Legendary bluesman Son House is quoted as saying "I'm talking about the blues now, I ain't talkin' about no monkey junk".  Such was not the case at the 13^th annual Maple Blues Awards, held at Koerner Hall in Toronto. Ottawa based blues band Monkey Junk were the big winners with five awards, including Entertainer of the Year, Electric Act of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year (Steve Marriner), Guitarist of the Year (Tony D) and Harmonica Player of the Year (Steve Marriner).

Musician Ken Whiteley presented Chris Whiteley & Diana Braithwaite with the SOCAN Songwriter of the Year award. Chris Whiteley was the also winner of both the Horn Player of the Year award and the Blues With a Feeling Award. Toronto's Blackburn were awarded the New Artist of the Year.   The late Jeff Healey's "Songs From the Road" won Recording of the Year, presented to producer Alec Fraser, who recently recovered from a serious illness.  Fraser also took home the Bassist of the Year award.  A stunning performance with the Maple Blues Band from Harry Manx followed his win for Acoustic Act of the Year.

Saskatchewan native Suzie Vinnick picked up female vocalist of the year and also presented, along with Toronto Blues Society president Derek Andrews, the Blues Booster Award to DAWG FM's Ed Torres.   DAWG FM will launch the nation's first all blues radio service in Ottawa this June.

A celebration of Canadian blues music; the Maple Blues Awards is Canada's only National blues awards program. Its goal is to promote blues music across Canada, and to recognize outstanding achievement in the field.  

For a full list of 2010 Maple Blues Award Winners - http://www.torontobluessociety.com/mba/winners.htm
(Thanks to Sarah French, Sarah French Publicity and Time Des Islets, Toronto Blues Society)