Canada’s Country Girl Kendra Kay has had a busy summer performing with her five-piece band across Canada. Including stops playing Dauphin’s CountryFest Mainstage, Sunfest Music Festival in BC, Canadian Country Music Week and over a dozen major stampedes & rodeos throughout Canada. She just brought her energetic show to the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Red Deer to open for Corb Lund.
Kendra Kay is set to release her first single since announcing her signing with Sakamoto Agency, a worldwide booking agency representing artists such as The Washboard Union and Aaron Goodvin. Kay has had a stellar year, earning industry & fan praise alike, opening for artists such as James Barker Band, Gord Bamford, Jess Moskaluke and performing with artists such as Tim Hicks and Patricia Conroy.
Her current single How It’s Done is an uptempo, feel-good song that was produced by Karen Kosowski, who has had a string of radio hits working with artists such as Tim Hicks, Brett Kissel and Madeline Merlo. We had the chance to chat with Kendra and talk life lessons, her new single and what’s next.
Kat: Can you talk about the inspiration behind your latest single ‘How It’s Done’? and why you chose this track as the single?
Kendra: I knew this song was something I had to take into the studio. I instantly fell in love with the positive message and high energy this song has! I knew it was a song that needed to be in the world because of no matter who you are, I think everyone can get caught up in the hustle of our everyday lives and we all need reminded to always live your best life and live like there’s no tomorrow!
Kat: This summer you performed with a five-piece band across Canada. Including stops playing Dauphin’s CountryFest Mainstage, Sunfest Music Festival in BC, Canadian Country Music Week and over a dozen major stampedes & rodeos throughout Canada. What did you learn from that experience? We’re there any highlights?
Kendra: I always try to take as much away from every show as I possibly can. No matter how many times we hit the stage, every show is different and is a new experience. I’ve been very fortunate to be super busy on the road playing shows and every stop along the way has moulded me into the performer I am today. There was many highlights from this year of shows. First being my main stage debut at Dauphins Countryfest – being a Manitoba artist, playing Countryfest was always a dream and to be apart of the main stage lineup was a bucket list moment for me! Another highlight this year would be one of my most recent shows, at the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Red Deer, AB opening for Corb Lund. I grew up in a rodeo family, every summer (when I’m not busy singing) I’m on the road with my horse barrel racing or with my family Chuckwagon racing. So the CFR is an event I have always wanted to be apart of. It was a sold out night full of rodeo people and country music fans and it was an amazing night!
Kat: You recently signed with Sakamoto Agency, a worldwide booking agency representing artists such as The Washboard Union and Aaron Goodvin. How were you introduced to Sakamoto Agency, and what does this step mean for your career?
Kendra: I met Carla Hackman, who is an agent at Sakamoto Agency at the 2018 Manitoba Country Music Awards – she was there as a guest speaker for the music meeting the association puts on. She was able to come out to the awards the following night where I performed with the show host, Patricia Conroy. We were in contact with Carla after the awards and our relationship grew into me joining the Sakamoto family. This step for my career is a big one. Having a team like the Sakamoto Agency standing behind my career will help open many doors into bigger shows and markets that I would have difficulty getting into on my own. The team is very well respected in the music industry and I couldn’t be prouder to be apart of this music family!
Kat: What’s next?
Kendra: I am in the middle of promoting my new single How It’s Done on a radio tour so will be on the road lots! We are in plans for lots of big and exciting shows for the new year and next summer and as always, working on new music!
For more on Kendra Kay, please visit: http://www.kendrakaymusic.com