Stokes wins $75,000; nominated for three awards

It has been quite a ride the last few week for Stavely singing sensation Mariya Stokes. Not only did she take second place and a prize of $75,000 in Project WILD, a country artist development program, but she has been nominated for three Alberta Country Music Awards. In Project WILD, she was one of 12 artists competing in a contest that had several components over the past five months, competing for a grand prize of $100,953, a second prize of $75,000 and a third prize of $50,000. The participants attended a week-long boot camp where they worked with performance coaches and industry mentors. They also undertook several challenges including making a video to introduce themselves, as well as engagement, charity, and collaboration challenges. Stokes also had to write a report encompassing all these elements and two marketing plans – one covering if she won the grand prize, and one if she did not. The top three were announced on Nov. 3. They performed at a showcase on Nov. 30 where the placements were announced and Stokes won $75,000 for second place. “I was overwhelmed and excited,” Stokes said. “I’m so thankful for being in the top three this year.” She also participated in Project WILD last year, her first experience in the program, but did not make the final round. “I was so excited, “ she said of this year’s result. “I was going for top three. “It was really rewarding. “All the months of work we put in came to fruition.” The showcase began with Stokes performing, then the Blake Reid Band and Mariel Buckley. Then they all got on stage, where third place, the Blake Reid Band, was announced. There were now only two left. “It was a really cool moment,” Stokes said. Then Stokes’ name was announced as second place, and Buckley was the winner. Stokes was happy for Buckley, who she became good friends with at boot camp. “I really admire both her and Blake’s career,” she said. “I was super thrilled that Mariel won.” However, Stokes stressed that, although it is her name on the cheque, there is a whole team who made this possible. “I couldn’t have done it without

the team,” she said. Stokes also commends the sponsors. The second prize of $75,000 is not a cheque they give the winner. Instead, Stokes will submit expenses, as the funds are carefully monitored. “I’m going to use the funding to properly produce and promote a record,” she said, adding she wants to get things going and get some art out there. So far, the record is about half done. It contains all original music written by Stokes. “At this point we’re looking at all my own songs,” she said. The release date is spring of 2020, which is all part of a plan. “This funding helps move things along,” Stokes said. “It’s a huge break for me and a huge opportunity.” The good news kept coming, as Stokes was nominated for three Alberta Country Music Awards – female artist of the year; song of the year for “Hands on my Body”; and music video of the year for “Hands on my Body.” The awards will be handed out Jan. 26, 2020 in Red Deer, and Stokes will be performing at the awards. That, and she recently released her latest single, “Christmas, Arizona”. “It’s been a good couple weeks,” Stokes said.