We recently connected with Tony Mantor and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tony thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I have established myself as a singer-songwriter, pianist, podcast host and record-charting music producer. I am celebrating working in Nashville for more than 30 years. I have progressed into an award winning music producer, recording and placing 33 songs into the Top 40, and 16 songs into the Top 10 of various U.S. based major music charts including Billboard, Indicator, Mediabase, Cashbox & Music Row Magazine.
I have worked with the likes of Debby Campbell (daughter of Glen Campbell), Bobby Wilson (son of Jackie Wilson), Happy Days star & singer Donny Most, country artist Sam Austin, and country artist Mila Mason.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am an established American singer-songwriter, pianist, podcast host and record-charting music producer who is celebrating working in Nashville for more than 30 years. A classically trained pianist at heart since i was eight years old, my musical journey began in the late 70’s just outside of Madison, Maine where i was born and raised on a dairy farm. Musically inspired by iconic artists like Elvis Presley, Cher and Karen Carpenter, my piano skills evolved into writing and performing my own songs. Both as a solo artist and in rock bands throughout my teens and early twenties in my home state of Maine and New England, I found a peaceful refuge in music which became my life’s calling.

My ambitious nature eventually landed me my first real opportunity in 1976, which brought me to Nashville for the first time – performing as a touring sideman for country music sensation Ronnie McDowell. Through that experience, I found inspiration to take my own songwriting and production abilities more seriously, and again my ambitious nature began to open more doors and more opportunities. I began making regular trips from Maine to Nashville to record my own music. I embedded himself among the established songwriters and music community in the process.

After touring with Ronnie, and conversations with his manager, I realized I had an ability to pursue my goals within Nashville’s established music business, so I did just that and have not looked back since then.

As a singer i have charted seven songs on Cash Box Magazine’s singles chart, including 1990’s “I’ve Got It All Together Somewhere” and 1991’s “Don’t Tell My Heart,” both of which i recorded in Nashville.

Inspired by the success as a singer i decided it was time to go all in on my music career. In 1993 i moved from my home state of Maine to Nashville, and not long thereafter i launched Plateau Music, where i inevitably uncovered a new love in music; audio production.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I have had songs receive great airplay and interviews on radio in the U.K. including multiple regional BBC Radio stations, Radio Scotland, Bondi Tunes Australia, Talk Radio Europe, XPTV1, Showboat TV and others.

My company, Plateau Music, won Label of the Year in 2019 as awarded by U.K.’s Lux Magazine for my work with Bobby Wilson, the son of legendary soul singer Jackie Wilson.

Jan 2023 i was awarded Manager of the year by CEO magazine for my work with Debby Campbell.

My name has also been included within official GRAMMY® ballots for Producer of the Year on more than one occasion.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My 2021 single release of a song called “Why Not Me” is one of my goals to use music as an inspiration to help others. I have launched a new podcast called “Why Not Me the World” in June 2023, which focuses on topics supporting Autism awareness, acceptance and understanding. The podcast features guest interviews between myself and celebrities who Autism has touched, other subject matter experts in the field of study, and parents who have or are currently raising autistic children.
In the more than 3 million of podcasts available on the global market, my new Autism focused podcast series called Why Not Me the World is currently ranked in the Top 1% of podcasts worldwide, according to Listen Notes. Reaching listeners in 24 countries and over 200 cities around the world, it is receiving a positive reaction from the listeners and is ranking in podcast charts worldwide.
Why Not Me the World podcast can be found on all major podcast platforms around the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tonymantor.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/tonymantor
• Facebook: facbook.com/tonymantor
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-mantor-647036154/
• Twitter: twitter.com/tonymantor
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/tonymantormusic

Image Credits
Nathan Mantor Photography