We, the undersigned, are officially petitioning The Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc./The Latin GRAMMY Awardsto consider nominating the Venezuelan musician Simуn Dнaz forthe Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2009 Latin Grammies.

This amazing musician/composer succeeded in turning the songs of the Venezuelan plains into an authentic musical genre that, inspired by him, has been performed by such great artists as Argentinas Mercedes Sosa, Brazils Caetano Veloso, Spains Joan Manuel Serrat, Peru's Susana Baca, Puerto Ricos Danny Rivera, and Venezuelans Franco De Vita, Soledad Bravo and Josй Luis Rodrнguez, among others. Also, renowned conductors and composers of academic music have incorporated Simуn Dнaz songs in their orchestral and choral arrangements, thus signaling the universal nature of this musical genre.

His personal crusade aimed at the recovery of the lore and musical traditions of the llanos, the Venezuelan plains. Convinced that these conform a unique wealth of wit, wisdom, and musical heritage, he devoted himself resolutely to studying, composing and disseminating them
from Wikipedia

For this and many other reasons we believe he deserves to be recognized for his outstanding contribution in music.