Author Archives: Shauna "WhiskeyChick" Castorena

About Shauna "WhiskeyChick" Castorena

Shauna "WhiskeyChick" Castorena is a freelance writer for both Country Music News and Country Music On Tour. Want to collab on some content? Email me. Want my rates for commercial promo work? Get them right here.

Hunter Hayes to release The 21 Project November 6th 2015

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Hunter Hayes has been exploring different ways to share new music with fans throughout the summer, and on Friday, Nov. 6 the Atlantic / Warner Music Nashville artist will offer up his latest creation with the release of The 21 Project. Featuring three discs – one acoustic, one studio and one live – the special collection will showcase the life of seven songs through each variation. Tracks will include Hayes’ current Top 25-and-climbing single, “21,” as well as a brand new song, “I Mean You.” [bctt tweet=”So excited for @HunterHayes #the21project! How about you? #CountryMusic”] “This project has been a lot of fun for me, because it really brings the focus back to the music and shows how a song grows from its original form into something we play on stage,” said Hayes, who co-produced The 21 Project with Dann Huff. “We’re making our fall tour all about the music and connecting with fans in a closer setting, and just enjoying music together.” The 21 Project is available for pre-order now at http://smarturl.it/HH21ProjectPR with a track listing as follows: 1.“21” (Dallas Davidson, Kelley Lovelace, Ashley Gorley, Hunter Hayes) 2.“Young And In Love” (Hunter Hayes, Dan Omelio, Dave Barnes) 3.“Saint Or A Sinner” (Hunter Hayes, Lori McKenna, Barry Dean) 4.“Where It All Begins (feat. Lady Antebellum)” (Hunter Hayes, Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott) 5.“Suitcase” (Hunter Hayes, Ashley Gorley, Ross Copperman) 6.“The Trouble With Love” (Lori McKenna, Hunter Hayes) 7.“I Mean You” (Hunter Hayes, Jimmy Robbins, Ashley Gorley) Hayes will embark on his 21 Tour on October 22, playing a limited run of dates. The always-innovative entertainer collaborated with Spotify to help route his upcoming tour, targeting college markets with high densities of fans who stream Hayes’ music. Current dates for the 21 Tour include: Thursday, Oct. 22 – Western Carolina University – Cullowhee, N.C. Friday, Oct. 23 – Kent State University – Kent, Ohio Saturday, Oct. 24 – West Point Eisenhower Hall Theater – Highland Falls, N.Y. Thursday, Oct. 29 – Purdue University – West Lafayette, Ind. Friday, Oct. 30 – Aebersold Recreation Center at Slippery Rock University – Slippery Rock, Pa. Thursday, Nov. 5 – Western Kentucky University – Bowling Green, Ky. Friday, Nov. 6 – Notre Dame University – Notre Dame, Ind. Saturday, Nov. 7 – Illinois State University – Normal, Ill. Saturday, Nov. 14 – University of Oklahoma – Norman, Okla.

Hot New Music from Country Music News Blog!

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It’s a great time in country music with many artists pushing out brand new albums before the 2015 CMA’s kick off! We’ve compiled a list of the hottest new albums that are already out, out today, and coming soon to help you find what you love! Of course, these are Amazon links so if you purchase from one of our links you will help support our operating expenses here at CMNB, but hey… something’s gotta keep the lights on! Cheers! ~WC~

Blake Shelton Dishes on the Single Life

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People Magazine seems to be just as interested in how the newly single Blake Shelton is doing these days as his fans are. In the next issue Blake makes the cover while a “close friend” of his dishes about how he’s doing now that he and Miranda Lambert are over. “Clearly he was upset during the breakup, but he’s not someone to sit around and lick his wounds,” says a close friend of the country singer. “He’s about moving forward and not looking in the rearview mirror.” [bctt tweet=”Find out how single life has been treating #BlakeShelton #CountryMusic”] Leaning on his Voice crew and costars and spending quality time with his male pals (the star recently returned from an annual hunting trip), Shelton – who announced his divorce from Lambert, 31, in July – “has bounced back very quickly,” says the friend. “He experiences all the same ups and downs as anyone else, but he is doing so well and is always the life of the party.” On set in Los Angeles, “Everyone wants to hang out with him,” says the friend. “He’s been upbeat and enjoying his time with the coaches. They are a tight-knit group.” “This is the most loving combination [of coaches],” Shelton – whose compilation album Reloaded: 20 #1 Hits comes out Oct. 23 – told PEOPLE earlier this summer. “We spend time together a lot mostly just talking [and ] having life discussions. That’s my favorite part of being on this show is those friendships that I’ve made. We love each other.” Shelton, 39, is also working on new music (“This is the most excited he’s been about an album,” says another source) and has lost at least 20 lbs. in the last several months. “There’s been a silver lining for Blake,” says the pal. “He has the time to take care of himself and he’s taken positive steps in his life to spend time with friends and family.” “I’m in a good place,” he told CMT recently. “I wasn’t, but I am now. It’s amazing how quickly life can turn around for you. I’ve had some pretty cool things in recent times that have happened, and I’m loving it.” Rumors of a new album, and of course his success as the most boisterous of the Voice coaches are also keeping Blake busy these days. You can find out more in the newest issue of People that hits the stands this Friday.

