The Year
Andrea Lucero – Winner
Brenda Ortega
Ernestine Romero
Miranda
Tanya Griego

Male Vocalist Of The Year
Andrew Thomas Gonzales
Anthony Lucero – WINNER
Chris J. Arellano
David Lee Rodriguez
Jerry Dean Cruz

Crossover Song Of The Year
“Cumbia Cabeza” – Ernestine Romero
“Malagueña Salerosa” – Ken Montaño
“My Girl/Mi Amor” – Miguel Timoteo
“Para Que Vivo” – Str8 Shot
“Un Puño De Tierra” – Chris J. Arellano – WINNER

Songwriter Of The Year
Carlos Medina – “Mi Bendicion”
Ernestine Romero & Pablo Urbina – “Toma Mi Amor”
Jake Arellano/Chris Arellano – “Cuentas Que Te Vas” – WINNER
Javier Galvan – “Adios Padre Mio”
Juan Ortega – “Me Voy A Poner A Cantar”

CD Of The Year
Chris J. Arellano – Chris J. Arellano
El Primero – Str8 Shot
Eterno Miguel – Timoteo
Gracias Señor – Ernestine Romero – WINNER
Mi Bendicion – Tanya Griego

Vocal Duo Of The Year
Bobby Madrid & Darren Cordova – “Que Pasa Amigo” – WINNER
Dezi Cisneros & Darren Cordova – “Te Sigo Extrañando”
Ernestine Romero & Dynette Marie – “Cosas Del Amor”
Severo Martinez & Marissa Sandoval – “Quiero Saber”
Tanya Griego & Justin Anaya – “Sera Porque Te Amo”

Instrumental Song Of The Year
“Adelita” – Bobby Madrid
“Polka Contenta” – Mario Romero – WINNER
“Polka De Valdez” – Aaron Trujillo
“Polka Piñoncito” – Benny Lucero
“Sleep Walk” – Michael Angelo

Band Of The Year
Cuarenta Y Cinco
Darren Cordova Y Calor
Los Blue Ventures – WINNER
Perfeccion
Severo Y Grupo Fuego

Mark Ipiotis Of The Year
Dannette Jacquez-Avila – KRZA
Glenda Martinez – KDCE
Kevin Otero – KANW
Norberto Martinez – KXMT
Tomas Nomas Garcia – KDCE – WINNER

Conjunto Norteño Song Of The Year
“Cuando Abras Los Ojos” – Ernestine Romero
“Devuelveme El Corazon” – Tanya Griego – WINNER
“Diosito Mio” – Miranda
“Estupido Corazon” – Miguel Timoteo
“Palomita Piquito De Oro” – Ken Montaño

Bilingual Song Of The Year
“Angelito” – Miranda
“Bring It Home/Traemelo” – Str8 Shot – WINNER
“My Girl/Mi Amor” – Miguel Timoteo
“Need You Now” – Lori Ortega
“Quiero Saber” – Severo Y Grupo Fuego

Producer Of The Year
Chris J. Arellano – Chris J. Arellano
Eddie Perez & Tanya Griego – Mi Bendicion
Gilbert Jaramillo – El Primero Str8 Shot
Jerry Dean – Sinceramente – WINNER
Pablo Urbina & Willie Romero – Gracias Señor

Gospel Song Of The Year
“Buenos Dias Mi Dios” – Miguel Timoteo – WINNER
“Gracias Señor” – Ernestine Romero & Ruben Ramos
“Le Habla A Los Angeles” – Michael Angelo
“Que Grande El Amor De Dios” – Christian Sanchez
“Solo Puedo Imaginarme” – Benito Cordova (Sweet Daddy BC)

Original Song Of The Year
“Adios Padre Mio” – Andrew Thomas Gonzales
“Cuentas Que Te Vas” – Chris J. Arellano
“Enseñame” – Ken Montaño
“Gracias Señor” – Ernestine Romero & Ruben Ramos
“Me Voy A Poner A Cantar” – Brenda Ortega – WINNER

Traditional Ranchera Song Of The Year
“Ay Ojitos” – Daniel Lee Gallegos
“Bendiciones A Mi Madre” – Ernestine Romero
“Cruz De Palo” – Jerry Dean – WINNER
“El Aguila Negra” – Str8 Shot
“Golpe Traidor” – Tanya Griego

Cumbia Song Of The Year
“Chiquitita Rhythm” – Divine Ft. Ernestine Romero
“Enseñame” – Ken Montaño
“Te Amo Y Te Deseo” – Str8 Shot
“Toma Mi Amor” – Ernestine Romero – WINNER
“Yo Te Quiero” – Tanya Griego

Corrido Song Of The Year
“Corrido, Solamente Yo” – Los Garrapatas
“Dile A Tu Esposa” – Tanya Griego
“El Corrido De Esiquel Archuleta” – Los Charros
“El Corrido De Juan Lorenzo” – Michael Angelo – WINNER
“Un Puño De Tierra” – Chris J. Arellano

Song Of The Year
“Adios Padre Mio” – Andrew Thomas Gonzales
“Cuentas Que Te Vas” – Chris J. Arellano
“Padre Querido” – Brenda Ortega – WINNER
“Que Pasa Amigo” – Bobby Madrid & Darren Cordova
“Te Sigo Extrañando” – Dezi Cisneros & Darren Cordova

Salsa Tropical Song Of The Year
“Cada Vez Que Te Miro” – Benny Lucero
“Cumbia Cabeza” – Ernestine Romero – WINNER
“Que Bonita Eres” – Los Garrapatas
“Quizas, Quizas, Quizas” – Miguel Timoteo
“Ven Mi Amor” – Los Gallegos Brozz

Rising Star Artist/Group Of The Year
Andrew Thomas Gonzales
Brenda Ortega – WINNER
Chris Arellano
David Lee Rodriguez
Str8 Shot

Hispano Lifetime Achievement Award
Donny Tesso – WINNER
Ernie Marquez
Michael Brasher
Nick Branchal
Steve Chavez