• Percy Cardona is the oldest of five; has four sisters. His parents and oldest sister are capable singers. Both of Percy's grandfathers were musicians. Many uncles and cousins play music as well. Cardona is of Mexican American & Native American descent with his last name having ties to royalty in Spain when the country was occupied by France.

• The showman attended classes at the Audio Engineering Institute of San Antonio. His in-studio efforts as a producer, engineer, and musician have earned him Latin Grammy nominations in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2022. He is currently a Recording Academy Member.

Musical Influences

Country - George Strait, Alan Jackson, Ronnie Milsap, Ricky Skaggs, Brad Paisley, The Judds, George Jones, Garth Brooks, Joe Nichols, Mark Chesnutt, Brooks & Dunn, Dolly Parton, Leeann Womack, Tracy Lawrence, Randy Travis, Vince Gill, Keith Whitley, Mark Wills, Alabama, Clint Black, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Rogers, Buck Owens, Dwight Yoakam, Texas Tornados, & Hank Williams Jr.

Tejano/Conjunto - La Tropa F (Original Hermanos Farias), La Firma, Emilio Navaira, DLG Y Los Musicales, La Mafia, Jay Perez, Xelencia, Tony de la Rosa, Angel Flores, Stefani Montiel, Grupo Mazz, Tierra Tejana, Elida Y Avante (Frijoles Románticos Band), Los Chamacos, Albert Zamora Y Talento, JJ Y Los Centellas, Mingo Saldivar, Intocable, David Marez, Texas Latino, & Selena.

Rock/Metal - Metallica, Dream Theater, Avenged Sevenfold, Pantera, System of a Down, Mudvayne, Linkin Park, Slipknot, Killswitch Engage, Paramore, Incubus, Three Days Grace, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Puddle Of Mudd, Extreme, Limp Bizkit, Story of the Year, Green Day, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Disturbed, Blink 182, Nirvana, & Van Halen.

Fictional - The Wonders, Del Paxton, Cap’n Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters, Jesse and the Rippers, Figrin D’an and the Modal Nodes, Marvin Berry and the Starlighters, Wyld Stallyns, The Lone Rangers, Howard the Duck, Eddie and the Cruisers, Powerline, Artie Kendall, Steel Dragon, Spinal Tap, Milo Jenkins, & The Soggy Bottom Boys.

Other - Brian Setzer Orchestra, Michael Jackson, Tommy Emmanuel, Marc Broussard, Esperanza Spalding, Allen Stone, Les Paul & Mary Ford, Marc Anthony, Kim Burrell, Gloria Estefan, Bruno Mars, Jason Mraz, No Doubt, Jamiroquai, Vulfpeck, & Dirty Loops.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question - Which instruments can you play and which is your favorite? Percy’s Answer - Accordion, Drums, Bajo Sexto, Bass, and Piano. My favorite changes all the time, but I’d only consider myself a squeezebox player. I only dabble with everything else.

Question - If you didn’t pursue a career in music, what occupation would you like to have become? Percy's Answer - Astronaut, Stand Up Comedian, Writer, Teacher, Dentist, or Actor.

Question - What made you decide to play the accordion? Percy’s Answer - Accordion is very prevalent in the conjunto genre; which my parents listened to all the time. I initially gave up on the instrument thinking it was too hard to play. Some time later, I heard some fantastic accordion playing on the radio. It inspired me to try again. I was able to learn it my second time around.

Question - What’s the secret to becoming successful? Percy’s Answer - I think it’s important to realize that there are many talented people to be found. If you find yourself among them, being an easy person to work with becomes a more precious commodity. Being prepared and showing up early goes a long way. Even if you fall short of your goals, if you put in the work and have a good attitude, your life will be more rewarding; which is the real success.