Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Duvall.
Erin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hi everyone! My name is Erin Duvall, and I am a singer/songwriter/mother and entrepreneur. I grew up in a large family in Dallas, TX, as the fourth of five children. I have two very wonderful parents who taught us at an early age the importance of hard work and giving back. Every aspect of my life since I was a little girl has been based around being a performer. I was always writing songs in my journal, blaring Dolly Parton, Shania Twain, and all the musicals, and putting on shows for anyone that would listen.
My younger years were full of performing, from being the lead in the high school musicals to captaining the cheerleading squad. I took a pause to go to college at the University of Texas and majored in journalism, where I really honed in on my craft of writing. Immediately after college, I went straight back to music and have had quite the journey along the way: from children’s music to my music, from New York to Nashville to the West Coast, then back to Texas, to becoming a mother and writing my last album, One by One, and my new upcoming music…it’s been a long and winding road. One that has always been centered on music. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my love of music and all the fabulous places it has taken me along the way to get to where I am now.
Additionally, I created ‘Twice the Love Foundation’ for single parents, both men and women alike, after experiencing firsthand the effects of a one-parent family. When I moved back home in 2016, going through my divorce, I was very fortunate to have a loving place to land; however, I know many single parents do not find this support on their journey.
My career has many different roles attached to it. I am a full-time single mother, a singer/songwriter, an entrepreneur, and the founder of a foundation that benefits single parents. Each piece is intricately intertwined with one another, and without my experiences, both good and bad, these parts that make up who I am as a person would not exist. I always say to my children that you can’t go over the hard times, you can’t go under them, but instead you must go through them. Hard experiences in life don’t have to break us; instead, they can define us and allow us to use our pain and turn it into something really beautiful.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve met very few people in the music industry who can say their road has been completely smooth. The many bumps and twists along the way—both personally and professionally—are what have shaped me into who I am today and given me the experience to truly stand in the light of who I am as both an artist and a person.
I was very young and naïve when I first started out. My heart was in the right place, but I lacked the knowledge and experience needed to really make an impact. Back then, I didn’t understand how much work goes on behind the scenes to promote the music—work that is equal to, if not greater than, the effort that goes into making the record itself. With my debut album, I made the mistake of not having a solid team in place to push and promote the music. I was fortunate to get it in front of some wonderful people, but the marketing and branding foundation simply wasn’t there when it needed to be.
The music industry is a beautiful yet unpredictable place. It has incredible highs and difficult lows. The most important thing I’ve learned is that you must always stay true to yourself. You will evolve and change internally over time, but as long as you stand by your core values and fight for what you believe in, you’ll thrive instead of burning out.
You also have to understand, it will never be easy. This industry can break your heart and make your dreams come true all in the same moment. The key is to keep showing up, keep working hard, and keep putting one foot in front of the other, day after day. And finally, surround yourself with the right team, people who understand your vision and have your best interests at heart. That support makes all the difference.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
It is a delicate dance balancing all of the different aspects of my professional life, my career, and my personal world.
I strongly believe that you have to balance the creative side and the business side equally or you can get lost in the shuffle.
Looking back on my career, there are definitely three qualities that I carried with me daily that have allowed me to keep pushing forward every single day.
First, my willingness to evolve as a person, artist, and professional while still keeping a true sense of myself and my family is something that I possess. I am able to take critiques very well and understand that they are not personal, just business.
Secondly, I have a lot of perseverance. I have been knocked down a few times on my journey, and the ability to dust myself off and keep pushing forward is something I am proficient at doing at this stage in my life. It is important to not sweat the small stuff and to always learn from your mistakes, but don’t let them define you.
And lastly, I am a very loyal person. If you treat me well, then I will treat you very well in return. But I also understand when a relationship is not the right fit and am able to gracefully walk away and find someone who is a better fit.
Specifically speaking about my foundation, I truly believe that the single-parent community is a very underserved group of people. Whether it is due to death, divorce or choice, being a single parent affects every race, every culture, every part of the world. My foundation is trying to engage more people in the conversation about what a one-parent household looks like. We have just as much love in our homes as anyone else does. With our benefit concerts, we are spreading this message, and we are so excited about what’s to come as we continue to grow.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I want to live a life that is worth writing about! I want to continue being the present parent to my four amazing kids because that is time you can never get back. Plus you will have so many amazing stories to share. Being a parent has helped me learn how to manage my time wisely, and if something is super important to me, I will prioritize it and make the time. I believe that you have to go after what you want. Time doesn’t wait for anyone!
I have some new music coming out at the top of the New Year that I am super excited about people hearing. I have had the opportunity to work with incredible producers in my career, and as my sound continues to evolve with every album I do.
My foundation is doing their annual Toy Drive in December, and it is always a family fun day full of love, all of the Christmas feels, and the joy of paying it forward.
And I have another special project that I have been working on for a very long time that has had a lot of growth, and I am excited about eventually sharing it with the world! It’s near and dear to my heart.
The next 5-10 years will be a wild ride, and I am looking forward to every crazy turn and spin that it brings!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.erinduvallofficial.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinduvallofficial
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erinduvallofficial
- Twitter: https://x.com/erinduvallofcl
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6Sy9anxQQu1qNXqujvAVEw
