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.

Colt Ford Releases “Thanks For Listening”

Showcasing his talent as a gifted songwriter and evolution as an artist, Colt Ford’s fifth studio album “Thanks For Listening,” releases on Average Joes Entertainment tomorrow, July 1, 2014. Simultaneously with the album release, Ford has been named NRA Country’s Featured Artist for July. On July 2, Yahoo Music will premiere Ford’s new video, “Dirty Side,” featuring Mattie Breaux from CMT’s popular Party Down South series. Available everywhere music is sold, “Thanks For Listening,” was produced by Shannon “Fat Shan” Houchins, Noah Gordon, Phivestarr Productions and Kevin Kadish. An exclusive version of the album sold at Walmart includes a full-length comic book, “The Average Joes,” which depicts Ford and fellow label mates as superheroes out to save the world. “Thanks For Listening” is the follow-up to Ford’s #1 Billboard country album, “Declaration of Independence.” “This record is a tribute to my fans. I can’t thank them enough for coming out to all the shows, keeping in touch on social media, and generally being supportive of my career,” commented Ford. “I’m very proud of this album, and so glad to have had many of my friends included on the recording as well.” Commenting on the new album, Billboard’s Chuck Dauphin said, “It’s without a doubt the most complete album of his career – with songs that will make you laugh, sing along, roll down the window, pump your fists in the air, and even wipe away a tear.” And Country Weekly said, “When it comes to star power, Colt Ford has it in spades on “Thanks For Listening.” The Albany Herald also praised the new album, saying, “Thanks’ surges from one high to the next.” Album release week kicks off tonight, June 30, with an 9pm ET Twitter Chat with Jessica Northey’s #CMChat, followed by an exclusive live in-studio album premiere on SiriusXM’s “The Highway Channel 59” tomorrow, July 1, 8:00pm ET and 11pm ET. Media appearances and features include Fox 411/Fox News Edge, Fox Entertainment Radio, SiriusXM’s “Freewheelin’” and “The David Webb Show,” SiriusXM’s “The Highway Channel 59” Guest DJ, GAC’s “Headline Country,” “Inside Music Row,” ZUUS, Billboard 615 and more. Ford will also be featured in Rolling Stone Country and on the cover of Country Weekly’s “Nash” magazine in the July 14, 2014 issue. Leading up to the album release, USA Today teased the new CD with an online listen to “She’s Like,” (f/Keith Urban), while Country Weekly also gave fans an online taste with “Washed in the Mud” (f/Randy Houser). NRA Country will likewise stream “Farm Life” (f/Justin Moore) and “Cut ‘Em All” (f/Willie Robertson) this week at NRACountry.com. “Thanks For Listening” is sure to resonate with Colt’s expansive fan base and appeal to new fans alike with its core messages of faith, family and hard work. An impressive line-up of guest artists helped deliver those messages including Keith Urban on “She’s Like,” Randy Houser on the gospel-like song, “Washed In The Mud,” Lee Brice on the coming-of-age “Sip It Slow,” and Jarrod Niemann on the romantic, “Crickets.” Continue reading Colt Ford Releases “Thanks For Listening”→

Casey Donahew Band Lovin Out of Control Video

The Casey Donahew Band – ‘Lovin Out of Control’ – Brand New Video!!! Casey Donahew revs up the engine on a vintage Mustang and lets those horses run in the brand new clip for his latest single, “Lovin’ Out Of Control,” which is already rapidly making its way up the Texas country charts. The tune is a fun-filled romp down memory lane as a man fondly recalls the one who got away with his heart in this modern-day love song. The band has been hard at work on a brand new live CD, due out later this year, and continues to tour heavily throughout the Mid-west and Southwest. Casey will hit the road in September for a Fall tour with Josh Abbott and joins Kevin Fowler in November and December

iHeartRadio Music Award Finalists!

While the iHeartRadio Music Awards cover all genres, it seems country music was pretty light in the fan submissions in this year’s list of award finalists, with only one mention outside of the country music category. Taylor Swift fans (Labeled “Swifties) were nominated as Best Fan Army, while COUNTRY SONG OF THE YEAR finalists include: “Highway Don’t Care” Tim McGraw feat. Taylor Swift “Boys ‘Round Here” Blake Shelton “That’s My Kind of Night” Luke Bryan “Mine Would Be You” Blake Shelton “It Goes Like This” Thomas Rhett The awards will air May 1st at 8/7central on NBC

Jarrod Niemann’s High Noon is a Lowdown Good Time!

