“Suede,” Dylan Marlowe & Staying Proud of Her Texas Roots | Erin Kinsey
Friend of the show Erin Kinsey returned to Heart of the Gulch during CMA Fest 2026 to talk about the biggest release of her career yet: her debut album, Suede.
Joining host Tony Mendoza in Nashville, Erin also opens up about performing with Dylan Marlowe, growing up in Texas, the differences between Texas Country and Nashville Country, finding fans around the world, and why every opportunity still matters—no matter the size of the stage.
Texas country artist Erin Kinsey during her Heart of the Gulch interview at CMA Fest 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
A Full-Circle CMA Fest Moment
CMA Fest has become a familiar part of Erin Kinsey's journey, but that doesn't mean she's taking it for granted.
As her career continues to grow, Erin reflects on returning to the festival and watching the opportunities around her get bigger.
That includes sharing the stage with Dylan Marlowe, another rising voice in country music, for a live performance during CMA Fest.
For Erin, the size of the crowd may change, but the excitement of getting on stage and connecting with country music fans hasn't.
Texas Will Always Be Home
Erin grew up in the Dallas area, and Texas remains a major part of who she is as both a person and an artist.
During the conversation, Tony and Erin dive into the differences between Texas Country and Nashville Country—and how the two scenes can approach the genre differently while still sharing the same foundation.
Texas pride isn't something Erin plans on leaving behind as her career expands.
No matter how many cities, states or countries music takes her to, she's proud of where she came from.
Tony Mendoza, host of Heart of the Gulch, interviews Erin Kinsey about Suede, her Texas roots, CMA Fest 2026 and the next chapter of her country music career.
Inside Erin Kinsey's Debut Album, Suede
Now Erin is preparing for a milestone years in the making.
Her debut album, Suede, arrives August 7, 2026.
The project represents more than a collection of new songs. Erin describes it as an opportunity for listeners to understand her on a deeper level and experience a more complete picture of the artist she's becoming.
After years of singles, touring, writing and building an audience, Suede gives Erin the space of a full-length project to show fans where she is now.
It's also the beginning of what she sees as a completely new era.
From Nashville to Norway
Erin's audience isn't stopping at the U.S. border.
She also discusses preparing to travel to Norway for one of the biggest headline shows of her career, following an enthusiastic international response to her music.
Songs including “Trouble” have helped her reach country fans far beyond Nashville and Texas.
That international growth is another reminder of how far country music—and Erin's own career—can travel.
Why Every Stage Still Matters
Whether she's performing at CMA Fest, touring across America or preparing to headline thousands of miles from home, Erin keeps coming back to the same thing: the people in the crowd.
Live music gives her a chance to see the listeners behind the streams and numbers.
Those connections are why even as the stages get bigger, she doesn't want performing to become routine.
Every crowd is different.
Every show matters.
And every opportunity is another chance to connect with someone through a song.
Erin Kinsey joins Heart of the Gulch to discuss her debut album Suede, Dylan Marlowe, Texas Country, “Trouble” and her growing international country music audience.
A New Era for Erin Kinsey
With Suede on the way, international shows ahead and a growing audience behind her, Erin Kinsey is entering one of the biggest chapters of her career.
But underneath all of that momentum is still the Texas singer-songwriter who packed up and chased country music to Nashville.
She's growing.
She's traveling farther.
She's playing bigger stages.
And she's still damn proud to be from Texas.
Watch Erin Kinsey on Heart of the Gulch
Watch the full Erin Kinsey interview from CMA Fest 2026 as she joins Tony Mendoza to discuss her debut album Suede, Dylan Marlowe, Texas Country versus Nashville Country, performing at CMA Fest, international fans and what's coming next.
Interview Chapters
0:00 — Erin Kinsey Interview at CMA Fest 2026
0:48 — Erin Kinsey & Dylan Marlowe Perform Together Live
1:35 — Growing Through CMA Fest & Country Music Success
2:21 — Dallas, Texas Roots & Touring Across America
3:36 — Texas Country Music vs. Nashville Country Music
4:38 — Why Erin Kinsey Will Always Be Proud to Be From Texas
5:43 — Erin Kinsey's Next Music Era Begins
6:34 — Erin Kinsey Explains Her Debut Album Suede
7:31 — Norway Tour, “Trouble” & International Country Music Fans
8:55 — Live Shows, Fan Connections & The Power of Country Music
10:39 — Suede, New Songs & What's Next for Erin Kinsey
Tony Mendoza is the Nashville-based host and creator of Heart of the Gulch, featuring conversations with country artists, songwriters and personalities from Nashville and beyond.
