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A Pacific Northwest native, Cheryl attended the University of Washington majoring in Speech & Drama; she then attended Cornish College of the Arts where she studied composition and music theory.

 

She was then asked to tour with the legendary Bonnie Guitar as part of her band. While recording her first LP "Something New" she met and struck up a lifetime friendship with the great Chet Atkins.

 

After five years with The Bonnie Guitar Show, Cheryl struck out on her own to form Blue Mariah with her husband, Mike Stipek. In 2013, Cheryl and Mike invited her talented sister Tammy and her husband John Mucklestone to become part of the band. It was a magical combination which has proven successful with the release of their third Nashville CD, Southern Cross! 

  • The Blue Mariah Band has become one of the most sought-after, high-energy bands on the west coast, opening for such acts as:

  • Miss Bonnie Guitar

  • Johnny Cash

  • Reba McEntire

  • Josh Turner

  • Loretta Lynn

  • Tammy Wynette

  • Merilee Rush

  • Hoyt Axton

  • Vince Gill

  • Nokie Edwards

  • Gerry Andal

  • The Ink Spots

  • Roy Clark

  • Willie Nelson

  • B. J. Thomas

  • Clint Black

  • Waylon Jennings

  • Ricky Skaggs

  • Lorrie Morgan

  • Patty Loveless

  • Ricky Nelson

  • Mel McDaniel

  • The Bellamy Brothers

  • Bobby Bare

  • Del Reeves

  • Merle Travis

  • Ferlin Husky

  • and many more.

  • The Blue Mariah Band has played at these fine venues and events:

  • KMPS Picnic, King County Fairgrounds, >48,000 attendance.

  • Ellensburg Rodeo VIP Party

  • Street Dances

  • Music in the Parks

  • Bite of Seattle

  • Bite of Tacoma

  • Taste of Edmonds

  • Private parties for Microsoft, Boeing, Seattle Seahawks, Pendleton Roundup

  • Promotional band for Alaska Airlines, travelling throughout the Alaskan Oil Fields.

  • Final Four Kingdome Concert

  • Lou Tice Ranch

  • The Paramount Theatre

  • Seattle Center Opera House & Mural Ampitheater

  • Regional fairs throughout the west coast.

  • Many TV appearances and telethons

  • American Morgan Horse Association convention

  • Arabian Horse Convention

Gone but not forgotten
Although these clubs are just a memory now, we are proud to say, "We played there!"

  • The Riverside (house band)

  • Montana's (house band)

  • Gerry Andal's Ranch Restaurants

  • The Cascade Restaurant

  • The Longhorn Bar & Grill

  • Soap Lake Businessmen's Club

  • Pier 70

  • Parker's (RIP)

Current Band Members

Cheryl Arnold - Vocals
Tammy Arnold - Vocals
Mike Stipek - Bass and vocals
Dan Pakinas - Drums and vocals
John Mucklestone - Keyboards and vocals
Billy-Ray Barnard - Guitar and vocals
Justin Mucklestone - Guitar and vocals

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Some other fine musicians who have played (and still do from time to time) with us are John Agostino, J. D. Hoag, Tom Westley, Rick Boice, Marc Willet, Don Wilhelm, Steve Pearson, Dave Dean, Bobby Englebert, Dan Pakinas, Dave Moore, Gene Nygaard, Bill Jung, Roger Iverson, Jeff Curtis, Pat Tennis, Tim Tennis, Dave Christensen, and John Woodle.

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