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.

Free Sons of Sylvia Tickets

Sons of Sylvia are giving away a free song download, and free tickets to a special Nashville performance! Sons of Sylvia earned a great following while opening for Carrie Underwood, but now they’re really taking off on their own. Get a taste of this new sensation as they put on a free concert! On Wednesday, August 25th, The band will be putting on a free concert at the Exit Inn in Nashville as part of a Vevo.com promotion. Click here to download a pass to the event, but hurry as limited quantities are available. The band is still offering a free download of their single “Love Left to Lose” as part of a campaign with the Schick Hydro line – grab it here and then complete their debut album Revelation on iTunes. Visit SonsofSylvia.com for all the latest news and updates.Country Music Photo Gallery

Hank Williams: The Complete Mother’s Best Recordings

Take an inside listen to the personality of a legend on Hank Williams: The Complete Mother’s Best Recordings….Plus! Long before Hank Williams was a household icon, he was just a simple artist who hosted a sponsored radio show as he made his way through the trials and tribulations of a Nashville artist. During that time, you could find Hank on air peddling his crooning vocals right beside products from the Mother’s Best grain mills. The witty banter, and casual pickin and playing on these recordings humbly reminds us all that one of country music’s greatest legends at one time was still a struggling performer looking for their place in the music industry. I recently got to hear an advanced copy and personally loved the recordings and I believe you will too. Time Life, along with the family of Hank Williams Sr. launches the official website, www.hankwilliamsmothersbest.com to offer fans an exclusive opportunity to pre-order the limited edition, one-of-a-kind box set, Hank Williams: The Complete Mother’s Best Recordings….Plus!. The project can also be pre-ordered by calling, 212-991-5195. The first one hundred pre-orders will be accompanied by a specially designed tee shirt or other memorabilia. In addition to ordering the set, the website will also offer fans the latest news about Hank Williams, exclusive audio and video, notes from Hank Williams Jr. and Jett Williams, box set details and much more. Take a peek: Country Music Photo Gallery

Trace Adkins – Cowboy’s Back In Town

Trace Adkins new album Cowboy’s Back In Town takes a spin on the CMNB Jukebox. Trace Adkins new album “Cowboy’s Back in Town” is set to release tomorrow, but we’ve got your insider’s review of the album right here at Country Music News Blog! Now first let me tell you there’s a few requirements to listening to this album. First, you’ll need to pick up a few cases of beer. Then, you need to call 20 or 30 of your closest friends. Next, y’all drive out to a creekbank on a hot late-summer night. Make sure one of you has a really great sound system in their truck. I think y’all can figure out the rest. Trace’s newest work is exactly what we’ve come to expect from our favorite country giant. Playful, fun, a little sweet, and definitely the soundtrack to a great time. Take a look below as Trace talks about the album with CountryWeekly! Fans can preview the album at CMT or order it from iTunes on my recommendation!

Songwriter George Richey Passes

Songwriter and longtime husband of Tammy Wynette, George Richey, has left us. In a quiet service in Nashville, TN, close friends and family mourned the loss of George Richey. George was buried near his long-time wife, Tammy Wynette, and leaves us with a great legacy of songs recorded by his wife, and George Jones. Read more about George’s life and accomplishments at The Tennesseean.

Neal McCoy and Laura Bell Bundy Support Cancer Research

Neal McCoy heads to Cancun with Laura Bell Bundy and others to provide support for cancer research. Neal McCoy joins with Keith Anderson, Chuck Wicks, Trent Willmon, Wade Hayes, Laura Bell Bundy and Joanna Smith to perform at the 2nd Annual “Country on the Beach” to be held at the Beach Palace Resort in Cancun, Mexico. We work hard on our entertainment and are proud to have Neal McCoy, Keith Anderson, Chuck Wicks, Trent Willmon, Wade Hayes, Laura Bell Bundy and Joanna Smith,” says T.J. Martell Foundation Executive Director Laura Heatherly. “Our adventure will start about sundown on Thursday, November 18 with artist/songwriter entertainment and go way into the wee hours of Friday. Friday will be our first big concert followed by “dualing keyboards” (yes, back by popular demand) plus we are adding “open mic” night too. So those of you looking for your “big break,” what a better place to achieve that. Saturday will be our main concert and finale event with all artists and again…partying until dawn. To book your stay and tickets please go to: http://www.travelininc.com/COTBbook-on-line.html Country Music Photo Gallery

Buck Owens Bakersfield Star

Buck Owens gets a well-deserved star on the Bakersfield Walk of Fame. The Bakersfield Rotary Club has pooled together and donated a star to the Bakersfield Walk of Fame in honor of the legendary Buck Owens. Buck’s sons, Mike and Johnny, his nephew Mel and about 100 people including friends, and employees of the Owens family were there to witness the dedication and to say a few words about the honor. Dad would be proud of this,” said Mike. “Instead of the streets of Bakersfield, it’s more like the sidewalks of Bakersfield.” (Quote via Bakersfield.com) Buck Owens is credited with pioneering what is now known commonly as “The Bakersfield Sound”, mixing a electric guitar into country music with a slight southwestern spin. After 20 chart-topping hits, and a lengthy stint on the cast of the nationally successful show “Hee-Haw”, Buck and his Buckaroos were a well-known household name, and he was a beloved friend to all who knew him. He sadly lost his battle with cancer in 2006, leaving behind a legacy of music, innovation, and laughter.

