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.

CMNB Is Seeing Red and You Should Too!

Posted on by

Country Music News Blog is seeing red, and we want you too as well! In light of the disastrous tornadoes that struck right near our headquarters here at Country Music News Blog, we URGE every one of our readers to find a way to help the victims of this and other disasters! Last night another deadly tornado violently ripped through the town of Joplin, Missouri, just one hour north of our offices, and the death toll is at 96 and rising. The storm system left a path of destruction over half a mile wide and six miles long, hitting St John’s hospital as well as hundreds of residential homes and businesses. Emergency crews and The American Red Cross are set up all through the town and using their limited resources to treat, shelter, and feed the victims of this deadly tornado, and they just got word that more storms of equal strength are expected tonight and tomorrow. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApsSVASq5hg] How do they manage? How do they sit through one storm and another and another, saving lives, comforting families, and protecting those who are unable to protect themselves? WITH YOUR HELP! We URGE you to TAKE ACTION! Donate your time, your money, your belongings, your blood, your skills, and your voice! We ALL have something we can spare! Visit http://www.redcross.org or call your local chapter to find out how you can help!

Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton Wedding Pictures!

Posted on by

Can’t wait to see Miranda Lambert’s wedding dress, the cake, or the handsome groom in pictures? Neither can we! The pictures from Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton‘s Saturday night wedding are still trickling in, with this first shot coming out in this preview from Us Weekly. I absolutely LOVE Miranda’s dress and think she looks WONDERFUL! The photographer they hired had this to say on his blog: “Blake & Miranda’s wedding images will be published in Us Weekly magazine coming later this week. I have to say that Miranda & Blake’s wedding images are really beautiful. One big reason they have great wedding photographs besides their genuine down to earth personalities which made my time behind my camera easy, was the fact that they cared more about great wedding photography, then old traditions. They took my advice and saw each other before the wedding and took all their photos before their nuptials, so after they said “I DO” and walked down the aisle, they could go do whatever they wanted, instead of spending time taking photographs. Spending time alone or spending more time with your guests is a smarter choice, especially when your normal human reaction after you kiss and travel down the aisle is “Let’s go party and be with our friends and family” A wedding is a celebration and when the months of planning are over, It’s time to PLAY! “- Robert Evans, Photographer We promise as the pictures come out we’ll have em for you here… right here… right in this very spot! For now let’s enjoy some blurry paparazzi shots from the British Daily Mail. We just got the dish on the newlyweds bling. Both Blake and Miranda’s rings were custom made by Beverly Hills jeweler Johnathon Arndt who also handcrafted Carrie Underwoods’ engagement ring and wedding band. Miranda’s ring is a 5-carat white diamond eternity ring, and Blake’s ring features a black diamond mounted on the inside (a detail specifically requested by Miranda) and a hand engraving based on one of Shelton’s tattoos. For the reception, Miranda changed into a strapless silk dress from Priscilla of Boston… my guess is this design right here. Stay tuned for more details!

Bob Wayne – Driven By Demons – Video

Posted on by

Take a drive on the wild side with Bob Wayne in his new video, Driven By Demons. I’ve been a fan of Bob Wayne‘s for quite a few years, watching him in small clubs in Phoenix, and now again in Fayetteville, and I think I’ve loved just about everything he’s put out so far. Now he’s got this new video for his song “Driven By Demons” and I have to say he’s completely outdone himself! Keep it comin Bob! [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tkx3FtNytc] Cheers! ~WC~

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert Wedding Details

Posted on by

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert are tying the knot TODAY! After much excited anticipation, word has finally come out that Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert‘s wedding will be held today at an undisclosed location in Texas. More details, pictures and tasty tidbits will be added to this announcement as they come to light. Here’s what we know so far: The wedding was held at Don Strange Ranch near Boerne, Texas, a community located approximately 45 minutes from San Antonio Blake will be wearing a sharp coat, blue jeans and cowboy boots. Miranda will be wearing her mother’s wedding dress. Miranda has been on an all meat and veggie diet to prepare for the dress… no potatoes or mayo here! Miranda’s ring is platinum and diamonds. Dierks Bentley will be in attendance as he just facebooked “adios jägermeister country tour. me and the boys had a blast. one last pic. headed to a wedding. see ya! “. Reba and husband Narvel will also be in attendance as well as Martina McBride, the Bellamy Brothers, Charles Kelley and CeeLo Green. Neal McCoy will be performing at the reception. Miranda’s bachelorette party was held at the Kentucky Derby, while Blake opted for an all-guy camping trip. Venison will be served at the reception, and rumor has it, Miranda hunted the deer herself. There was a total of 550 guests No word yet on the planned honeymoon location, but Blake will be back on stage with Reba in just ten short days for the disaster relief concert benefiting Oklahoma tornado victims.

