Tony Mantor's : Almost Live..... Nashville - Kendra Erika: tone deaf to crafting top 10 hit records with courage and passion

Episode Date: February 10, 2026

In this episode of 'Almost Live Nashville,' host Tony Mantor interviews singer-songwriter Kendra Erica. The conversation delves into Kendra's journey from being born tone deaf to achieving five Billboard Top 10 Dance Hits. Kendra shares her experiences of overcoming significant challenges through private coaching, perseverance, and mental discipline. They discuss the impacts of comparison, emotional struggles, and the importance of hard work over natural talent. Kendra also talks about her upcoming projects, including her 'License to Thrill' album and live showcase, as well as her passion for charitable endeavors focused on helping children and preventing human trafficking. episode emphasizes the importance of staying the course, taking risks, and forging ahead despite obstacles. Meet Kendra Erica: Overcoming Tone Deafness Kendra's Journey and Challenges Emotional and Mental Struggles Achievements and Recognition Future Plans and Projects Charity Work and Giving Back Final Thoughts and Reflections INTRO/OUTRO Music: T. Wild Mantor Music BMI Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

My career in the entertainment industry has enabled me to work with a diverse range of talent. Through my years of experience, I've recognized two essential aspects. Industry professionals, whether famous stars or behind-the-scenes staff, have fascinating stories to tell. Secondly, audiences are eager to listen to these stories, which offer a glimpse into their lives and the evolution of their life stories. This podcast aims to share these narratives, providing information. on how they evolved into their chosen career. We will delve into their journey to stardom, discuss their struggles and successes, and hear from people who help them achieve their goals.

Get ready for intriguing behind-the-scenes stories and insights into the fascinating world of entertainment. Hi, I'm Tony Mantor. Welcome to Almost Live Nashville. Joining us today is Kendra Erica. She's a singer-songwriter who turns challenges into triumphs and music into magic. Kendra loved to sing as a young child, but she was born tone-deaf. By age eight, she defied the odds, trains in classical music, and began a journey that would lead to five Billboard top ten dance hits, including a number one remake of Laura Branigan's self-control. Her fearless creativity spans pop, dance, jazz fusion,

and cinematic storytelling, culminating in her bold new single, Goal and I and her upcoming album, Licensed to Thrill. We will dive into her remarkable journey and the courage that turns life's obstacles into unforgettable music. We will talk about that and more. So before we dive into our episode, we'll be back with an uninterrupted show right after a word from our sponsors. Thanks for joining us today.

Hello. Hi. How are you doing today? Good. How are you? Oh, I'm doing great thanks. My hair matches your background, which is good. We're already off to a great start.

Yeah, I love it. Great start for sure. It's a pleasure to have you here. I've done a little research on you. You're very open about being born tone deaf. When did you first realize this? And then, how did it shape your thoughts on how you could move forward with what you wanted to do? Well, I was really young, and my parents didn't tell me that I was tone deaf. just took me into the local theater because I wanted to get more involved in community theater, but in order to do so, I had to get, you know, straightened out skill-wise. So they introduced me to the musical director there and I started private coaching with him and he was a professional opera singer in Berlin and he was very regimented, very strict, but he laid such a great

foundation for me to build upon. And from then, I was able to get more involved in those community theater productions and then keep on building from there and doing more, you know, talent competitions, which I won one of them and one of few others. The first one I ever did, I won singing time to say goodbye by Andre Bechelli. So coming from having no skill set to performing one of the most highly advanced songs out there, it just signified that this path is meant to forge onward with. Yeah, absolutely. Now, I had the opportunity to record. a singer one time that was tone death. I know what I had to do to get the singer to sing on key and in pitch. Right. How did you overcome that and what was your journey to get to where you are?

