Pianist Arthur Hanlon gave away a Hamilton/Baldwin grand piano to the winner of the contest "Send Your Regards to La Gorda Linda" (Dec. 1). The contest marks the first time an artist has given away a valuable musical instrument for the U.S. Latin market.

Hanlon, whose Latin hit "La Gorda Linda" reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts earlier this year, is sponsored by Baldwin Piano. Giving a piano away, he says, is a way of getting back to a community who has given him unconditional support. "There is no better gift than the gift of music," said Hanlon. "It took me five years to pay off my first grand piano. It's very gratifying to be able to give someone else the joy that I've gotten from my piano."

Arthur Hanlon poses with Baldwin winner Elbalys Ortiz

Hanlon, fittingly, gave his Baldwin piano on Thanksgiving day during the TV show "El Escandalo" on the Telefutura network, which sponsored the giveaway along with Univision.com. Hanlon played "La Gorda Linda" with his band before congratulating the winner, Elbalys Ortiz, a young Puerto Rican mother who lives in Orlando. Her compliment was to her husband, a music lover who already plays the guitar.

"Winning this piano was the greatest surprise of my life," she said with tears in her eyes. Her next job, she added, "is learning how to play." For Hanlon, Elbalys is the first of many. "I think I was more excited than she was, to give this instrument to someone who really loves music and the piano,” added Hanlon. “One of my dreams is to give away a piano every year."