Osage Creek Amphitheater in NW Arkansas

Posted on by

CMNB would like to welcome the new Osage Creek Amphitheater to Northwest Arkansas! While the brand new Osage Creek Amphitheater is still under construction, the buzz around the new 15,000+ capacity music venue is so loud it’s making my ears ring! This outdoor amphitheater, nestled in the base of the Ozark foothills near Springdale, Arkansas, is the most well-thought-out state of the art venues our staff here has EVER seen, and coming from us, that says a lot! Greg Smith, the owner, operator, and lifeblood behind the venue’s construction has taken the time to consider every single aspect from fan experience all the way to stagehands convenience. Here are some of the nitty gritty dirty details on what I think will be the best summer music venue in our region! Facts about the Osage Creek Amphitheater: For the fans: The Osage Creek Amphitheater is absolutely enormous, seating almost as many people as BOK center, and far more than any other music venue in the area. Seating capacity can vary depending on the type of concert/festival, but in general it breaks down as follows: 150 VIP Seats 650 Orchestra (pit) Seats 1600 Terrace Seats 3500 Bleacher Seats 6,000 to 10,000 Lawn Capacity Osage Creek Amphitheater Seating Chart The amphitheater is located just 3 miles north of highway 412, making it convenient to residents of Fayetteville, Tulsa, Ft. Smith, Rogers, Springdale, Kansas City, Little Rock, and all the smaller surrounding towns. With many hotel and dining options in nearby Siloam Springs and Springdale, it’s easy to find lodging and services for those that are traveling a little further to see their favorite artists. They’re also just 20 minutes away from the XNA airport, adding even more convenience! Now let’s talk VIP – During our discussions about the venue, Greg made it a clear point that if you’re going to pay for VIP tickets, you’re going to need some VIP perks, and boy did he deliver! Besides best-in-house seating, the venue also features closer VIP parking, VIP concessions, VIP restroom facilities, and even a special mezzanine level which is ON STAGE so you don’t miss a single detail of the show! Don’t have the cash for VIP? Don’t worry, because Greg has made sure the venue was designed with convenience and show experience in mind. With concessions conveniently placed between seating levels, you don’t have to miss part of the show by waiting in line somewhere in the back 40. They’ve also worked in the perfect angles for all the seating, and even a 70 foot high stage opening so the highest seats still have a close and clear view of all the action! And speaking of seas, did I mention they’re bringing in the same style seats that are being used in the top-of-the-line Dallas Cowboys stadium? To top it all off, the amphitheater is being built in a natural bowl shape in the land, surrounded by beautiful rock bluffs, creeks, trees, and the best views in all creation. The icing on Continue reading Osage Creek Amphitheater in NW Arkansas→

Farewell to The9513. com

Posted on by

The9513.com, the web’s absolute BEST resource for country music journalism, has announced that they are hanging up the hat. It is with a sad heart that we say goodbye to The9513.com today. For years their site has been an inspiration for the work we do here, and an amazing resource for in depth information on artists who are otherwise unjustly overlooked by mainstream media. I have enjoyed the wit and humor, as well as the extreme thoroughness with which their team has covered this industry, and can only hope that our own site can hold a candle up to that bonfire of quality. Please, if you value intelligent and diverse coverage of country music, stop by their goodbye post and wish them well in their future endeavors. I know I will. Cheers, ~WC~

LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian Married!

Posted on by

LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian tie the knot in a surprise ceremony. LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian have taken a lot of heat for their whirlwhind romance, which budded while both were still married to their own respected partners. Yesterday’s surprise wedding have many coming to realize this was more than a 7-year-itch fling. Friends and family in attendance had been told the event would be an engagement party and found out about the ceremony after they arrived. Eddie’s children from his previous marriage were also in attendance. The couple, who became engaged in December, met while filming Northern Lights, a made-for-TV movie. After rumors of their romantic relationship surfaced in 2009, Cibrian filed for divorce from his wife, model Brandi Glanville. Rimes and her husband, Dean Sheremet, filed divorce documents a short time later. They were married for seven years. What’s your opinion: Selfish homewreckers, or entitled to new/true love?

Win a Country Strong DVD Prize Pack from CMNB!

Posted on by

Win a Country Strong DVD, Soundtrack and T-Shirt from Country Music News Blog! Country Strong, featuring Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim McGraw, hits store shelves April 12th, and we’ve got your copy here! We’re giving away a Country Strong Prize Pack which includes the movie on DVD, the Original Soundtrack, and a T-Shirt to one lucky subscriber! Just make sure you are signed up for our weekly country music newsletter and you’re automatically entered to win! * Prize provided by Mammoth PR. * Entries must be received by Sunday April 10th. * Winners will not be eligible for another prize drawing until 90 days after this one. * 1 Winner will be drawn Sunday April 10th from ALL email subscribers with a valid shipping address. Can’t wait to win it? Pre-Order Country Strong on Amazon.com today !