Country Artist & Songwriter
Pronounced Mah-Rye-Ah
"I first heard Mariya in a country bar in Calgary, Alberta. She captivated the room with just an acoustic guitar and her voice and "Hands On My Body" sounded like a hit, even in that simple setting.”
Carly Klassen
Executive Director, Alberta Music
ABOUT MARIYA
Whether she is...
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Co-hosting the Country Music Alberta Award Show alongside Juno award winner George Canyon
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Playing guitar and opening for Ru-Pauls Drag Race superstar Trixie Mattel
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Moonlighting as a ghost vocalist for European pop project, Hearts On The Run (Universal Music Group Norway) or
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Heading to Austin, TX with Travel Alberta to represent her home province on an international stage...
Stokes’ authenticity and clear bright voice are unmistakable.
Known for her quick wit, quirky sense of humour, and signature retro style, Country Music Alberta's two-time Horizon Female Artist of the Year, Maryia Stokes, is on the cusp of releasing her debut, full -length album. Blurring genre lines, the record combines traditional country storytelling with modern pop-influenced production by Juno Award-winners Spencer Cheyne and Justin Kudding and is slated for release in 2024.
A three-time CMAB "Songwriter of the Year" nominee, Stokes’ most recent release is a duet with rising Canadian country artist Ben Chase, featuring on “Met Too Young” on Chase’s debut album, “That Was Then, This Is Now.” Reaching #1 on the iTunes country chart and currently featured on Apple Music editorial playlist “Hot Country”, Stokes’ also co-wrote the title track. Songs Stokes co-wrote have been recorded by artists across genres, notably by CCMA nominees Leaving Thomas and country artist Shantaia (Universal Music Canada).
With confident, expressive vocals and gritty steel guitar, her most recent solo radio single, "Break My Heart," is a laid-back, pop-country feminist anthem and was nominated for "Horizon Single of the Year" at the Country Music Alberta (CMAB) Awards. Dripping with attitude, "Break My Heart" solidifies her commitment to empowering women and telling their stories.
Stokes’ 2019 feel-good debut,"Hands on My Body," pushed country music boundaries with an R&B feel and sex-positive lyrics. Her second single, "Christmas, Arizona," landed in the Top 100 on the BDS Canadian Holiday Chart and was followed by a vulnerable, heart-wrenching ballad: "Rebound." Released in October 2020, “Rebound” was featured across Canada as the "Next Big Thing" on the Casey Clarke Country Countdown and has over 300,000 streams on Spotify.
Growing up in Stavely, Alberta, an hour south of Calgary, Stokes spent time in her parents' small-town bar and, at eight years old, was sneaking in on Friday afternoons to sing with the local jam band. Now a seasoned performer, her recent tour dates include Cavendish Beach Music Festival (PEI), Nashville North at the Calgary Stampede (AB), Big Valley Jamboree (AB) and Elk Valley Pride (BC). In addition, she was selected to perform at the 2022 Canadian Country Music Association's (CCMA) Songwriter Showcase and has opened for Jade Eagleson, Doc Walker, and Jann Arden.
Giving back to the communities that raised her is essential to Stokes: as an artist representative on the CCMA 2022 Host Committee, Stokes co-chaired the Legacy and Community Engagement committee and was part of the team that planned, executed, and highlighted the CCMA's and Calgary during Canadian Country Music Week. She was also a 2020 Artist in Residence at the Women's Centre of Calgary.
