Erin Kinsey Talks C2C, Touring with Dylan Scott & Breast Cancer Fundraising [Interview 2023]
Erin Kinsey joins us to talk about performing at C2C in London, touring with Dylan Scott and her involvement with fundraising for Breast Cancer with her song called “Pink.”
Sue Bonzell
She’s got over 66 million streams and she’s got new music. She’s toured with Dylan Scott. She’s been to see to see in London. I’m excited about the new music and Erin Kinsey is here, Erin, how are ya?
Erin Kinsey
Hi, I’m so good. I’m so pumped to be here.
Sue Bonzell
I know, I have been trying to get you here for a long time. I’ve been following you for about a year and a half at Little My gosh. And so I’m a big fan. I’m a big fan. So of course, we got to talk about the music first. Oh, yes. So you’ve got new EP coming out? You got a brand new song out? Yeah, you’ve written all of these, right?
Erin Kinsey
Yeah, I’m a writer on everything and project. Okay, so
Sue Bonzell
tell us about the the all the songs on the project? And is there a little bit of everything?
Erin Kinsey
Definitely. So there’s actually seven songs on the EP, and it was originally going to be five, and then it was six. And now it’s a so um, we just got to find things that I couldn’t imagine not being on there. Even some songs I had already released, like I released Vegas back in last fall. But it felt like it fit on it. And so I called up the team and begged and begged and pleaded and they said of course. Yeah, I’m really, really excited for it to be out. There’s songs that lean like super country, there’s one that’s almost like Western. And there’s also like, especially within the songwriting, I wrote so many of these songs. So in the moment of feeling everything I was saying, which makes you know, concerts interesting now, but, um, it was it feels so vulnerable, even like the fun upbeat songs. I feel like I was feeling it’s so much in that moment. So it feels so honest, feel surreal. And, you know, the first project for the East felt like introducing myself to the world. And this feels like going a little deeper.
Sue Bonzell
So yeah, absolutely. So, I mean, you do some pretty upbeat songs and everything, but some, we kind of got one. I’m sad. Sometimes I was gonna say. So I need to know the story behind there was no, was there a breakup?
Erin Kinsey
Oh, yes, of course, naturally, you don’t get to death like that, unfortunately, without really feeling it. Yeah, so always never came from a really vulnerable place. But it was one that even though it’s sad, and it sounds really sad, I mean, it’s slow and emotional. The general idea of the song is about finding peace. And if something was supposed to happen, it would have happened and you can’t force something and you don’t really want to anyways, even though it was when I was in the moment you wish that you could, you know, you know, force everything to happen exactly how you want it. You really want what was supposed to happen, always. So it’s about that, but it’s definitely something I’m proud of just, you know, put them on our on line. And I don’t know if I really thought about having to release it when we wrote it. But I’m glad that I did. Well, I
Sue Bonzell
think a lot of people can relate to that. We’ve all been through. I mean, that makes the best country music isn’t really. Let’s be honest.
Erin Kinsey
Oh, once I’ve gotten me through such hard times. I mean, what’s crazy is the idea even though for me it was from a breakup. There’s plenty of things. I mean, whether it’s like a job not working out or a friendship not working out. There’s so many things where, you know, you can find so much peace and just relying on if it was supposed to happen, it would have happened and it’s okay that
Sue Bonzell
it’s okay. Yep, exactly. Now you’re going down a different road. Exactly. And speaking of going down a different road, you got to go to London. i Yeah, okay, CTC. I mean, that’s a huge if you guys don’t know, this is a huge music festival Country Music Festival in London. Tell me about your experience.
Erin Kinsey
So I actually was lucky enough to get to go to CTC in 2016. It was my first time overseas, my family went with me, we made it like a family vacation. But we performed on one of the Townsquare stages outside of the actual like arena. And it was absolutely incredible, super memorable and so much fun. But it’s the difference in playing one of the one of the three stages outside of CMA Fest and being at Nissan stadium. Oh, so this last time we went, I got to play on the next national stage, which is in the middle of the arena. And it was my first arena show ever like I had never played in front of that many people. And then also there is something about being in the middle of the arena, you turn every direction, there’s no way to escape the amount of people. But it was so unbelievable. And just to go and be immersed in that culture and immersed in that world for a couple of days was so incredible. So you’ve
Sue Bonzell
got some some pretty memorable experiences. Oh, yeah. rattled. Aubrey last year.
