TONY MANTOR
Singer-Songwriter, Producer, Pianist and Podcast Host
BIOGRAPHY
Tony Mantor is an accomplished American singer-songwriter, pianist, podcast host and nationally charting music producer who has worked in Nashville for more than 30 years.
A classically trained pianist since the age of eight, Tony began his musical journey in the late 1970s near Madison, Maine, where he was born and raised on a dairy farm. Inspired by iconic artists such as Elvis Presley, Cher and Karen Carpenter, he developed an early passion for writing, recording and performing his own songs.
As a solo artist and a member of several rock bands, Tony performed throughout Maine and New England during his teenage years and early twenties. Music became more than a creative outlet—it became his life’s calling.
Tony’s ambition led to his first major professional opportunity in 1976, when he traveled to Nashville and performed as a touring sideman for country music artist Ronnie McDowell. That experience inspired Tony to take his songwriting and production abilities more seriously and encouraged him to pursue further opportunities within Nashville’s established music community.
He began making regular trips from Maine to Nashville to record his music, build relationships and immerse himself in the city’s community of accomplished musicians, songwriters and producers.
“After touring with Ronnie and having conversations with his manager, I realized I had the ability to pursue my goals within Nashville’s established music business. That is exactly what I did, and I haven’t looked back since,” Tony recalled.
As a recording artist, Tony placed seven songs on Cash Box Magazine’s national singles chart. These included his 1990 release, “I’ve Got It All Together Somewhere,” and his 1991 single, “Don’t Tell My Heart,” both of which were recorded in Nashville.
Encouraged by his success as a singer and songwriter, Tony decided to devote himself fully to his music career. In 1993, he moved from Maine to Nashville and soon launched his company, Plateau Music. Through the company, he discovered a new passion for artist development, audio production and helping singers build sustainable careers.
“After several conversations with Bob Millsap and Gary Paxton, I felt I had the ability and knowledge to produce singers with the goal of recording their music, releasing it to radio and helping them tour,” Tony said.
Tony went on to produce and record music for an extensive list of artists, including Debby Campbell, daughter of Glen Campbell; Bobby Brooks Wilson, son of legendary soul singer Jackie Wilson; “Happy Days” actor and singer Donny Most; country artists Sam Austin and Mila Mason; and many others.
Through his work with these artists, Tony has placed 33 songs in the Top 40 and 17 songs in the Top 10 on prominent music charts, including Billboard, Indicator, Mediabase, Cashbox, Heritage Chart U.K. and MusicRow Magazine.
His productions have also received significant international radio airplay and media coverage, including exposure through regional BBC radio stations, Radio Scotland, Bondi Tunes, Talk Radio Europe, XPTV1 and Showboat TV.
Plateau Music received Label of the Year honors from the United Kingdom’s LUX Magazine in 2019 for Tony’s work with Bobby Brooks Wilson. In January 2023, Tony was named Manager of the Year by CEO Monthly magazine for his work with Debby Campbell.
Tony’s name has appeared on the official GRAMMY® ballot for Producer of the Year five times. Although proud of the recognition his work has received, Tony remains focused on continuing to create meaningful productions and pursuing new opportunities.
“I still look forward to each year and the productions that add to my body of work,” Tony said. “Being considered by my peers for a GRAMMY is something I will always cherish. In this business, you have to believe in yourself to survive.”
Over the years, Plateau Music evolved from a production and artist-development company into an independent record label. Since 2005, Tony has worked with both emerging and established recording artists across numerous musical formats, including country, adult contemporary and R&B.
Tony was also featured in the 2006 documentary film “The Session Players,” which explored Nashville’s recording process and the important creative relationship between recording artists, songwriters, musicians and producers.
In 2017, Tony began developing a special musical tribute to “Rhinestone Cowboy” Glen Campbell. The project featured Glen’s daughter, Debby Campbell, who toured with her father for more than 24 years. Several songs from the project were released in the United Kingdom, where they received a strong response and significant radio airplay.
When time allows, Tony continues to write and record his own music. He says his primary purpose is to use his music and media platforms to help make the world a better place.
Tony’s 2021 single, “Why Not Me,” became the inspiration for a new chapter in his career. Building upon the song’s message and meaning, he launched his first podcast in 2023 under the original title “Why Not Me? The World.”
As the podcast grew, Tony expanded its mission beyond autism awareness, acceptance and understanding to include serious mental illness and other important subjects under the broader mental-health umbrella. To reflect that evolution, the program was renamed “Why Not Me? Embracing Autism and Mental Health.”
Through honest and thoughtful conversations, Tony provides a platform for autistic individuals, people living with mental-health challenges, families, advocates, medical professionals, researchers, educators and public figures to share their experiences and expertise.
Each episode is designed to encourage greater understanding, challenge misconceptions and give a voice to individuals and families whose stories too often go unheard.
Tony also hosts “Almost Live Nashville,” a music and interview podcast featuring conversations with recording artists, songwriters, musicians, producers and other influential members of the entertainment industry.
Both “Why Not Me? Embracing Autism and Mental Health” and “Almost Live Nashville” have reached number one in their respective categories and have consistently ranked among the Top 100 podcasts overall on Apple Podcasts.
Later in 2026, Tony will expand his podcast platform again with the launch of “Coast to Coast Heroes.” The new series will share powerful American stories of service, sacrifice, resilience and leadership.
The podcast will recognize veterans, first responders whose courage, dedication and selfless actions have made a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
“My hope is that by giving people a place to share their stories, we can create greater understanding, inspire others to help and make the world a better place.”
INTERESTING FACTS
• Tony has appeared on the official GRAMMY® ballot for Producer of the Year five times.
• Tony has received four awards in the United Kingdom for Artist Management and Record Label of the Year.
• Tony has produced more than 40 nationally charted songs.
• Tony has placed 33 songs in the Top 40.
• Tony has placed 17 songs in the Top 10.
• Tony has produced 13 artists whose work appeared on the official GRAMMY® ballot for consideration.
• Tony has had seven nationally charted songs as a recording artist.
• Tony created and hosts two number-one podcasts that have consistently ranked among the Top 100 podcasts overall on Apple Podcasts.
• Tony will launch his third podcast, “Coast to Coast Heroes,” later in 2026.