An interview with Mark Erin AKA DOLLY CASH

1.) Dolly Cash in itself came to be as an homage to where I came from. My mama used to tell us grandkids stories of how we were related to June and the Carter family. So naturally I gravitated to Johnny Cash as a young boy. As I grew older I found various styles of music and moved to Knoxville in 2017. While there I became involved in the Pigeon Forge tourist industry and would always here Dolly Partons name being said. So it kind of clicked I’d use her first name and Johnny’s last name and really just start making some weird western inspired pop music.

2.) Growing up in the mountains I came from a lower middle class family… really we were poor. But we had a house, and my parents always made sure we had food. I was adopted when I 10 by my aunt and uncle. When I was 12 they sold there house and moved out to the country on a 3.5 acre plot of mountain land. We had 2 waterfalls on the property and were secluded. This really shaped my love for nature and the woods. So much so that I joined the Boy Scouts and really started diving into the whole outdoor culture.

3.) Honestly most of my music comes from driving everyday. I’m stubborn and usually land jobs that force me to drive an hour or more one way. Usually on these drives I’ll scroll through YouTube and look up “type beats”. At first I’ll freestyle something really dumb and run with it for part of the car ride, and then by the end of the journey I’ve formed a basis to build off of. I have an almost never ending stream of thoughts and so it can be difficult to focus at times but if I know the style of song I want to write I’ll normally listen to a band in that genre on repeat to get me in the mood and then go from there. But once I start writing I make it a point not to listen to any bands for a few days. As far as collaborative projects I normally am open to most people if I can tell they are passionate and have a good energy. On this latest EP I got to collaborate with my long time friend and inspiration Mr.Gloom. The way that man works is just on a whole nother lever of talent. I also had the awesome opportunity to do a witchhouse track with Atlanta based artist r4venbeats. I came across her stuff on Instagram and just knew she was the one for this song. 

4.) Chevy… is that even a question. Jkjk. It’s bow tie Til I die.

5.) The Appalachian Mountains. Everything about the place just moves me. Thinking about how the hard times up in those hills paved the way for creatively. I also draw inspirations from the people that surround me. Through their stories and experiences. I’ll read a book or watch a movie and be like “that really got me in my feels” and ill just start writing. 

6.) Oddly enough I’m a self published poet, but I don’t read much poetry. For me, I’m a huge Western nerd. I’ll go into a thrift bookstore and walk out with 10 different novels. Now do I usually read all of them? No, but when I do get around to it, it’s like I can’t stop. I love the idea of the cowboy. To be totally free with nothing but the sky above me, the ground beneath me, and the air in my lungs just to explore without boundaries.

7.) I like my coffee black. Growing up I had to have the most obnoxious concoctions in my drinks but one day I took a cue out my uncles book and got up just before sunrise and poured a cup of black. The 1st cup was bitter and forced down but now I can’t go back.

8.) Legacy. I have an incredible wife, but no kids (we prefer to raise dogs and tarantulas) so my art is my baby. I want to nurture my skills and really grow in the art. I’m not making music for the masses. I’m not a charting artist, hell I don’t even tour. So my motivation comes from my drive to not stop making art.

9.) When I first wake up I think “why the hell did I become an artist.” Don’t get me wrong I love acting and I love making music, but I HATE being poor. But God, I love the woman I wake up to and am grateful to have such a strong supporter, and that lights a fire under me to do whatever is necessary to provide for us and to get ahead. When I lay down at night I think “if I die in my sleep right now, then at least no one can say I didn’t go after my dreams”

10.) So I always wanted to be an actor. People used to call me “Hollywood” and would tease me. And for the longest time I thought being an actor meant being famous (totally not the case). I ended up getting a minor in theatre from the University of Tennessee and hit the ground running over the past three years I have been in a slew of projects with some of the biggest names on the planet. But I realized I never wanna be a celebrity. I wanna make art, go home, and be a normal weirdo. I love taking photos, doing docu-style videos, and writing poetry. Oh… and I make a mean pancake.

11.) Man, oh, man. My job list is like a mile long. I have this habit of job hopping. I’m like “Dirty Jobs” without the benefits. Most of my childhood I would mow lawns and work on the neighbors farms. I pulled a six year term in the Army with the 82d. During my 4 years of college I was a farm hand. I traveled with a cell tower company for a week and realized “HELL NAH” (but I made a good buddy by the name of Dave) out of it so it’s chill. Now I’m landscaping in Nashvegas.

12.) Too many but let me try. My oldest mentor and brother from NC Jaiden Frost. MR.Gloom who has worked with me for almost a decade and has been a strong source of inspiration. Kelly Rush and the whole og council crew. Out of Nashville the biggest shout out to my brother Ben Oakes, he took me under his wing and really helped guide me through murky waters. Also my producer of course BeatsbyMake, the man took my music from eh and turned it to WOAH!

12.) I’ll spare the traumatic stories. But I can say bouncing around the foster care system and finally getting adopted shaped everything about my life.

13.) I’m married. For me I thought that was an impossibility. But to have someone who supports me and my art means more to me than any number of streams, views, or accolade. 

14.) People assume that to be from the South you are a gun toting, God fearing, Conservative. Truth is the South is just like anywhere else in the world. We’re a melting pot of creativity and beliefs.

15.) Honestly I never thought on the genre bending as an aspect I just started writing music to various instrumentals and when it was all said and done I realized none of them really fit one category. Probably the adhd brain thing. 

16.) I want to end this interview by saying no matter who you are, where you’re from, or what your talent is, you have a story to tell, so find a way to share it with the world.

Mark Erin’s Links:

INSTAGRAM