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.

Introducing Austin Boggs

Introducing Austin Boggs, new to Nashville, and new to CMNB! With a smooth voice, wise lyrics, and a strong backing band, it’s hard to believe that Austin Boggs is only 21 years old, and still unsigned! Take a listen to his music, and a look at his story and tell us what you think. For 21 year-old rising star, Austin Boggs, country music has been a part of his life from a very young age. Growing up in a small southwestern Virginia town, he quickly found that writing and singing came easy because of the tradition and heritage of the small town life. His older brother Josh took him to a Ralph Stanley festival at the age of 14; from that moment on Austin knew he wanted to be a performer. Josh recalls Austin’s reaction to this live performance, “I’ll be up there next year.” Less than a year later he began playing on WNVA 106.3 FM during the Local Talent Show, beginning his journey. Marion Levy, founder of Rounder Records, describes him as a young Tony Rice. Austin formed a bluegrass band called the Midnight Ramblers. The name was chosen because it was the only time the guys could get together and practice because they were all still in high school. The Ramblers soon found out that maybe this was going to be more than just earning a little extra money on the weekends as they found themselves playing in every state on the East coast and two International tours. After releasing three bluegrass albums as founder and lead singer for The Midnight Ramblers Austin decided to take the advice of those in the bluegrass music industry and pursue a career in the country music field. In February 2010 he felt the need to be where country music was, so he moved to Nashville. He spent the next few months meeting with songwriters and with producer Sean Gasaway to select songs that represented him as a musician. In August 2010 a seven-song demo will be released. From the first time that I walked into the Ryman at the age of 18 and chills ran down my spine, I knew this is where I belonged and I would sing there some day. This isn’t just a dream of mine but a goal and I will not give up until I succeed. Country Music Photo Gallery

Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?

It’s Country Music week on the hit CMT trivia show, Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader! Josh Turner, Laura Bell Bundy, Craig Morgan, Joe Nichols, and Trailer Choir match their wits against the toughest opponents around… fifth graders! CMT’s favorite quiz show is back for a second season, and starting Monday September 20th it’s all about stumping Music Row as some of Nashville’s finest find themselves in the hot seat. Tune into CMT next week to see who wins this battle! Country Music Photo Gallery

Country Strong Official Site

The movie Country Strong, featuring Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim McGraw, takes to the web. Gwyneth Paltrow and country sensation Tim McGraw are set to release Country Strong to theaters January 7th, but for fans who can’t wait that long, hop over to CountrySongTheMovie.com for advanced trailers and movie details today. The movie itself follows a fictitious country starlet who gets into trouble, into rehab, into love and back on top. Sounds to me like the plot fits the title just perfect!

Coal Miners Daughter – Listen Here!

Loretta Lynn, Miranda Lambert, and Sheryl Crow team up for this re-release of the hit song Coal Miner’s Daughter. How the time does fly! Forty years since Loretta Lynn’s career-defining song “Coal Miner’s Daughter” released, she shakes things up in country music by inviting Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert to perform on her own tribute album. Take a listen, courtesy of Billboard.com “Coal Miner’s Daughter” by Loretta Lynn by billboard The new version of “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” which will be available as a digital single on Sept. 28, is the centerpiece of the upcoming Nov. 9 Columbia album, “Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Tribute To Loretta Lynn”

Alan Jackson Announces 2010 Fall Tour

Alan Jackson has announced that he will be touring this fall with The Band Perry and Chris Young. Alan Jackson will be bringing along pals Chris Young, and The Band Perry on a nationwide tour this fall. The tour launches November 4th and is scheduled as follows: Alan Jackson Tour Dates: 09.23.2010 Springfield, MO JQH Arena 09.24.2010 Rockford, IL MetroCentre 09.25.2010 Hinckley, MN Grand Casino Hinckley 09.28.2010 Minot, ND Norsk Hostfest (7 p.m. show) 09.29.2010 Minot, ND Norsk Hostfest (1 p.m. show) 09.30.2010 Sioux City, IA Tyson Event Center 10.05.2010 Nashville, TN All for the Hall/Bridgestone Arena 11.04.2010 Sacramento, CA Arco Arena 11.05.2010 Los Angeles, CA Nokia Theater 11.06.2010 Las Vegas, NV Thomas & Mack Center 11.11.2010 Hidalgo, TX State Farm Center 11.12.2010 Cedar Park, TX Cedar Park Center 11.13.2010 Kinder, LA The Pavillion at Coushatta 11.18.2010 North Charleston, SC North Charleston Coliseum 11.19.2010 Winston-Salem, NC LJV Memorial Coliseum 11.20.2010 Cincinnati, OH US Bank Arena Alan Jackson Tour Tickets.

