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Kendra Kay rocks Elkhorn

She's pre-releasing her EP “More to Me” in a full concert in her hometown along with guest musicians
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Country rock singer Kendra Kay

Kendra Kay is celebrating the release of her new EP, “More to Me” with a concert in Elkhorn on June 15. She has chosen to have her extended play release party in her hometown, to play her new music for everyone who has been with her every step of the journey.

“I wanted to give my supporters in Elkhorn the first look into the new music,” said Kay.

The CD isn’t officially released until later in the summer, however, for her Elkhorn concert there will be CDs available for sale.

“I wanted to give my home town a chance to hear the growth from all the hard work I’ve put into this album.”

However, the hard work which means travelling, late nights, and time away from her Yorkton farm home doesn’t seem like work in a way.

“It is something that I absolutely love to do. It makes the hard work worth it.”

Honour due

“A kind of exciting thing, we’re going to start off the music with my Aunty Leona and her band, The L Tones.” Kay credits her aunt for where she is today with a career in the music industry.

“She was the one that kept pulling me up on stage at the Elkhorn Fair all those years, making me come out and sing all the events around town. So, I really do believe that without her, I wouldn’t be doing music.

“To have her there as a special guest really means a lot, so she’s going to start the night off.”

Opening act

Emma Peterson, a native of Winnipegosis, opened for Kay when she played in Houston’s County Roadhouse in Brandon. Bringing a pop-country sound, she will be featured after the L Tones.

“Emma – she’s got a wickedly powerful voice. She will probably be playing some of her original music as well,” says Kay.

Kay’s band

Then the Kendra Kay Band hits the stage to play about a 75-minute set, including some of her previous music and all her newly-recorded pieces.

“That’s the first time that it’s been played live – full band. I’m really looking forward to sharing that stuff live for the first time right in my home town of Elkhorn. It’s going to be super exciting and such a fun night.”

Lead guitar, an acoustic/electric guitarist, a fiddle player, bass player, and a drummer back Kay for this live performance.

“The best part of the whole music industry for me is getting to play live music. Seeing people having a good time, its pretty cool when people are connecting with your original music for the first time when you’re playing it live, they’re dancing, enjoying it, it’s a cool feeling.”

Growing into her skin

Her first EP release was four years ago, when Kay was still in high school.

“It was music that I loved, but I guess I didn’t really know who I was as an artist then. Which, you know, at 16 – 17 years old, I didn’t even know who I was as a person, so this past four years has really been the challenge of discovering who I am as a person and an artist.”

The 21-year-old has done some growing up.

She says, “I kind of found myself, and who I want to be, what kind of music, what kind of words I want to say. This body of work is really a look into who I am and what people can expect in the future.”

Kay has worked on recording projects in Nashville, she played Dauphin Countryfest last year and has had a busy spring, most recently playing in Regina, Saskatoon and Lloydminster.

Kay says with so many amazing artists in the music industry, a young artist is inundated with the influence of many greats and many new sounds.

“Trying to fit into radio and you know, appeal to the fans - you really want to do that, but in the meantime you need to stay true to yourself, so it’s tough trying to find the balance. I really do believe I have found that balance and I have music that I am super proud of.”

Kendra Kay has been selected to play the halftime show at the CFL’s 2018 Banjo Bowl (Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders) that attracts 30,000 fans.

She will be flying out to Vancouver for a show at the acclaimed downtown venue 'The Roxy', along with a series of BC radio visits following her EP release in the Elkhorn Elks Hall.

 

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