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.

2014 CMA Nominees! The full list!

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Miranda Lambert takes the lead with NINE CMA nominations, followed closely by Dierks Bentley with 5, and Eric Church and Keith Urban with 4. 2014 CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan Miranda Lambert Blake Shelton George Strait Keith Urban 2014 CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Miranda Lambert Martina McBride Kacey Musgraves Taylor Swift Carrie Underwood 2014 CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Dierks Bentley Luke Bryan Eric Church Blake Shelton Keith Urban 2014 CMA Album of the Year Crash My Party, Luke Bryan Fuse, Keith Urban Platinum, Miranda Lambert Riser, Dierks Bentley The Outsiders, Eric Church 2014 CMA Vocal Group of the Year Eli Young Band Lady Antebellum Little Big Town The Band Perry Zac Brown Band 2014 CMA New Artist of the Year Brandy Clark Brett Eldredge Kip Moore Thomas Rhett Cole Swindell 2014 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Dan + Shay Florida Georgia Line Love and Theft The Swon Brothers Thompson Square 2014 CMA Single of the Year (Award goes to artist and producer) “Automatic,” Miranda Lambert “Drunk on a Plane,” Dierks Bentley “Give Me Back My Hometown,” Eric Church “Meanwhile Back at Mama’s,” Tim McGraw featuring Faith Hill “Mine Would Be You,” Blake Shelton 2014 CMA Song of the Year (Award goes to songwriters) “Automatic,” written by Nicolle Galyon, Natalie Hemby and Miranda Lambert “Follow Your Arrow,” written by Kacey Musgraves, Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally “Give Me Back My Hometown,” written by Eric Church and Luke Laird “I Don’t Dance,” written by Lee Brice, Rob Hatch, and Dallas Davidson “I Hold On,” written by Brett James and Dierks Bentley 2014 CMA Musical Event of the Year “Bakersfield,” Vince Gill and Paul Franklin “Meanwhile Back at Mama’s,” Tim McGraw and Faith Hill “Something Bad,” Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood “We Were Us,” Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert “You Can’t Make Old Friends,” Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton 2014 CMA Music Video of the Year “Automatic,” Miranda Lambert “Bartender,” Lady Antebellum “Drunk on a Plane,” Dierks Bentley “Follow Your Arrow,” Kacey Musgraves “Something Bad,” Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood 2014 CMA Musician of the Year Sam Bush Jerry Douglas Paul Franklin Dann Huff Mac McAnally The CMA awards will be broadcast live from Nashville on November 5th on ABC at 8/7c

Toby Keith Opens Brand New Restaurant Chain!

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Toby Keith on Country Music News Blog!

We already love Toby Keith‘s I Love This Bar & Grill, and it seems he loves the restaurant business so much he’s starting another chain! Big Dog Daddy’s Ice House opened its doors in Norman, Oklahoma recently and fans are already sending in rave reviews. It’s a build-your-own-pizza with other standard American fare like burgers and dogs, and it’s the first location of what he hopes will turn into many. Of course when he’s not slinging plates, he’s still filling seats on his “Shut Up and Hold On” tour, so there’s plenty of ways to get your fix of the Big Dog Daddy!