Taylor Swift – Innocent – Video

Taylor Swift turns disrespect into opportunity at the 2010 VMA’s with her performance of Innocent. Taylor Swift cemented herself in the hearts of fans worldwide as their poor little darling after the notorious Kanye West interruption on last year’s MTV Video Music Awards. But now it seems that rude disruption has become an opportunity for Taylor as she debuts her new song “Innocent” on last night’s award show. The song is clearly targeted towards Kanye with an introductory clip showing his burst onto the stage last year, and lyrics like “32 and still growing up”. The song is off her new album “Speak Now” and is an obvious message of forgiveness and acceptance, which are both good sentiments. 2010 MTV Video Music Awards – More VMA Video Good for Taylor, now can we put all this “I’mma let you finish” in the past?Country Music Photo Gallery

Jamey Johnson – The Guitar Song – Reviews

Jamey Johnson’s double-disc album The Guitar Song is out tomorrow! Jamey Johnson‘s new album, “The Guitar Song“, comes out tomorrow! I know I’m excited about the release and completely in love with this 2-disc collection of authentic country music, but let’s see what the “big critics” have to say about it! Spin.com: The Guitar Song is structured as an uplifting journey from rot to redemption, Johnson still moves through these 25 tunes with an audible snarl. The9513.com: It’s symptomatic of Johnson’s genius that his more upbeat fare is just as compelling as his hard luck stories and tales of shattered love, a trick few artists can pull off… there are no weak spots, not one track that cries out to be jettisoned. The Wall Street Journal: It’s a stunning, varied and far-reaching set of 25 hardcore country songs, sonically and thematically integrated into a musical journey designed to be experienced, optimally, in sequence… The result mixes the spontaneity of live performance with crisp studio sound. Now who am I to argue with these guys? You can buy the album in stores, or grab it from digital retailers and see for yourself! More albums releasing on September 14th: Joey + Rory – Album Number Two (Sugar Hill) Robert Plant – Band of Joy (Rounder) Justin Townes Earle – Harlem River Blues (Blood) The SteelDrivers – Reckless (Rounder) Mollie O’Brien and Rich Moore – Saints & Sinners (Remington Road Records / Virtual) James Otto – Shake What God Gave Ya (Warner)Country Music Photo Gallery

Happy Birthday Joe Don Rooney!

Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts is celebrating a birthday today! Country Music News Blog wants to wish the ever-talented lead guitarist, Joe Don Rooney a big ole’ HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We’re sure he’s a happy man today after just celebrating the birth of his second child, daughter Raquel Blue, last week. Stay tuned to CMNB for more country music news and updates!Country Music Photo Gallery

Zac Brown Band – As She’s Walking Away – Official Video

Zac Brown Band reminds you it’s never too late to say how you feel. Zac Brown Band is ready for their new album “You Get What You Give” to hit store shelves September 21st, and just to wet your appetite, here’s the official video for the first single, “As She’s Walking Away” with special guest Alan Jackson. Zac Brown Band   More CMT Music   More CMT Music Videos Country Music Photo Gallery

The Judds to Help Close Oprah’s Last Season

Naomi and Wynonna Judd help Oprah kick off her final season on Daytime TV. As Oprah begins her 25th and final season on daytime TV, a few old friends come out to help her celebrate. Wynonna and Naomi are slated for Tuesday’s “Oprah” show, according to The Chicago Tribune, with Wy discussing her loss of a staggering 60 pounds. The edition was taped Sept. 3, according to a tweet from executive producer Sheri Salata, and the Judds talk a bit about what fans can expect with the Last Encore. The tour doesn’t kick off until Nov. 26, but they gave a 45-minute preview of it to launch the CMA Music Festival in June. The duo’s classic songs sounded basically the same, but they’ve been given different sonic textures. And that’s by design. “Some families do stay stuck in this ‘I remember you when you were this tall’ [nostalgia],” Wy says. “Well, I’m not this tall anymore. I’m not 18. I have two children, divorce, close to death — I’ve had all these experiences. I’m not the same person I was. So they need to see us where we are today. It’s why I’m doing ‘Oprah.’” The tour should be one of the most-talked-about events in country music during the holiday season, and it ends in Phoenix — the same city where they staged their millennium reunion concert on the final day of 1999. In the meantime, Wy put together a campaign of her own with Cracker Barrel. The stores are selling her 12-track album Love Heals. Also available: Wynonna sunglasses, a Wynonna journal and a Wynonna cosmetic bag. One other Wynonna-related item to look for this fall: the Christmas On Highway 101 DVD. Highway 101 racked up numerous awards during the 1980s, and the band shot the live holiday set in Concord, N.C. It’s slated for release Nov. 9, and Wy makes a special guest appearance.Country Music Photo Gallery