Garth Brooks Announces San Jose Tour Stop!

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In the latest of tour announcements from the most entertaining man in country music, Garth Brooks has let it be known that his next stop will be San Jose, California! [bctt tweet=”I Can’t WAIT to see #GARTHinSANJOSE! #GarthBrooks”] Garth Brooks San Jose Shows will run November 13th and 14th. Details on tickets and showtimes can be found at the links below!

Luke Bryan’s Farm Tour 2015 and Bad Boy® To Give Away Recoil® 4×4!

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Luke Bryan on Country Music News Blog!

AUGUSTA, GA — Fans of kick-up-your-heels country music and four-wheeled outdoor adventure, take note! Bad Boy is giving away a Recoil® 4×4 utility vehicle and tickets to country-music superstar Luke Bryan’s Farm Tour 2015! [bctt tweet=”Find out how to win a Bad Boy Recoil® 4×4 utility vehicle courtesy of @LukeBryan’s #FarmTour! “] Enter to win by visiting Bad Boy’s booth at each stop of the tour, or by visiting Bad Boy’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/badboybuggies/app_143103275748075. After the tour’s conclusion Oct. 10, a grand-prize winner will be drawn at random from among all entrants to receive a Bad Boy Recoil 4×4 utility vehicle. In addition, before each of the tour’s eight stops, Bad Boy will draw an entry at random for a winner to receive two tickets to the next show on the tour. Bad Boy vehicles will be on display at each of the Farm Tour’s eight stops, including the Recoil and new Recoil iS Crew, a fully electric 4×4 side-by-side with forward-facing seating for up to four passengers. No purchase or obligation is necessary to enter or to claim any prize for the Bad Boy® Farm Tour 2015 Giveaway (“Sweepstakes”). A purchase does not increase chances of winning. Must be 21 years of age or older to enter for the grand prize. To view the giveaway’s official rules, please visit Bad Boy’s Facebook page. Dates for the Luke Bryan Farm Tour 2015 are: • Sept. 30: Fort Wayne, Ind. • Oct. 1: Lexington, Ky. • Oct. 2: Knoxville, Tenn. • Oct. 3: Columbia, SC • Oct. 7: Starkville, Miss. • Oct. 8: Tuscaloosa, Ala. • Oct. 9: Macon, Ga. • Oct. 10: Valdosta, Ga. Since the debut of his first album in 2007, Luke Bryan has placed 13 singles at No. 1 and sold nearly 8 million albums with 30 million digital tracks from his five studio albums. He has been named Entertainer of the Year by both the Academy of Country Music (twice) and the Country Music Association. Luke recently debuted his KILL THE LIGHTS album at #1 on both the Billboard Top 200 and Top Country Albums charts. This is Luke’s third consecutive album to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200. KILL THE LIGHTS also becomes the third-largest album debut in 2015, next to r&b/hip hop releases from Drake and Kendrick Lamar. KILL THE LIGHTS is the highest country album debut in the last two years as well, since Luke’s own CRASH MY PARTY release debuted at #1 in August 2013. Luke is taking his “Kick The Dust Up Tour” across North America in 2015 and to date has sold out eight stadium shows. This fall he will embark on his seventh annual “Bayer Presents Luke Bryan Farm Tour 2015” performing in eight cities across the south, granting local college scholarships to students from a farming family within the communities the tour plays. Earlier this year, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum launched a new exhibit, “Luke Bryan: Dirt Road Diary.” The Continue reading Luke Bryan’s Farm Tour 2015 and Bad Boy® To Give Away Recoil® 4×4!→