Well, fortunately, I was enrolled in private coaching at eight years old. So my mind was like a sponge. So I was able to absorb all of that training and information so amenably. And from that, because it was like I was so like vulnerable and and impressionable with that training. It just planted a lot of, it just naturally planted a lot of those seeds. And so it's basically like you're better off learning a language when you're super young than when you're, you know, in your middle years or whatever. Yeah. Yeah, that makes total sense.

Now, so many people when they get hit with the information that you did, it discourages them. They're told they don't have that natural abuse. They have all kinds of opinions that's against them. Right. What did you do and what kept you going so that you could still go after what you wanted to do with music? Well, luckily, I knew that this is what I wanted to do. So my spirit and my perseverance is what got me through. Although it was challenging and, you know, I did encounter some hard times, mostly mentally and emotionally, I still kept on.

and I still hiked up the mountain. I didn't let it deter me at all. I think just the, I think in a spiritual sense, when you have all these forces working against you, you're on the right path. Yeah, yeah, I like that thought process. What were some of the challenges?

I mean, look, you overcame them all. Mm-hmm. What were some of the challenges that you found the most challenging? The most challenging was the comparison of me comparing myself, to a lot of people that were, you know, naturally gifted. And even till this day, I still have to catch myself

because when you've been doing that for so long, it becomes a habitual, mental thing that you do. So I have to catch myself from time to time, even now comparing myself to people. Does that comparison usually motivate you to level up? Or does it ever pull you out of your own lane? and what brings you to think that way? I think it's only because, well, one of the challenges that I went through,

and also because I have parents that are very, I wouldn't say competitive, but they always instill for me to do my best. And so, you know, they're not musicians, they're business people. I mean, my dad's an attorney, and my mom's a very strong businesswoman in the commercial real estate world. So both are competitive fields. And with that, there always seem to be like, oh, you know, you should, you know, look at what this person's doing and maybe do it this way. And I found that to be kind of the thief of joy in my development because I never felt like I was good enough.

I never felt like I had what this person had or what that person had. But over time and, of course, with maturity and how things play out, and I was having a conversation with someone about this. the other day. It goes back to a quote that I saw recently and it said, if you feel behind, don't feel behind. It's only because it wasn't handed to you. Yeah, I like that. Great quote. And I realize that because some of the people that I grew up with, even here locally in Boka, some of them have, were brought into either family money or they were brought into family money, plus they had natural gifts. And now I feel that because I worked so hard for what I had to achieve in what I had to attain, then it created more of a character for me, and it created more of that

tenacity or more of that skin and more of those lessons. And I feel like, because I didn't have this developed, that I really had to develop this and this and all that. And I feel that on the contrary, if I were to have been given this, then I don't know, I would be in the position of some of those people I grew up with who now have either, you know, health issues, both physically, emotionally and mentally, or they're just not making the right decisions, both brand or business decisions. So I really just, I attribute and contribute all of that to not having it handed to me. Sure, sure. Now, a lot of people think of relationships between people. Yeah. Some relationships are with the music. Do you feel by going through,

this the way that you had to go through it. It gave you a different relationship with the music that you create than some of the other people you might know. I'd like to say I think so. I believe so. I think that for most people, they didn't really have to really think about it. But for me, I, because I wasn't naturally brought into it, I feel like my brain just had to, I think, because I overthought everything and I just think in different dimensions and I just see things, differently than others, but I think it only amplified my stimuli, I'd say. And to answer your question, I believe so. I believe it has created a different relationship for me and the music. Yeah, that's great. Now that you have your relationship that you have with your music. Yeah. How did you find that affecting

you emotionally? And what kind of discipline did you come out of it with? It affected me emotionally in the sense that I feel it was more sensitive to it. Okay. And to overcome that, I don't know. It's like I always maybe have created my own mental challenges, like the comparisons or just not feeling good enough or, you know, creating things that aren't really there. Only because I've lived in this sort of, in this world of question. Like, is this really my calling? Is this not my calling?