Erin Kinsey
Oh my gosh, I know. I just came up on my one year anniversary. So yeah, it’s, I mean, that’s such a bucket list thing for any country music artists. I mean, probably any artists period, just the amount of history and the amount of things that have happened there that are just you know, such staples in our world. But it was surreal.
Sue Bonzell
What was the best part about being at the Opry?
Erin Kinsey
I mean, I think one of the best parts was getting invited back because I was like, Hey, cool. Yeah, that was a big thing. Um, but something really really special that they do is they place your family and friends like all in the front where you can see them. So be stepping into that circle and looking out and seeing my parents who have sacrificed so much and you know, like let me not go to college. Do not
Sue Bonzell
let you not go.
Erin Kinsey
Well, you know, it wasn’t like the only thing we ever talked about. They really encouraged me. They honestly never let me know how crazy it was try to go for music. You could you know, go to college or you could do music. Sure. And now the more time that goes by, I think they’re absolutely insane. But I’m really glad that they let me do it. Um, and yeah, so just to like, look out and see them and see my sister and see so many people from my team that like made it happen. It was such a full circle moment. And I was just coming off a radio tour. So things were so crazy. I was saying 5am flights and it was such a moment to just slow down and really appreciate something so monumental happening something I’ll remember forever.
Sue Bonzell
Yeah, that just stepping into that circle. Gosh, it was unreal. I don’t know what it’s like I this bucket list for me. I don’t sing but I just want to stand in the circle. Oh, you backstage? Good. I mean, I’m nobody, so that’d be perfect. Well, okay, so you don’t know LIS last fall. You were on tour with Dylan Scott. Yes. How was that? I love Dylan Scott. Did you get to spend some time with him?
Erin Kinsey
I did. I also have spent some time with just like his team in general. And they’re all such kind humans. I just saw them at Tortuga as well. And I saw them. It was like long lost family. We were just having a blast backstage. And they’re also kind it was my first tour. So we didn’t, you know, we weren’t out for like months and months. But there’s a few weeks out with him. And they were just so kind and so sweet. And Dylan would like make sure that we had snacks and water in her okay. And it was it was just so much fun. And also I’m such a fan of his music. I’m such a fan of his fans like they are so awesome. It seems like my friends. If they went to a concert, it would be his fan. So it was so much fun getting on there. And just like hanging out with him having a party for 30 minutes before he got on stage.
Sue Bonzell
That was so cool. Oh, yeah, I was the best. Well, you talked about you know, your folks, you started writing music playing music when you were 11. And you play like how many instruments tell us all is she’s just mildly talented. So how like, how was that when you were 11 years old? What was like the first time you kind of were like, Yeah, I like I like doing this. You know,
Erin Kinsey
my mom put me in piano lessons. When I was in preschool. She could either put me in like Spanish or piano and she picked piano. So I was in piano lessons for a while. And I was like on all the sports teams, you know, doing all the things just staying busy, really. And at some point, I guess around 11 I did not want to learn piano anymore. I didn’t want to do my lessons. My girl bless her. She was trying to get me to learn like technique, and Beethoven and I wanted to learn Miranda Lambert. So I was like we are at a crossroads a change has to happen. So I remember going to my parents and telling them I wanted to quit piano. But they said that I had to pick up a different instrument. And I said fair, I’ll just like dog because that’s what people do. So I mean, funnily enough now I like to play piano all the time, because I want to get better and right on piano. And I’m so thankful I had that as a base. But I got a guitar for Christmas at 11. Okay, it was over. I mean, that was it. It was over. I was learning every song on the radio, I ever just started writing my own. And I would come home from school and just want to learn more songs. I would think about it all the time. And it was my first time being like obsessed with something I wasn’t super obsessed with like TV shows or books or anything like that. But I was just obsessed with music, and I couldn’t get enough of
Sue Bonzell
- Well, there you go. And then here she is. Right. And here she is. So let’s talk about your involvement with breast cancer research. And Susan G. Komen. Yeah, there’s a song called Pink. Tell us about that. The song and kind of your involvement.