Leads Sought in Attack of Nashville Producer David Brainard

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Police are currently seeking leads to track down a man and woman who attacked country music producer Dave Brainard on Sunday September 27th. According to The Tennessean, David was so severely injured that he is now awaiting reconstructive surgery on his face in a Nashville hospital. The currently released facts are: The attack occurred as Brainard and two accompanying women were walking in the crosswalk in front of the 1505 Demonbreun apartment building Both assailants came out of a charcoal or gray 4-door Infiniti The female assailant was described as white, 5 feet 6 inches tall and in her early 30s. The male assailant was 6 feet 2 inches tall, 200 pounds and white Both were well dressed, as if they had been at a formal event. The case has been assigned to detectives in the Midtown Hills Precinct. Anyone with information should call 615-742-7463. [bctt tweet=”To submit a tip to #Nashville Police re: #JusticeForBrainard call 615-742-7463. Follow link for case details.”] The Tennessean reports that Brainard — who produced Brandy Clark’s Grammy-nominated 12 Stories album — was crossing Demonbreun Street in downtown Nashville with two female friends when he was struck by a gray four-door Infinity in the early morning hours on Sept. 27. The group had been using the crosswalk. Deborah DeLoach, one of the women with Brainard, recalls that the car repeatedly hit them, slowly, before a female passenger exited the vehicle. “We couldn’t get out of the street because they kept hitting us,” DeLoach explains. “They both get out and start yelling – she starts yelling, he’s yelling. The woman attacked me, and the man attacked Dave.” DeLoach told police she was assaulted by the female in the vehicle, while the male went after Brainard, beating him and choking him until he was unconscious. He also suffered a broken jaw (in two places), in addition to shattered teeth and multiple lacerations. Police drove Brainard to the hospital, where he remains, awaiting surgery. “He’s going to make it, but he is not doing well and has severe injuries to his face,” DeLoach reports. The suspects are described as white and well-dressed. The woman is said to be 5 feet, 6 inches tall and in her early 30s, while the man is 6 feet 2 inches tall and 200 pounds. Police request that anyone with information about the attack call 615-742-7463. Forty-year-old Brainard is also known for producing work from Jerrod Niemann and Jamey Johnson. Read More: Dave Brainard Hospitalized After Severe Beating | http://tasteofcountry.com/dave-brainard-producer-beaten/?trackback=tsmclip

The NASH FM 94.7 New York Country Concert 2015 Lineup

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New York City’s only Country radio station — announced that Lee Brice, Rodney Atkins, Mo Pitney and Dylan Scott will be performing at the 10/26 New York edition of its popular “NASH BASH” concert series. NASH FM 94.7, New York City’s only Country radio station, presents “NASH BASH” at Manhattan’s Beacon Theater on October 26 at 7:30 p.m. featuring Country star Lee Brice as the headliner and performances by Rodney Atkins, Mo Pitney and Dylan Scott. [bctt tweet=”Get the detailed lineup for the 2015 #NASHBASH!”] NASH BASH marks NASH FM 94.7’s return to the Beacon Theater following the station’s successful NASH Holiday BASH at the venue in 2013, which featured performances by Dierks Bentley and Parmalee. The concert celebrates New York’s Country Station listeners across the tri-state area. As NASH’s flagship station, NASH FM 94.7 draws nearly 1.4 million listeners a week. Country fans can listen live for chances to win tickets to the stellar concert event beginning soon. Lee Brice is an award-winning Country music singer, songwriter and producer. Brice recently received the 2015 Academy of Country Music Award for “Single Record Of The Year,” which recognized the success of his 2014 album I Don’t Dance. Brice is currently on a national tour seeking to become the first Country artist to perform in all 50 U.S. states in 2015. Country music singer-songwriter Rodney Atkins’ skyrocketed to fame in 1997 when he charted his first single on the Billboard Country chart. Since then, Atkins has had 6 number one hits, sold 4 million singles since 2010, received 8 major Country Music award nominations and been recognized as the Academy of Country Music’s “Top New Male Vocalist.” Mo Pitney is a Country music singer-songwriter whose critically acclaimed single “Country” held a Top 40 spot on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart for 24 consecutive weeks in 2015. Pitney is a Nashville native and is widely regarded as one of Country music’s biggest rising stars. Dylan Scott is an up-and-coming Country music singer-songwriter and social media sensation. Scott’s music videos and popular covers on YouTube have gone viral generating millions of views, and his recent single “Crazy Over Me” reached #14 on Billboard’s Country Digital Sales chart. Cumulus launched the NASH Country music lifestyle entertainment brand in January 2013 beginning with New York’s Country Station NASH FM 94.7. In addition to Country radio stations and live concerts/events, the NASH brand includes original feature-length films, NASH Country Weekly magazine, online content and television programming. Country radio programs originate from Cumulus Media’s NASH campus in Nashville, the nation’s only multimedia facility devoted solely to producing and distributing content based on the Country music lifestyle. Tickets to the event are available through Ticketmaster.com beginning today at 1:00 p.m. ET and range from $30 to $50.

