WHITBY — Juan Coronado just keeps piling up the accolades. Just recently, he won the Best World category at the Ontario Independent Music Awards at the Phoenix Concert Hall in Toronto, for his song 8th Floor. He’d also been nominated in best song. “It took me really by surprise,” said the native of Colombia who moved to Whitby several years ago. “It felt really good.” His win took the singer/guitarist/composer so much by surprise, he almost missed the presentation.

He had just performed at the show and was about to move his equipment to his car when he realized he didn’t have his car keys, he said. He went back to get them and heard his name being called as the winner. “It’s been an amazing year,” Coronado said. “First I was invited back to the Guitar Hero competition (held by Guitar Player magazine in the United States).” That was his second invitation to the international competition; he’s the first person ever invited back more than once.

And now the indie award. Meanwhile, he’s working in his recording studio on his second CD, as yet unnamed. His first, Renewal, combines his first love, rock, with this Latin roots. “I’m going to keep exploring the fusion of rock and my Latin roots,” he said. “I’m really happy about the first album and I’m going to keep exploring that on my second one.” While the first CD merged rock with his Colombian style, the second will venture into other Latin styles, including flamenco.

You can find out more about Coronado and buy his CD at www.juancoronado.com .