Paul Reddick won the SOCAN-sponsored Songwriter of the Year honours at the 2009 edition of the Maple Blues Awards, presented Jan. 19, 2009, at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto. Accepting the award, Reddick kept his comments concise, saying “It’s a great pleasure to sing, write and play blues music.”

The late Jeff Healey and his band were the night’s big winners, earning awards in seven individual categories – including Entertainer, Electric Artist, Guitarist and Recording of the Year (for his posthumous album Mess of Blues). A video clip of Healey performing Neil Young’s “Like A Hurricane” inspired a standing ovation from the full house.

The awards ceremonies were also highlighted by a series of standout performances, including the rousing Toronto debut of Vancouver gospel trio The Sojourners; a passionate vocal performance by Toronto’s Treasa Levasseur of her song, “Stuck in Soulsville”; an electrifying guitar showcase by Ottawa’s J.W. Jones; and captivating pieces from Ray Bonneville, Harrison Kennedy and Shakura S’Aida.

The day before the awards, on Jan. 18, 2009, as part of the affiliated “Blues Summit IV,” SOCAN presented a “Songs & Stories” songwriters’ circle for delegates, from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at Monarch’s Pub in the host hotel, Toronto’s Delta Chelsea. Performers at the event were Suzie Vinnick (who went on to win the Female Vocalist of the Year Award), Matt Andersen, Ray Bonneville and Amos Garrett (who won the Blues With A Feeling Award), all of whom were accompanied by Garrett’s regular saxophonist, Dave Babcock.

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.