Leann Rimes to release Today Is Christmas

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Christmas has come early! Grammy Award Winning singer-songwriter LeAnn Rimes will release her new Christmas album, “Today is Christmas”, on October 16, 2015. The album was recorded in Los Angeles at Capitol Recording Studios and Sunset Sound Studios; and was co-produced by Rimes, Darrell Brown and Niko Bolas. Rimes also co-wrote two original songs for the album, the title track, “Today is Christmas”, as well as “I Still Believe in Santa Claus”. [bctt tweet=”Preview @LeannRimes ‘Celebrate Me Home’ and watch the making of the recording with @GavinDeGraw”] Released by Kobalt Label Services, “Today is Christmas” will be available for pre-order on iTunes and Amazon today, September 18, 2015. The pre-order will include an instant grat track, “Celebrate Me Home”, a holiday favorite that Rimes recorded as a duet with Grammy nominated artist, Gavin DeGraw. CLICK TO LISTEN HERE: http://smarturl.it/leann_cmh. To make the album even more merry and bright, Rimes also teamed up with hit recording artist Aloe Blacc for a soulful duet of the song, “That Spirit of Christmas”. “I try to remain in the Christmas spirit all year long”, says Rimes, “so I am hoping my fans will be right there with me – singing all the way into the New Year”. She continues, “I was able to collaborate with some incredibly talented vocalists and musicians to make this amazing record, and I can’t wait for you to hear it.” “Today is Christmas” Track List: 1. Today Is Christmas 2. We Need A Little Christmas 3. That Spirit of Christmas (Featuring Aloe Blacc) 4. I Still Believe In Santa Claus 5. Holly Jolly Christmas / Frosty The Snowman 6. Celebrate Me Home (Featuring Gavin DeGraw) 7. Must Be Santa 8. Christmas Time is Here 9. The Heartache Can Wait 10. Little Drummer Boy 11. Joy (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / Angels We Have Heard On High / Hark The Herald Angels Sing) 12. Auld Lang Syne To celebrate the new record, Rimes announced that she will be hitting the West Coast on her annual Christmas tour which will be appropriately called, “Today is Christmas”. The tour kicks off in Tacoma, Washington on December 4th with Ellee Duke opening. For more information on LeAnn Rimes and her tour dates and tickets, please visit: www.leannrimesworld.com and visit www.youtube.com/user/leannrimesofficial.

Kenny Chesney adds Miranda Lambert, & more to 2016 No Shoes Nation Tour!

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Kenny Chesney on Country Music News