Erin Kinsey
Yeah, so I wrote that song with Jodie Maher, and Victoria Shaw, who are both legendary writers in town. And we wrote it after I found out my manager at the time was going through a battle with breast cancer. And she had done, you know, gone through a lot of the treatments and a lot of the, you know, beginning stages kind of by herself and kept it to herself. And I think for her if she didn’t talk about it a lot. It didn’t feel quite as real. But eventually she started opening up about it. And I had all these things that I wished I could have told her in the beginning. And that was what the song was. So Victoria had this idea that she was waiting for the right time to write and she’s said that she imagined it being called Pink and that Sunday pink would just be another color. It wouldn’t have to represent breast cancer awareness. It wouldn’t have to be in ribbons. It wouldn’t have to be on T shirts. It would just be a color. So we wrote that song. And it was super emotional. And we were proud of it. And we kind of high fives and left the room and never could have imagined what it would end up doing. I mean, they ended up being five incredible artists on it. Monica, who’s an r&b artist, Jordan sparks, Sarah Evans. Rita Wilson, who’s a breast cancer survivor, and then also Dolly Parton saying on it
Sue Bonzell
yeah, just a little somebody. Yeah. Dolly Parton. Yeah, so
Erin Kinsey
absolutely insane. And then actually, that was my first time it was not my debut, but I actually got to go on the opry stage and Sing it with Victoria Shaw and Rita Wilson Well, a few years back, but it was such an amazing thing to be a part of, I feel like I’m really lucky to have something so early on in my career, remind me and really put in stone that this is so much more than just anything to do with me, or anything to do with just writing songs about the fun summer days, or even sad songs like you really can be there for people. And, I mean, the whole thing happened throughout COVID. So people weren’t able to go with their loved ones to their appointments to their check ins to all of their things. So the song really stood in that place. And it was really amazing to see, you know, what a song to do. Yeah,
Sue Bonzell
it’s the power of country music, right?
Erin Kinsey
Absolutely. Yeah, no doubt.
Sue Bonzell
Absolutely. Well, when we come back, we’re gonna take a little break. And when we come back, we’re gonna play my world famous game truth or truth. Don’t be scared. It’s okay. And if you want to see Erin play her latest song, acoustic version of that you can click the link in the description. It’s truth or truth. It is time for my world famous game truth or truth Erin Kinsey. Are you ready to play? I think so. It’s really tough. Go ahead and pick a card
Erin Kinsey
true the truth typically you have like a cop out, but this isn’t a cop out on this one. Oh, Ramona chicken noodle. God. Probably Chicken Noodle chicken noodle. Yeah, the one from Chick fil A is just so cool.
Sue Bonzell
I haven’t even had that. Oh, it’s so good.
Erin Kinsey
You gotta get it. Okay. I mean, it’s hot now, but when it starts raining gets cold for a second because Nashville loves to prank you and make you think it’s spring when it should go get it. Okay.
Sue Bonzell
At the Chick fil A is your fav?
Erin Kinsey
Oh, it’s so good. What? How
Sue Bonzell
do you feel about ramen?
Erin Kinsey
I love ramen too. But if you had a choice chicken noodle, it says or is it so? Yeah, this is an either or. This is either or. Yeah.
