Kendra Kay, the Elkhorn-borncountry music singer/songwriter has had a stellar year with a busy summer on tour. Her real country roots and her powerhouse vocals are making a name for her and she has recently signed with an agency that will promoteher more broadly.
On Aug. 20, Sakamoto Agency added Kay to their international roster.
Kay is excited about this and says, "Being signed onto Sakamoto's roster is such a huge milestone for my career. Their reputation in the business is incredible and to be a part of their team is so exciting for me!" says Kay. "To have an agency with so much respect in the music business standing behind me will definitely help to open new doors and create new and exciting opportunities!"
STELLAR SUMMER
This summer she toured across Canada, with stops in BC, Alberta, SK and MB which found her playing shows supporting artists like James Barker Band, Jess Moskaluke, Charlie Major and Gord Bamford, along with performing a brand new single she wrote called 'Grandpa's Gibson', which has quickly become a fan favourite.
The East likes this Western gal too. On her Ontario tour Kay was well received at shows in both Ottawa and Toronto.
Her career highlights include the release of two singles in 2018 that made their appearance in the Top 100 Canada Country National Airplay chart for a combined 17 weeks, and amassed nearly half a million streams.
Kay also took home the Manitoba Country Music Award for Fan's Choice Entertainer of the Year, and the Canadian Independent Music 'Video of the Year' Award for 'Best Country Video', in the last 12 months.
Daughter of Elkhorn's Ken and Sandra Kvemshagen, Kay has had to punch through invisible but very real barriers.
"With anything in life, there's always road blocks that come up. I'd say the biggest one for me in my career is the struggle that us female artists have to make headway."
She says there is a lack of female artists in the media, on radio and across the music scene.
"To see the growth and barriers than I have overcome over this past year shows that hard work and passion pays off.”
Sakamoto's Carla Hackman has been working in a development role with Kay and her team for the last six months, now moving her to fully signed roster artist.
After booking Kay's shows at the Altona Sunflower Festival, Darwell Barnburner (AB) and the CPCA Chuckwagon Finals in Lloydminster this summer, Hackman says, "When I first saw Kendra play, her live show really demanded my attention. Her passion, drive, and enthusiasm for music kept me dedicated, and now we look forward to propelling this young star onto stages across the nation!"
Kay has her eyes on her future.
She says, "This business is tough regardless who you are so to be continually reaching new milestones in my career helps me to keep pushing forward."