New Album from Jason Aldean – Old Boots, New Dirt

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Two-time ACM Male Vocalist of the Year Jason Aldean sent country fans buzzing last night when he announced online that his sixth studio album on Broken Bow Records, Old Boots, New Dirt will be released on Oct. 7. Aldean dropped the news exclusively with BuzzFeed, and he is gearing up for another major event with the site tonight at 7:00P CT. “With this new album, it’s definitely the same old me. But, I like to mix things up and try new sounds and go into territory I’ve never explored before, so I do a little bit of that too. That’s why I named the album ‘Old Boots, New Dirt’…I’m almost 10 years into this crazy ride, but in a lot of ways, I feel like I’m just gettin’ started,” said Aldean. “I think my fans have come to expect some surprises from me, and we’ve got another big one comin’ tonight. You’ll have to pay attention or you could miss it in a flash.” Again produced by Michael Knox, the 15-song disc was recorded with members of Aldean’s long time touring band. From start to finish, the new album packs the daring, hard-rocking punch that’s been landing Aldean on the country radio charts since his very first single, 2005’s “Hicktown.” The new album features the smoking lead single, “Burnin’ It Down,” which has held the No. one position on Soundscan’s Country Genre Chart since its release, marking his biggest ever career debut. Old Boots, New Dirt Track List: 1. Just Gettin’ Started (Chris DeStefano, Rhett Akins, Ashley Gorley) 2. Show You Off (Neil Thrasher, Tony Martin, Brett Beavers) 3. Burnin’ It Down (Rodney Clawson, Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Chris Tompkins) 4. Tryin’ To Love Me (Wendell Mobley, Hillary Lindsey, Neil Thrasher) 5. Sweet Little Somethin’ (David Lee Murphy, Ben Hayslip, Marv Green) 6. Laid Back (Michael Tyler Spragg, Jaron Boyer, Adam Shoenfeld) 7. Tonight Looks Good On You (Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins, Ashley Gorley) 8. Too Fast (Chris Stapleton, Lee Thomas Miller) 9. If My Truck Could Talk (Wendell Mobley, Neil Thrasher, Andrew Pates) 10. Old Boots, New Dirt (Lee Thomas Miller, Tom Shapiro, Neil Thrasher) 11. I Took It With Me (David Lee Murphy, Ben Hayslip) 12. Don’t Change Gone (Neil Thrasher, Tony Martin, Michael Dulaney) 13. Miss That Girl (Ross Copperman, David Lee Murphy) 14. Gonna Know We Were Here (Brett Beavers, Brett James) 15. Two Night Town (Tim Nichols, Brett James)

Rascall Flatts and Disney/Pixar Again?

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This weekend the guys in Rascal Flatts took a short break from the Rewind Tour to pop in on friend and Chief Creative Officer of Disney, John Lasseter, for a visit. Could the king of Disney have something in the works for Gary and the guys again, after the success their rendition of “Life Is A Highway” had in the animated film Cars? I hope so. Either way, it’s nice to see the guys out on the road but not running themselves ragged! *Photo courtesy of Rogers & Cowen

Johnny Cash and The Carter Family Exhibit Joins the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona

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The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona is proud to announce the addition of a new exhibit featuring instruments and stage wear from the infamous Johnny Cash and Carter family. These new exhibits join the ranks of other prominent artists with ties to country music already featured in MIM’s Artist Gallery including Elvis Presley, Toby Keith, Roy Orbison, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Taylor Swift. Items on display in the Carter Family and Johnny Cash exhibits have never before been displayed for the public and come to MIM on loan from John Carter Cash, son of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, and Dale Jett, grandson of A.P. Carter. The items will be on display through April 2016. “When I first visited MIM, I was excited by its inimitable beauty and scale. It has been a wondrous blessing to work with the staff there and help bring about the Carter Family / Johnny Cash display,” said John Carter Cash. “I feel it is inspired and shows a unique view into the history of country music that cannot be seen anywhere else.”

Dolly Parton Takes the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

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Dolly Parton

Kenny Rogers double-dog-dared Dolly and she accepted the challenge! “Kenny, you’ve got to pay extra for the wet t-shirt contest!” – Dolly Nashville, Tenn. (August 28, 2014) – Dolly Parton, who’s usually flooding stadiums with fans around the world, cools off her Summer by taking a dive into the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Dolly was challenged by several people including famous duet partner, Kenny Rogers. His doubted dare sparked her to accept and prove how nothing stands in her way for a good cause. “Kenny said you’ll never do it with your false hair, your false eyelashes, and your false nails,” responds Dolly. “Kenny, you’d be surprised at what all I do with my falses; for a good cause and a good laugh.” Parton drowns down the wigs, nails and lashes with a polar plunge to raise awareness for ALS at her Nashville home while resting after her Blue Smoke World Tour. “Although, I didn’t challenge anyone, I do challenge everybody to make a generous donation like I did!” adds Parton.