Thompson Square – Let’s Fight – Video

Thompson Square recently signed on to open for Jason Aldean’s tour, but who are they? This husband and wife duo is a country love song and legacy in the making. Thompson Square consists of Shawna and Keifer, country and rock, sugar and spice. The pair met while working their way through the crazy town of Nashville, trying to find their own way. After years of paying dues and romancing each other like crazy, they stumbled upon the best decision they ever made… to perform together. Now with their debut album “Let’s Fight” they’re performing their way all the way to the top! Check out Thompson Square performing the title track off that debut album: [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyystwcqQjA]Country Music Photo Gallery

Meet Brantley Gilbert

Brantley Gilbert – The south’s best kept secret… until now! Lately the web has been all abuzz over Jason Aldean‘s newest single “My Kind of Party“, but surprisingly the buzz isn’t about Aldean! Fans throughout the southeast are making it known that the song’s writer, Brantley Gilbert, is the one we should really be watching. Trust me fans, we are! In a statement on Brantley’s site, it’s clear that he is enjoying the single’s success every bit as much as Jason Aldean is. I’m proud to see my name attached to Jason’s version and hope you guys feel the same. This is a big step for me as a songwriter and I couldn’t have asked for a better artist to perform the song. After all, he is a Georgia boy! I love how passionate you all are about this song and my music, I just want you to know that this is a good thing. Let’s show support as Jason runs “My Kinda Party” up the charts! This is a great thing for all of us, including you. Thanks again for all your support! Can I get a hell yeah?!!!! Brantley’s blend of country and rock has grabbed more than just Jason Aldean’s interest. Record label’s industry publications, and fans alike are clamoring for more from the “prodigal son” of the south. His sophomore album “Halfway to Heaven” is slowly making it’s way around the nation, and I predict, will be a sudden hit come this fall. Give Brantley Gilbert a try with “Kick it in the Sticks” off the new album “Halfway to Heaven” [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCsyA4DHwHE&feature=player_embedded] For more on Brantley, visit http://brantleygilbert.comCountry Music Photo Gallery

Lionel Richie added to All for the Hall Benefit

Lionel Richie has been added to the All for the Hall Benefit concert line-up! Lionel Richie has confirmed he will perform in September 23rd’s All for the Hall Benefit which will raise funds for the Country Music Hall of Fame. Dozens of stars are gathering in Los Angeles, California next month to host an all-star concert to raise funds for the long-term financial needs of the museum. Other stars on this year’s bill include Taylor Swift, Emmylou Harris, and Kris Kristofferson, as well as a fourth mystery guest. Tickets go on sale this weekend!Country Music Photo Gallery

CMNB Wants YOU – Looking for columnists!

Country Music News Blog wants to publish YOU! Country Music News Blog would like to invite you, our readers, to come test out your writing skills! We are currently looking for columnists who would like to contribute posts to our site. You can write for us one time, or aim for a weekly column. Any person chosen for the weekly column will receive a dedicated featured space on the homepage as well as a writer’s bio on the site. While we don’t pay for news, we do understand the importance of getting published and will give plenty of credit where credit is due. All contributing writers will receive special consideration for the schwaag that comes our way as well (review CD’s, books, DVD’s, etc). Still reading? Good! Here’s what we’re looking for: Something fun and witty to read, that country music fans can relate to. It doesn’t have to be about country music either, although that would be a natural fit. You could also write about cooking tips, parenting techniques, farm life, vehicle maintenance, getting by in these rough economic times… whatever you want! There is no corporate backing or politics that get in the way of simply sharing our love of the country music lifestyle, and we would love for you to share it with us. We’ll be happy to publish any article as long as it at least somewhat relates to the site here. We do have a few simple rules to follow before you send in that article though: 1. Be helpful. Although our editorial staff may post a negative review here and there, we try to stay in the area of constructive criticism so that the artists and readers can get something useful out of it. Teach us something. Show off what you’ve found. 2. Keep it clean. No cussing, adult-natured content, or slander. There might be a kid or a lawyer reading somewhere. 3. Keep it original. If it’s already posted somewhere else, then we won’t post it here. The best you might get is to have the post summarized, and then a link added to the original article for more information. 4. Be patient. Not all articles are right for the site, and we find that out by letting a live human being read through them, check facts, and possibly edit for search engine friendliness before we’ll post it live. This takes time. If you have a specific date you want an article to start running, please include that in your email but we can make no guarantees. 5. No Sales Pitches! You can review a product or service that our readers may be interested in, just know that each submission is read thoroughly and anything deemed as a “sales pitch” will considered a sponsored post. Not sure of the difference between a sponsored post or guest post? Email me and we’ll go over it. Please send all article submissions (including related pictures, links, and possibly MP3’s) to whiskeychick@drunkenhillbilly.com for review.Country Music Photo Gallery