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.

No Justice debuts 2nd Avenue!

No Justice is back with a vengeance, releasing their fourth studio album to HUGE critical acclaim! Through the course of their first three albums, No Justice manage to take both the Oklahoma and Texas country music scenes by storm. Now with the release of their 4th studio album, (and noteably their debut on Carved Records) the rest of the world is hearing what we here in Oklahoma already knew: That No Justice is here to stay. Not your ordinary twang band, No Justice has a long history of blending well between the traditional country, red dirt, rock and even punk crowds. The title track off “2nd Avenue” is a great example of how diverse both their influences and talent are. Take a listen and let us know what you think! If you like that, you can head right over to iTunes and show these boys your support right now! Download 2nd AvenueCountry Music Photo Gallery

Laura Bell Bundy talks Cooter?

Laura Bell Bundy shocks and awes with the colorful characters from her own Cooter Country Just when you think you’ve seen it all, Laura Bell Bundy is there to surprise you once more. Check out this interview on GACTV where she goes into detail about her very own “Cooter Country”. Oh my! [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm3NtSt7ezo] I don’t know about you, but to me it looks like this girl’s days on the Wicked stage have given her a LOT of time to come up with crazy characters!Country Music Photo Gallery

Loretta Lynn To Be Honored By Recording Academy

The Coal Miner’s Daughter herself, Miss Loretta Lynn, will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award Continuing the tradition of celebrating musical excellence 365 days of the year, The Recording Academy® will host GRAMMY Salute To Country Music honoring Loretta Lynn, presented by MasterCard®. In its sophomore year, the event will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010 at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. The star-studded tribute will feature performances by some of Nashville’s finest artists and will include a special presentation of The Recording Academy President’s Merit Award to three-time GRAMMY® winner and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Lynn in honor of her dynamic career and contributions to country music.Country Music Photo Gallery

Ryan Bingham Covers Otis Redding

Ryan Bingham puts his twist on an Otis Redding favorite Fresh off the success of his award-winning soundtrack for Crazy Heart, artist Ryan Bingham partners with the Levi’s® brand to bring you soulful covers of influential songs. Levi’s Pioneer Sessions: The Revival Recordings Release Final Track Featuring Ryan Bingham Covering “That’s How Strong My Love Is” by Otis Redding. You can download the free track here: http://www.levispioneersessions.com/artists/ryan-bingham/ From now through the first of July, The “Levi’s® Pioneer Sessions: The Revival Recordings” series will feature the release of two singles each week by an exciting score of bands that includes: ARTIST – SONG Nas – “Hey Young World” by Slick Rick The Swell Season – “Young Hearts Run Free” by Candi Staton She & Him – “Fools Rush In” by Rick Nelson Dirty Projectors – “I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine” by Bob Dylan Colbie Caillat – “Maria” by Blondie The Shins – “Goodbye Girl” by Squeeze Bomba Estereo – “Pump Up the Jam” by Technotronic Jason Mraz – “Spirit in the Sky” by Norman Greenbaum Raphael Saadiq – “It’s A Shame” by The Spinners Passion Pit – “Tonight, Tonight” by Smashing Pumpkins John Legend and the Roots – “Our Generation” by Ernie Hines The Kills – “Pale Blue Eyes” by The Velvet Underground Ryan Bingham – “That’s How Strong My Love Is” by Otis Redding Details regarding the remaining artists who are going to complete the current roster of releases will be announced in the weeks to come. In addition to the new original remakes, the Levi’s® brand will also release exclusive photos, interviews with the artists, and behind-the-scenes footage from their studio recording session, all available for download at www.levi.com.Country Music Photo Gallery

Carrie Underwood Parties in Vegas

Bride-to-Be celebrates bachelorette-style in Vegas this past weekend Wedding bells are even closer than we thought as rumor has it Carrie Underwood spend the last weekend in Vegas with her girlfriends, partying it up bachelorette-style. Complete with feather boa and bride-to-be sash, Carrie and friends lit up the night, and relaxed the day away with shopping, spa treatments, and of course, frosty beverages. With all that celebration one can only guess that the wedding date is just around the corner!Country Music Photo Gallery