SOCIALS - 20 K
STREAMING - 680 K
MUSIC
VIDEO
Mariya Stokes - Live Video
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
*indicates sold out show
2023
*Lielow Festival - Milo, AB
Stillhouse Songwriter Sessions - Lacombe, AB
Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB
Calgary Flames Game
Westerner Days - Red Deer, AB
Ol' MacDonalds Farm - Stettler, AB
George & Tammy Tribute with Duane Steele
The Dakota Tavern - Toronto, ON
Co-headlined with Devin Cooper
Blue Grotto at Capri - Hamilton, ON
Nashville North, Calgary Stampede - Calgary, AB
*Banff Trail Riders - Banff, AB
Co-headlined with Tim Hus
*A Not So Silent Summer supporting Not In My City - Calgary, AB
Co-billed with Paul Brandt
2022
*Southern Alberta Music Festival - Mossleigh, AB
Headliner
Country Thunder Alberta - Calgary, AB
Big Valley Jamboree - Camrose, AB
Cavendish Beach Music Festival - Cavendish, PEI
*Blue Jay Sessions, The Prairie Emporium - Calgary, AB
*Ferrari of Alberta Showroom - Calgary, AB
Direct Support for Dan Davidson
*Banded Peak Brewing - Calgary, AB
Showcased and represented Travel Alberta at the North American Tour Operators Association Conference - Austin, TX
Country Music Alberta Awards Show - Red Deer, AB
Whiskey Rose - Calgary, AB
Direct Support for Madeline Merlo
2021 / 2020
*Canadian Finals Rodeo - Red Deer, AB
*CES Virtual Shows - London, UK
Commodore Grill - Nashville, USA
*Country Music Alberta Holiday Showcase - Lacombe, AB
Blue Jay Sessions: Cross Country - Hamilton, ON
*Nashville North, Calgary Stampede - Calgary, AB
Elk Valley Pride Festival - Fernie, BC
Direct Support for Lindsay Ell
QUSIC Concert Series - Kelowna, BC
*Prairie Grid Market After Dark - Saskatoon, SK
*Rise Up Concert Series - Calgary, AB
Direct Support for Jade Eagleson with Devin Cooper
*Southern Alberta Music Festival - Mossleigh, AB
Dog Rump Creek Music Festival - Stony Plain, AB
Direct Support for Doc Walker
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
AWARDS & NOMINATIONS
2 x Winner - Horizon Female Artist of the Year (2019 & 2020)
1 x Nominee - Horizon Female Artist of the Year (2021)
1 x Nominee - Horizon Single of the Year (2021)
3 x Nominee - Songwriter of the Year (2019 - 2021)
1 x Nominee - Interactive Artist of the Year (2020)
1 x Nominee - Music Video of the Year (2019)
COUNTRY MUSIC ALBERTA
2nd Place (2019)
Top 12 (2018)
Presented by Alberta Music, WILD 95.3 (Calgary), and Jim Pattison Group
PROJECT WILD
COUNTRY ARTIST DEVELOPMENT
INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS
2023 - 2021
Canadian Country Music Association's Songwriters' Unplugged Showcase - Calgary, AB (2022)
Country Music Alberta Award Show - Red Deer, AB
Performer
Breakout West: "Back To Live" Showcase - Calgary, AB (2021)
Performer
Canadian Country Music Week: Sakamoto Agency Showcase - Hamilton, ON (2021)
Performer
Country Music Alberta Award Show - Edmonton, AB (2021)
Co-hosted with George Canyon
2020 - 2017
Country Music Alberta Award Show - Red Deer, AB (2020)
Performer
Country Music Alberta: Spotlight Series - Virtual (2020)
Performer
Breakout West: Featured Artist - Virtual (2020)
SOCAN Song Camp - Virtual (2020)
Alberta Music: Alberta Spotlight Series - Virtual (2020)
Performer
Breakout West: SOCAN Song House - Whitehorse, YK (2019)
Songwriting Masterclass with Grammy award winning songwriter and producer Stephen "Koz" Kozmeniuk
Alberta Music & Breakout West: Alberta Focus International Showcase - Calgary, AB (2019)
Performer
National Music Centre: RBC Master in Residence Program - Calgary, AB (2019)
Masterclass & mentorship program with Terri Clark
CMAB at CCMA Showcase - Hamilton, ON (2018)
Performer
Canada's Music Incubator Artist Entrepreneur Program - Toronto, ON (2017)
Mariya Stokes and co-host George Canyon on set at the Country Music Alberta Award Show - February 2020
SOCAN Song House
PRESS
“A masterclass in a restrained vocal performance, "Rebound" by Mariya Stokes has us feeling all the feels. All of them.”
"With a degree in life and music, Calgary country artist Mariya Stokes is in it for the slow burn."
“Break My Heart, the new single from Canadian country-soul queen Mariya Stokes, might just set your speakers on fire."
“After seeing Mariya Stokes’ “Hands On My Body” appear on the Top Country Sales Chart, I was immediately hooked. The song is catchy, fun and full of good vibes.”
VOLUNTEER WORK
Canadian Country Music Week - Host Committee (2022)
Women’s Centre of Calgary - Artist in Residence (2020)
Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre (2015 - 2018)
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Collaborated on two records with clients of the DI: "Shelter From The Storm" and "Verses vs. Homelessness"
2019 - 2023 volunteer performances supported:
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Skipping Stone Foundation
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Nanton Community Food Bank
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Community Kitchen Calgary
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Melodic Caring Project
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Ovarian Cancer Canada
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Alzheimer Society of Canada
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Paul Brandt’s "Not In My City"
Live Band Karaoke in Support of the Women's Centre of Calgary
Recap Video
CONTACT
Management & Booking
Natasha Mandrusiak, Stampede Entertainment
Publicity & Media Inquiries
Jess Seguire, Alley Cat PR
SOCIAL MEDIA - 20 K