But I think throughout all of that, throughout all of this, my heart still wanted me to keep going and persevere. So although all of this was happening, it's as if the driver never stopped driving the bus. Yeah, that's great. Did it change the discipline in the way that you approached it? It changed being that I had to work for it. It naturally instilled more of a disciplinary way of. going about it because I, you know, I wouldn't just wake up and, you know, sing seamlessly. So, but now I can because I've put in the time. But I think just the course of time and

maturity and just overall development has put me in a position now to where I feel, I feel like I can conquer it and even more. Yeah. Now, you compared yourself to other singers, which so many people do at times. Right. I'm interested when you're working on a song and you're working on your style, you're working on a song to get it finished. You know that there's something that just needs to be tweaked

just a little bit. Right. To give it that little tangible difference. Yet you're still comparing yourself. How do you get past that comparison so you become the original singer that you are? I think once I started, writing and recording my own music, that is kind of the catalyst that unplugged me from all of that.

So when I started creating more of my own compositions and writing songs and writing pieces that were my own, I was establishing a signature and an individual stamp and individual mark. So by doing so, I wasn't comparing myself that much anymore. But in the studios that I was working with, these producers that I started off working with, they were instantly really complimentary of my own sound. And I still get those compliments today and those words of positivity and encouragement today on my original sounds. And like I said, I still checked myself here and there, not as much anymore, but that only came with building confidence and seeing the payoffs happen,

like winning a talent competition or Harding hits on the Billboard dance chart. And one of them going to number one, Even though I didn't write that, but I added my own signature on it, and that was self-control. And also just being able to do these collaborations with these very talented people and working with very talented people. I mean, I wouldn't be working with these seasoned people if I didn't have anything to bring to the table. And also winning awards, like the Hollywood Independent Music Award for both witchcrafts and then two years later winning it for my own song, body language. So and just seeing those incremental payoffs was the testament to me overcoming that, overcoming that comparison.

Yeah, yeah, that's good. I've seen people that have what people think is overnight success, which there really is none. Did you see your life change at all? Did you see yourself getting pulled and tugged in different directions? Because when you have top 10 records like you have, you start getting awards like you have, that can change the whole dynamic that surrounds you. For me, I never really saw it really do a whole change. It wasn't like, you know, hot tub time machine where I go into this hot tub and I'm transported

into like this new world. Yeah, for me, it was more like the, like I said, these incremental changes that happened. But it really didn't change who I was or my world. I see each year, each month and each year, I just. see more of an elevation with what I'm doing. Like, if it's more elevated, it's like here, one year, then it's here, then it's here. So it's going step by step, though I'm not just jumping from releasing a video in my garage. And then overnight, then being, you know, blasted all over and then being told to go to, you know, some big broadcast television event in China.

You know what I mean? So everything was done in stages for me. And because it was done in stages, I was able to welcome each guest in each opportunity into my house. So they didn't all just flood in all at once. Yeah, that's great. What's on the horizon for this year? Well, in February, February 13th is the License to Thrill album, which is the James Bond tribute album.

And it's produced by Myron McKinley, who, produced my cover of witchcraft by Frank Sinatra and Ralph Johnson, and he co-produced that. And that's the one that won the Hollywood Independent Music Award. But Myron and I created this album, and I knew that he was going to be the guy for it because he did such a wonderful job with witchcraft and stripping it down. And he just has this way of creating a different signature on songs and giving them their own style. So I knew that he would be the one for this, but that's releasing in February 13th.

And it's a cinematic and also musical journey throughout the decades of bond. So you have your, your Sean's, you know, your Roger decades, you have your Pierce Brosons, and you have your Daniel Craig's. And it just takes you through a journey, which I really love. And then in tandem with that, on February 15th in Vegas at the space, is the debut showcase for this album. So I'll be performing all the songs on the album and a full-length show. And that show has the legs to become a major show in Vegas. And not just in Vegas, but nationally and internationally as well.