Vince Gill, Amy Grant Announce 11-City Christmas Tour

Like many country music traditions, Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without Vince Gill and Amy Grant. Vince Gill and Amy Grant will debut their 11-city Christmas With Amy & Vince tour on Dec. 8 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota, Fla. It will conclude Dec. 21 and 22 with two shows at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Each show will run two hours and include both Christmas standards and newer holiday songs. Other dates include: King Center for the Performing Arts, Melbourne, Fla. (Dec. 9) Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Fort Myers, Fla. (Dec. 10) Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, Fla. (Dec. 11) Peace Center for the Performing Arts, Greenville, S.C. (Dec. 13) Durham Performing Arts Center, Durham, N.C. (Dec. 14) Crown Theatre, Fayetteville, N.C. (Dec. 17) War Memorial Auditorium, Greensboro, N.C. (Dec. 18) Cabarrus Arena, Concord, N.C. (Dec. 19) Fox Theatre, Atlanta (Dec. 20).Country Music Photo Gallery

Reckless Kelly Donates to Texas Youth Baseball

Reckless Kelly band members present 4 Texas Youth Baseball teams with a total of $35,000! Members of root-rock band Reckless Kelly were again on the field at Round Rock’s Dell Diamond on June 30 before the Express-Iowa Cubs game to celebrate all-American music, baseball and kids — with checks totaling $30,000 to The Miracle League at Town & Country and South Austin Little League from their first Reckless Kelly Celebrity Softball Jam held there in April. Reckless Kelly instrumentalist Cody Braun — with front man Willy Braun and drummer Jay Nazz — made the check presentation and has said, “We would like to thank the Ryan family and everyone with the Round Rock Express for hosting the Celebrity Softball Jam. We also say thank you to the artists, celebrities and sponsors that donated their time and talent. Plus a big thank you to all the fans for supporting these great charities and making our first year such a huge success. We will see you next year.” Reid Ryan, president and CEO of Ryan Sanders Baseball Inc., owner of the Round Rock Express and Corpus Christi Hooks, said, “The Celebrity Softball Jam is just our kind of event, bridging baseball and music in support of great groups like these. The Dell Diamond is a versatile venue dedicated to affordable, family fun.” Steve Brown, president of The Miracle League at Town & Country, accepted the first check, for $15,000. “We say that every child deserves a chance to play baseball, and now we can give that joy to more children,” he said. “Thank you, Reckless Kelly.” With him was Miracle League player Logan Garner. “The idea for the Jam originated,” Cody Braun said, “when a few of us were watching a ball game at the Dell Diamond, and we’re thrilled at how this has come together. We expect this to be a fun, family-oriented event that can grow over the years and help out some great charities in Austin and beyond.” South Austin Little League Board Member and coach Patrick Nichols also accepted a check for $15,000 with his son, South Austin Little Leaguer Jay Nichols.Country Music Photo Gallery

Lady Antebellum at the Carnival

Join Lady Antebellum at the carnival in this behind-the-scenes footage! In this week’s Webisode Wednesday, Lady Antebellum takes you behind the scenes on the set of their new music video for “Our Kind Of Love”. Watch the gang as they make the most of this roller-coaster ride! [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT8E5hlEJ4U] Country Music Photo Gallery

Brad Paisley, Jarrod Nieman, and Lee Brice front Aquapalooza 2010

Brad Paisley and friends help get fans all wet, headlining Aquapalooza 2010! Brad Paisley will be joined by Jerrod Niemann, Lee Brice and new artists Joanna Smith and Matt Stillwell on July 10 during the signature event of AquaPalooza 2010 at the Reserve at Lake Travis, near Austin, Texas. The free concert will be open to fans who can watch the show from their boats. Niemann’s current single is “Lover, Lover,” while rice’s latest hit is “Love Like Crazy.” Smith is a regular performer at Tootsie’s in downtown Nashville and has igned to Columbia Nashville. Stillwell’s singles include “Shine” and “Rain.” Country Music Photo Gallery