Chris Whiteley and Diana Braithwaite won the SOCAN-sponsored Songwriter of the Year award at the 2010 edition of the Maple Blues Awards, presented by the Toronto Blues Society on Jan. 18, at Koerner Hall in Toronto. The multi-talented Whiteley (who performed during the show as a member of the Maple Blues Band) was also named Horn Player of the Year and winner of the Blues with a Feeling Award for lifetime achievement.

Ottawa-based blues band Monkey Junk was the night’s big winner, taking home five awards, including those for Entertainer, Electric Act, Male Vocalist (Steve Marriner), Guitarist (Tony D) and Harmonica Player of the Year (also Marriner).

Other award winners included Toronto’s Blackburn (New Artist of the Year), the late Jeff Healey (whose Songs from the Road won Recording of the Year), Suzie Vinnick (Female Vocalist of the Year) and Alec Fraser (Bassist of the Year).

The show featured powerhouse performances by Montreal singer Clio, Vancouver-based rockabilly act The Twisters, singer/harmonica player Paul Reddick, innovator Harry Manx and the evening’s co-hosts, guitarist/bandleader Danny Marks and guitarist David Gogo.

The Maple Blues Awards are funded in part by the SOCAN Foundation. For a complete list of this year’s winners, visit the Maple Blues Awards website.