Yesterday I was tuned into SiriusXM and caught a brief interview with Jarrod Niemann on The Highway where he discusses the inspiration behind the album “High Noon“. He pointed out that he wrote the whole album out of a frustration with the winter that never seemed to end. I couldn’t agree with that statement more! Spring is finally here, bonfires are lighting and those winter blues are finally lifting, so let’s raise a cup and sing along with Jarrod! Here’s the first track off that album “Drink to that all night”

Official 2014 CMAFest LineUp and Schedule!

Nashville’s BIGGEST festival is coming back THIS June 5th-8th and it looks like it’s going to be one heck of a party. The CMA team has released the official CMAFest Schedule with a complete daily performer lineup, and we’ve got all your details right here on CountryMusicNewsBlog.com! CMAFest lineup in LP Field*: Thursday June 5, 2014 Brantley Gilbert Dierks Bentley Luke Bryan Rascal Flatts Tim McGraw Friday June 6, 2014 Blake Shelton Eric Church Jason Aldean Miranda Lambert The Band Perry Saturday June 7, 2014 Chris Young Darius Rucker Florida Georgia Line Keith Urban Little Big Town Sunday June 8, 2014 Brad Paisley Hunter Hayes Lady Antebellum Thomas Rhett Zac Brown Band *Performers are listed alphabetically. Stage times have not been released.

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood Moving to Nashville

In an interview with CMT Trisha Yearwood recently revealed that she and superstar husband Garth Brooks are planning to move away from Oklahoma and back to Nashville, TN. This comes on the heel of Brooks’ youngest daughter finishing high school and moving off to college in the fall. The empty nesters are gradually getting back into the music scene after taking things relatively easy in the last decade. “I have loved living in Oklahoma,” CMT.com reports Yearwood said. “It’s been a great place to raise our girls, and the thing I’ll miss the most is that I’ve made some of the best friends I’ll ever have. But we’ll always be best friends. “Garth and I have always sort of been gypsies. If you do this for a living, home for us is really just where we are together,” Yearwood told the website. “…There’s an energy about Nashville that I love and I miss. And it’s so awesome right now. It has a new energy that’s so cool. And it makes sense because it’s been a bit of a challenge to not live there and to have to fly in and out for work.”

Blake Shelton 2014 Tour Schedule!

Blake Shelton has FINALLY announced his 2014 Ten Times Crazier Tour dates! “I cannot wait to get back out on the road,” Shelton said. “I had so much fun playing songs from Based on a True Story, and getting to see the crowd’s reaction to those songs was unforgettable. It is one of the most validating things for an artist like me to have people sing along to your songs. … It means what I’m doing is right, and no matter what I’m doing, whether it is The Voice or a TV special, absolutely nothing compares to playing live for me.” The Band Perry, Neal McCoy and Dan + Shay will also appear on the tour. Shelton will donate $1 from each ticket sold to ACM Lifting Lives, the organization’s charitable program. Blake Shelton’s Ten Times Crazier Tour 2014 Dates:

Luke Bryan 2014 Tour Announcement: That’s My Kind of Night 2014

In the smash and grab of everyone trying to push their concert dates out before Garth Brooks has a chance to, Luke Bryan is the latest to release a full tour announcement for 2014. Luke will be continuing his “That’s My Kind Of Night” tour through the spring and summer this year, along with special guests Lee Brice and Cole Swindell. The big change this year is that they will be doing double-night stops in select cities! That means Luke will play 2 nights in a row in some cities!

Tim McGraw Announces 2014 Tour: Sundown Heaven Town!

Hot off the press! Tim McGraw has just announced the details to his 2014 concert tour titled “Sundown Heaven Town“! Fresh off the release of his new single “Lookin for that Girl“, Tim McGraw has given fans the full nitty gritty on his plans for a spring and summer tour, including 30 cities across America as part of Live Nation’s “Megaticket”. There’s no word yet on who will join him on this run of tour dates, but we expect some heavy hitters. Of course this tour will work itself around his already-scheduled dates with country superstar wife, Faith Hill, in Las Vegas. We’ll be updating the tour dates as soon as we get them so check back often! SUNDOWN HEAVEN TOWN 2014 Tour Stops

Hee Haw the Musical is Hitting Broadway Next Spring!

In the most surprising news of the weekend, us pickers and grinners will finally have a great reason to head to New York City! Word just got out that you will soon get to see the classic country television show Hee Haw the Musical on Broadway! Rather than the variety music and sketch comedy we’re used to, it will focus on the story of one particular pair of Hee Haw characters, a wiley sexpot from Kornfield Kounty and her boyfriend whose wedding gets put on hold when she decides she wants to see the world first. The show is being put together by Steve Buchanan, head of Opry Entertainment, with a script by Robert Horn and music by Shane McAnally and Brandy Clark. Many of the original characters made famous from the TV show appear in the musical, including Grandpa Jones, Misty Rowe, Lulu Roman (love her!) and Junior Samples.