Brantley Gilbert Headlining Lakeside Country Bash

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Brantley Gilbert announced as headliner for the annual Lakeside Country Bash fundraising concert in Fort Meyers, FL Saturday December 13th Tickets go on sale Friday, Aug. 22 for the sixth annual Lakeside Country Bash to benefit Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation. The concert features chart-topping country artist Brantley Gilbert and will be held Saturday, Dec. 13 with gates opening at 2 p.m. at Lakes Regional Park. Gilbert earned the Recording Industry Association of America’s gold certification for his third album “Just As I Am” released by Valory Music Group. The album also debuted at No. 1 on Billboard Country Albums Chart, scoring the third highest album debut of the year with over 212,000 copies sold in the first week. Brantley’s latest project has already produced the platinum-certified, No. 1 lead single “Bottoms Up,” and the music video has earned more than 23 million views. Quickly climbing the Country airplay charts, the Top 20-and-rising follow-up, “Small Town Throwdown,” features label mates Justin Moore and Thomas Rhett. Ticket prices are$29.75, $46, $56, $66.00, and $76, and do not include facility fee or service charges. Tickets for the event go on sale Friday, Aug. 22 at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster locations, Ticketmaster outlets and at Ticketmaster.com. To order tickets by phone call 800-745-3000. For more information visit www.lakesidecountrybash.com. Tyler Farr recently released “A Guy Walks into a Bar” the next single off of his upcoming Columbia Nashville LP. The song, written by Melissa Peirce, Jonathan Singleton, and Brad Tursi, hit a chord with the Missouri-born singer, who loved the use of a simple act – walking into a bar – to highlight everything from a relationship’s first exciting meeting to heartbreak. Hailed as a breakout new country male vocalist, Columbia Nashville’s broke through the country and all genre charts last year with debut album, “Redneck Crazy”, which landed at No. 2 on the Country Albums chart and No. 5 on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart and marking the year’s highest entry by a debut male country artist on the all-genre Billboard 200 album sales chart at its debut. Colt Ford is just an unassuming good old country boy from Georgia, a one-time pro golfer turned songwriter and musician who has struck a chord with his growing fan base. On “Thanks for Listening”,his fifth album on his own perfectly named Average Joes Entertainment label, he returns the favor, offering his audience a humble token of his appreciation. With his groundbreaking blend of country music and hip hop rhythms, Ford is a cultural force who is ready to go from cult status to a household name, from the mud trucker events where he started to arena stages, where he’ll next be seen sharing the bill with Toby Keith. Parmalee’s country rock sound has its roots in the bluegrass, traditional country, southern rock and blues covers the guys grew up hearing their families play. Matt and Scott Thomas grew up near Greenville, North Carolina watching their father Jerry front a popular local southern rock blues Continue reading Brantley Gilbert Headlining Lakeside Country Bash→

Brad Paisley – Country Nation – Official Video

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Brad Paisley on Country Music News Blog

It seems while Taylor Swift was busy twerking on Yahoo! Brad Paisley was making his own debut for his new single “Country Nation” on a brand new site that appears to be created/ran by WalMart. You can see the full video below: Besides being surrounded by Walmart ads, and even including Walmart employees in the video, we also learned that Brad Paisley is releasing his new album next Tuesday, August 25th. The album is titled “Moonshine in the Trunk” and I’m pretty sure there’s no twerking in these videos!

Taylor Swift – Shake It Off – Official Video

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Like clockwork, Taylor Swift is back again this fall with a brand new album, and let fans know with a special livestream broadcast today on Yahoo! Music. The livestream featured the release of Shake It Off, and you can see the video in its entirety below. We’re honestly still scratching our heads here at CMNB HQ… we know Taylor has never been pure country at any point in her career, but it seems that with this album, the last remaining twang she held onto is what’s getting “shaken off”.