Oh, that's nice. We all hope to have something that is that special and creates a signature for you. Yes. Yes, definitely. Okay, so that takes you into February. And then, of course, you'll be expanding from that. Can we expect to see you on tour at some point? Not as of yet.

just stay tuned and I'll have more shows coming up in the new year and also beyond. And I also have other music releasing that is really on that bond brand but still stays true to that upbeat nature that I've been and journey that I've been on for the past 10 years. Now that you've done these things, you know where you're going. Right. If you could tell your younger self something to help you out, what would you tell her? I think it's like that one part in the Walking Dead where Sheriff Rick yells to Carl, his son,

he says, Carl, stay in the house. I think, like jokingly, I think, yeah, that's what I would tell myself, stay in the house. No, I would just say, I would just tell myself that just stay, stay the chorus, don't be afraid to take risks and hard work hard. With everything that you've been through, your music is very positive.

you're trying to help charities wherever you can. What are your hopes that people get from what you're doing with your music? I hope people can see that I'm not afraid to change lanes in order for my drive to go smoother down the road. I think it's great that you're trying to use your music in a very positive way. What charity is the one that's most important to you? Well, currently I'm a part of the LA5, which is the long. Los Angeles Rotary Club. I'm a member of that. And over the holidays just recently, I was a part of a project at a place called Home. And that's a place for children of, you know, impoverished families or undocumented families. It's a center for them to build their skill set, whether that be in business or even music or dance or art or even culinary aspirations or even athletics. It's very

cool is now they have, they're developing a vocational and entrepreneurial school for people that want to take a less institutionalized path to success. So that is something that I'll be very much involved with. I feel very passionate about helping children out. Also, the prevention of human trafficking. That's something I'm also very passionate about and just education for the youth in all forms, whether it's, like I said, whether it's the institutionalized path or whether it's a trade kind of, a trade school kind of a path. And really just focusing on the kids because just like me, I was very impressionable to the training that I was receiving. So I want to give back to children and also to help families who don't have so much of a direction or the means to show their

kids, their opportunities and show them a higher ceiling. That's really important. in for me. I think it's really awesome that you're putting yourself out there to try to help people that really need that help. When you have fans come up to you or you see people that are being emotionally pushed back, what do you hope that they can take away from things that you've gone through and how do you use that to show them that they can do what you've done? I think it's just that visual that I painted earlier, which is although there's a lot of noise in the bus, you still be the driver in that bus because as soon as that bus gets to where it's going, then you'll have less noise in your mind.

But if you stop, if you stop the bus and keep the noise going, it's not going to overtake you. So you just keep on having to drive and keep on having to persevere and not let things deter you. I mean, I can't tell you how many times right before a performance or an opportunity or even an interview where I've had to really. compartmentalize things, especially if I'm going through something personally or emotionally or mentally. There's so much that I have to compartmentalize for myself in order to keep the bus moving and keep the wheels turning. Yeah, I like that. When I'm producing or developing a singer, I like to map out a plan and usually it's like a five-year plan. Sure. What is your five-year plan? What do you see in your future. I see more coming down the pike or pipe. Yeah. I want to say down the pike because the pipe can mean

something else, if you know what I mean. But I more coming with the James Bond experience, putting out more original music, more shows. Like I said, just keep on doing a more elevated version of what I'm doing now and keep climbing those stairs because I can say, oh, I want to be here like this month and this day. But if that doesn't happen, that only means that that's not a failure or that's, I didn't miss that at all. That's only because God's divine plan has something better for me. Yeah, I totally believe that. If something doesn't happen, it's not the end of the world. Something better can definitely come along.