Sue Bonzell
Okay, chicken noodle it is we know what to get her. Okay, done. We’re gonna play a couple more. How about AlphaGo? Which keeps you picking all the either or? It’s perfect. He’s got them off. He’s already sizer onion
Erin Kinsey
rings, french fries. But if I could have any variation of this, I am a fiend for sweet potato fries. Like okay, they are so good. Okay, so the crinkle cut done was great. Done. I was just like, I Beggars can’t be choosers. You’re like, it’s
Sue Bonzell
sweet potato fries. You’re at all I’m in. Okay,
Erin Kinsey
I’m in. And if I might trying to be like healthy, I will try my best to convince someone else to get sweet potato fries. So I can at least have a couple
Sue Bonzell
and you’re like, I didn’t order them. Oh, he also ordered them. No, if you’re not eating off of your plate, it doesn’t count. Doesn’t count. There’s no calories. Like that’s not yours. It’s doesn’t count. So it’s perfect. Yeah, it was always when somebody else ordered something and you’re like, Well, that looks good.
Erin Kinsey
That’s perfect. You just go look and try that and you just go for it.
Sue Bonzell
Have you ever been with somebody who doesn’t share off their plate? No. I have and it’s I’m like, that’s weird to me. No, I’m like, Wait, you’re not going to share like even like one bite? Well, I’m
Erin Kinsey
gonna be honest, I’m more of in that position. I’m more of a ask for forgiveness, not permission, so I wouldn’t really know. Exactly. And they’re like, Yeah, well, and then I just picked up my oh my gosh, it’s amazing. Thank you so much. And then
Sue Bonzell
she’s got technique, y’all. I can’t wait to go dine out with
Erin Kinsey
sweet potato fries. You got to figure it out.
Sue Bonzell
I’m not ordering but you are. I was like you should get served and it’s the Jedi mind tricks what you’re doing right? I guess so. Something like that. Yeah. These fries you’re looking for? Like, you wouldn’t want sweet potato fries. That’s bad. Maybe they’re good. Maybe they’re good. Okay, let’s do one more digging that
Erin Kinsey
may try to get a not either or. Oh, there we go. Um, have you ever accidentally hit something or someone with your car? I’m sure you know what with the door? That’s it with the door? Yeah, no cars. God, thank God no good, but I’m trying to like think back. But I feel like I would remember that. My sister got in one
Sue Bonzell
pool, but Oh, yeah. Rat her out. Let’s go. Let’s get sorry.
Erin Kinsey
Downtown Dallas is humbling for everyone. But it was fine. Like everyone was okay, good. It was good. But um,
Sue Bonzell
yeah. Have you ever left a door ding or like, hit somebody’s door? And then you’ll have you ever left a note or anything like that, or? No.
Erin Kinsey
I’ve never left a note. I think like, it’s always in people I know. And so I’m just like, no.
Sue Bonzell
Sorry, my bad. Yeah. Luckily,
Erin Kinsey
I feel like I like there’s never been evidence. Okay, okay. Oh, there you go. So I can just evidence or raise it from my mind. And as far as as far as we know, you’re a great driver. Right? Yeah. drives you fast. That
Sue Bonzell
was not super convincing.
Erin Kinsey
No, I I mean, I’ve never been in a wreck. What exactly okay, but um, yeah, I drive really fast. Being from Texas. It’s just how it is
Sue Bonzell
well, and out here to the I mean, you got to kind of drive fast out. Oh, yeah. I mean, I’ve got I got semis blown by me. Like, oh, god go faster.
Erin Kinsey
I know you. I mean, you don’t really look at the speed limit. Well, I don’t know. Like there’s cameras. I don’t know. I really I just go with the flow. I go. Everybody else is doing Yes. It’s like if they’re jumping off the bridge, I just I guess I don’t want to whatever, but we’re always meeting together. They can’t get
Sue Bonzell
can’t get us all. Thank goodness, horrible advice. And I was like it when you drove past somebody who’s already been pulled over and you’re like,
Erin Kinsey
Baby, I know. I’m like, ooh, like you’re really taking one for the team out there. Thank you.
Sue Bonzell
Oh, my goodness. Okay. Well, thank you so much for playing the game, of course, for being here. Thank you for all of the interview questions and your song, Erin Kinsey. Erin Kinsey. You can follow her on all of the socials and look for her new music. Thanks for watching up in country be sure to like and subscribe and leave us a comment. We do new episodes every Tuesday and be sure to follow up and country on Instagram TikTok and Facebook and you can follow me to add Sue Bonzell on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
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