I guess we know where we’re going next summer! Congrats to Miranda Lambert​, Sam Hunt​ and Old Dominion​ for landing on one of the hottest tickets of 2016 with Kenny Chesney​’s No Shoes Nation tour! [bctt tweet=”@KennyChesney adds @MirandaLambert, @SamHuntMusic & @OldDominion to the 2016 #NoShoesNation tour!”] Every year Kenny Chesney’s tours just get bigger and bigger, and 2016 will be no exception! Filling arenas with some of the best fans in country music, Kenny’s No Shoes Nation tickets will sell out fast! Be sure to check back with us for official dates and states. OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE: Nashville, Tenn. – (Sept. 15, 2015) The dust hasn’t even settled from Kenny Chesney’s record-smashing Big Revival 2015 Tour – closing with 120,206 fans played to over two nights at Foxboro, Massachusetts’ Gillette Stadium – and the man The Wall Street Journal has deemed “The King of the Road” is ready to kick-off 2016. As is always his way, he’s looking to make his stadium shows the best day of the summer. ​“People count on having a great day when they come out to see us,” Chesney explains. “And I think it’s important that we give them the best show we can from the moment they hit the gate until the final encore song’s been played.” To realize this goal, Chesney tapped six-time Female Vocalist and four-time Album of the Year winner Miranda Lambert, currently up for four 2015 CMAs including Entertainer and Female Vocalist of the Year. Known for hits including “The House That Built Me,” “Kerosene,” “White Liar,” “Baggage Claim,” CMA Song of the Year “Over You” and the current “Smokin’ And Drinkin’,” TIME hails the Texas firebrand for “packing heat and heart in equal measure.” ​“Miranda is the real deal,” Chesney says. “She’s a songwriter, first, and a real vocalist. She’s puts it all out there when she’s on stage, and I loved touring with her so much in 2009, I can’t believe it’s taken us this long to get her back out here – because I love every single thing about who she is as an artist and a person.” Joining them will be Sam Hunt, the Cedartown, Georgian who’s already scored three consecutive Platinum-selling #1s with “Leave The Night On,” “Take Your Time” and “House Party” from his debut album, Montevallo. In addition to his own hits, he wrote Chesney’s #1 “Come Over” and Keith Urban’s “Cop Car.” With his distinct country sound, Hunt has surpassed 450 million streams across all digital platforms – far more than any other country music newcomer. ​“The second I heard Sam’s demo for ‘Come Over,’ I knew he was onto something very unique,” says the man who gave Hunt his first cut. “Watching him develop as an artist, seeing his songwriting evolve – and knowing how he brings it when he gets onstage makes him a perfect act to come out with us. He’s fun, alive and all about the music.” ​And reprising their kick-off position — but getting a longer Continue reading Kenny Chesney adds Miranda Lambert, & more to 2016 No Shoes Nation Tour!→

Comedian Jeff Dunham launches “Perfectly Unbalanced” National Tour

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (Sept. 14, 2015) – Get ready for a whole lot of Jeff Dunham. The internationally acclaimed comedian and ventriloquist is debuting two new specials this fall and loading up the bus with his cast of characters and heading out on the road. Dunham will embark on the Perfectly Unbalanced Tour starting Dec. 2, and the new Unhinged in Hollywood with Special Guest Brad Paisley will air at 8 p.m. ET Sept. 17 on NBC. Tickets for the 20-city run go on sale Friday and can be purchased at JeffDunham.com. Additionally fans can see Dunham on FOX News’ Fox & Friends on Tuesday, Sept. 15. Unhinged in Hollywood was shot during a two-night stand at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles in August. Comedy Central will give Unhinged its cable television premiere at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1. The network will replay the show at 11 p.m. Nov. 14, 6 p.m. Nov. 26 and 5 p.m. Christmas Day. [bctt tweet=”Comedian @JeffDunham launches “Perfectly Unbalanced” National Tour! “] Comedy Central also will be airing a number of Dunham’s most popular specials for fans in the mood to binge watch. Controlled Chaos airs at 12:30 a.m. on Oct. 31 and 11 p.m. Nov. 1. Spark of Insanity runs at 11 p.m. Oct. 31 and 5:30 p.m. Nov. 1. Minding the Monsters airs at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Oct. 29 and hourly 7 p.m. through 10 p.m. Oct. 31. And 2014 special All Over the Map will be shown at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Nov. 1. A regular on Forbes’ Celebrity 100 list of most powerful entertainers, Dunham has built a comedy empire over years of constant touring and innovation. Using colorful characters like Walter the Grumpy Retiree, Achmed the Dead Terrorist, redneck Bubba J, Peanut, and Jose Jalapeno, Dunham has carved a unique corner in the comedy world that’s as funny as it is popular. He has set the record for viewership on Comedy Central, sold more than 7 million DVDs worldwide and nearly a billion views on YouTube. Perfectly Unbalanced Tour dates: Dec. 2 – Resch Center, Green Bay, Wisconsin Dec. 3 – US Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Dec. 4 – Expocentre Landon Arena, Topeka, Kansas Dec. 5 – US Cellular Coliseum, Bloomington, Illinois Dec. 6 – Nutter Center, Dayton, Ohio Dec. 28 – Budweiser Gardens, London, Ontario Dec. 29 – FirstOntario Centre, Hamilton, Ontario Dec. 30 – Giant Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania Dec. 31 – Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Jan. 2-3 – Mile One Centre, St. Johns, Newfoundland Jan. 13 – Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana Jan. 14 – Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, Michigan Jan. 27 – Dunkin Donuts Center, Providence, Rhode Island Jan. 28 – Times Union Square, Albany, New York Jan. 29 – Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Jan. 30 – Agganis Arena, Boston, Massachusetts Jan. 31 – Cross Insurance Arena, Portland, Maine