Mm-hmm. I've had situations where I've lost a project. I wondered what happened. Six months later, I found out, and it was a good thing. I think we've all had situations like that for sure. Yes. Unfortunately, it's, I'm not immune to what happened to us during the pandemic. I will say that I was just about to go on like the self-control tour nationwide, and I was in rehearsals with the choreographers and with dancers. And that happened right before the pandemic and then that happened. And then the two gentlemen I was working with who were going to be the tour managers and

the bookers, they ended up passing away. Oh, wow. So it's almost like it's completely my condolences and very heartfelt condolences to them not being with us anymore. I think that's only because during this time, I really needed to take that time for myself to try certain things out. try new things out, which then led me to wanting to go back to my roots, like at the end of COVID, and just decided to do more of jazz and do more classics, and just to reintroduce myself

and to rebrand myself. And I think by doing so, that put me in a more secure vehicle. Yeah, totally makes sense. You know, many people will think of rebranding as starting over, but it's really not. Sometimes it's a very, subtle change, but it's still a rebrand. And that makes that subtle change very impactful. Right. When that happens, it can really grow from there. Yes. One example that I constantly use is Nicole Scherzinger from the Pussy Gatsy. I mean, she went from going like, to now be like, I'm on stage, singing a Broadway song, I'm winning a Tony, you know, and she has more of this sophisticated image now.

And I think her image now is a lot more impactful than when she was doing the little twerky booty booty stuff with the pussycat dolls. Yeah, absolutely. Now, how do people find you? How do they follow you? You can find me on Instagram at Kendra Erica. Also on Facebook at Kendra Erica Music.

You can find me on YouTube, on Spotify. You also find me on TikTok. and if you just Google me, you'll find what you're looking for. Yeah, that's great. Now, what would you like to leave the listeners with that you think is very important that they know about what you're doing for the future? They need to understand

that what I'm doing now is not because I'm looking for a departure from anything. This is only to deepen the scope of who I am in my dimensions. When you look at yourself from where you started, then you look at yourself to where you are today. Number one, are you happy with your evolution? And secondly, what can you see for a change on how you've evolved? I'm very happy in the evolution and the place where I am and where I'm going. So how I can change from that, I don't know.

That's not something that I've thought about. But I think that's only going to come with time. and with going forward into this new path. So it's almost like you're hiking, you either want to go see the waterfall or you want to go see the canyon. So in either path is, certainly won't be a negative one,

but it's like you could either go see the waterfall or go see the canyon. Yeah, that's a great analogy. I always tell singers that I work with, do your best because you never know who's watching you. Oh, I know. Then you never know who's around that. next corner who can help you. And that could mean just a very slight little tweak or change that

could change everything. Yes. Do you see any tweaks that could happen or do you see a pretty steady path for you for your future? Right now so far, I can only see it in a certain direction. But yet still I have other music coming out that's more representation of the upbeat side of me, you know, the the Billboard Dance Girl, but those upbeat songs are more like housey. They're, they're more sheep. They're more like European and they're more global and they converge with that bond brand. So I think the changes, it's just going to be a, I don't want to say like a change, but it's going to adapt and it's going to evolve. And there will be some, you know, mutations here and there. But I think not so much mutations, but more of an evolution.

Yeah, evolution is great. Now, this just popped in my mind. Over the years, I've seen myself evolve. As a singer, I've tried different styles of music just because I wanted to. Have you ever thought about doing something completely different? Not because you have to, only because you want to. Do you have any desire to do something completely different that everybody would just sit back and go, wow, I didn't expect that?

And then you sit back and listen to it and go, wow, I'm glad I did this. I would like to try country. Yeah, not because someone's like, er, do it, you know. That'd be pretty funny, though. If you do that and come to Nashville, you see me. Exactly. Exactly. That's why I said it. And it's not like, it's not a move. It's just a, it's not a stunt. It's not an angle. It's a genuine feeling that I have. Well, that's good. I love it. Well, this has been great. Great information, great conversation. I really appreciate you taking the time to join us today.

Definitely. Yeah, it's been a great. Like I said, it's a wonderful conversation. And thank you so much for having me. Oh, it's been my pleasure. Thanks for joining us today. We hope you enjoyed the show. This has been a Tony Mantor production. For more information, contact media at plateaumusic.com.