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.

Reckless Kelly: Somewhere In Time

Reckless Kelly will release their seventh studio album SOMEWHERE IN TIME tomorrow, Tues., Feb. 9. Reckless Kelly is quickly gaining ground in mainstream country radio, but they are certainly not newcomers! On the eve of their seventh studio album critics and fans are rallying to support their favorite newfound classics! Billboard praised Reckless Kelly as “a group that has the chutzpah and chops to properly honor Idaho singer/songwriter Pinto Bennett.” Currently gracing the cover of Best In Texas magazine where SOMEWHERE IN TIME is called “classic Reckless, songs about cowboys, lovin’, cheatin’ and drinking.” Best In Texas continues by saying TIME “features Willy Braun’s well-aged-scotch and honey voice, along with guitar and fiddle-driven swing.” Best of Texas spotlights Reckless Kelly in Eavesdropping Texas where the band is praised for creating “a record that might be their most honest and true work to date.” Additional reviewers like Country Weekly are also raving, “the Texas roots-rockers manage to pay an admirable musical tribute to the songs of Idaho cult favorite Pinto Bennett and his Famous Motel Cowboys while infusing them with fresh touches of Texas twang and Western swing.” Praise from reviewers and fans predict SOMEWHERE IN TIME may be the band’s best record yet. On SOMEWHERE IN TIME, the band digs deep into its roots, revisiting the music of Pinto Bennett, who with his band the Famous Motel Cowboys influenced a generation of musicians in the Northwest and served as a mentor and idol to Willy and his brother Cody, whose fiddle, mandolin, harmonica and vocal work help propel Reckless Kelly. In the company of their bandmates, David Abeyta on lead guitar and mandolin, Jay Nazz on drums, and Chris Schelske on bass, they explore their country influences and re-introduce Bennett’s music to a new generation of fans while placing their indelible, rock-edged stamp on it. That new generation of fans includes audiences participating in the band’s Feb. 8-12th Listening Party on AOL’s The Boot. “While this is Pinto’s material, this is very much a Reckless Kelly record. It’s simply a bunch of great songs we thought people should hear,” explains Cody. “A lot of Texas bands have been pushing country more toward rock,” says Jay, “but to go back to playing real country music turned out to be extremely rewarding for us as a band.” “It’s not too far a departure from what we’ve done in the past,” adds Willy. After nearly a year of recording the 12 track self-produced disc, the Austin, TX-based band will hit the road for a slew of in-store visits, radio appearances, and shows—including a performance at Terminal 5 in New York’s Midtown on Saturday, February 27th. Reckless Kelly is currently touring in support of their single, “Best Forever Yet,” that entered the Americana chart at #33 and is the first radio release from TIME. You can preview the single at http://www.ebmediapr.com/reckless-kelly-single.html. Fans can follow Reckless Kelly on tour and as they prepare to launch SOMEWHERE IN TIME at www.recklesskelly.com or on Twitter at @RecklessKelly.Country Continue reading Reckless Kelly: Somewhere In Time

Zac Brown Band will headline the 2010 Moondance Jammin Country Fest

Zac Brown Band called on to headline the 2010 Moondance Jammin Country Fest in Walker, MN Zac Brown Band has been tabbed as the closing night headliner for this year’s Moondance Jammin’ Country Fest, which will take place June 17-19, 2010 in Walker, Minnesota. Tickets are now available in a variety of packages. Concert goers can purchase Rockstar All Access, three-day V.I.P, three-day general admission and single day admission, as well as camping sites and parking passes by contacting the Jam office in Walker. At the festival, general admission tickets get you front row access-there is no VIP in-front seating in Walker. An official announcement concerning the entire festival line-up is due sometime later this month. Expect 15 bands to play the main stage over three days and many more side stage acts to be added in the coming months. Moondance Jammin’ Country Fest has been held at the same site as The Moondance Jam in Walker since 2007. This year marks the fourth year of the festival, which was started by resident Bill Bieloh. The events help bring thousands of music fans to the Walker area every summer. Situated on a large, beautiful piece of land near a huge lake located three hours northwest of Minneapolis, the site houses thousands of campers during the festivals, and has been cited by many as to why they return year after year to Walker for the shows.Country Music Photo Gallery

Josh Turner goes Haywire Tomorrow Morning!

Just a reminder folks, Josh Turner’s brand new album “Haywire” releases tomorrow morning! Josh Turner is already climbing the charts with his hit “Why Don’t We Just Dance”, and I can tell you the rest of the album is just as great! From start to finish it is solid, emotional, and just absolute vocal perfection! I just can’t get enough of that booming bass boy and I bet neither can you! Have a little fun with this behind the scenes clip and make sure you run out and grab that album first thing in the morning before all your neighbors beat ya to it! [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxdsxFieqmQ&feature=player_embedded]Country Music Photo Gallery

Sugarland – Incredible Machine Tour 2010

Sugarland’s appropriately named Incredible Machine tour kicks off early this spring! Sugarland will kick off their 2010 North American tour, The Incredible Machine on April 23rd in Primm, NV and travel to over 55 cities nationwide. “This new tour is a thrill for me,” said Jennifer Nettles. “It will reflect our latest writing and surprises to come for the new record, the hits that our fans love, along with the production value that people have come to trust and expect from our live shows.” “Don’t come if you expect to sit on your ass the whole show. You won’t be able to. It’s a whole, new, rhythmic, emotional, visual, fun, incredible, experience machine.” Sugarland Tour 2010 Stops: Primm, NV-4/23                                                               Cooperstown, NY Lake Tahoe, NV                                                                                Canadiagua, NY Scranton, PA                                                                      Saratoga, NY Huntington, WV                                                               Twin Lakes, WI-7/23 Indio, CA                                                                              Eau Claire, WI-7/24 Santa Barbara, CA                                                      Kansas City, MO Concord, CA                                                                       Cheyenne, WY-7/30 Bakersfield, CA                                                                 Minot, ND-7/31 Murphy’s, CA                                                                    Raleigh, NC Los Angeles, CA                                                                                Charlotte, NC Phoenix, AZ                                                                       St. Louis, MO Albuquerque, NM                                                     Houston, TX Bossier City, LA                                                                 Dallas, TX Detroit, MI                                                                          Sioux Falls, SD Nampa, ID-5/6                                                                  Boston, MA Orange Beach, AL                                                            London, Ontario Pelham, AL                                                                         Toronto, Ontario Salt Lake City, UT                                                              Oklahoma City, OK Colorado Springs, CO                                                      Southaven, MS Burgettstown, PA                                                            Cleveland, OH State College, PA                                                             Cincinnati, OH Camden, NJ                                                                        Louisville, KY-8/19 Holmdel, NJ                                                                        Alpharetta, GA Gilford, NH                                                                         Indianapolis, IN-8/20 Columbia, MD                                                                   Des Moines, IA West Palm Beach, FL                                                      Charlottesville, VACountry Music Photo Gallery

Grand Ole Opry Goes Home!

After a three month run at the Ryman, The Grand Ole Opry will return to its’ rightful home tonight! The Grand Ole Opry® presented by Humana® will return to the Grand Ole Opry House after a three-month run at the historic Ryman Auditorium tonight. Scheduled to appear this weekend are Opry members Josh Turner and Bill Anderson as well as special guests including Keith Anderson, Grammy® winners The Oak Ridge Boys and Sandi Patty, Chris Young and more. In celebration of the Opry’s first night back at the Opry House, the Opry and Turner are launching the first sweepstakes on MyOpry, opry.com’s video and photo sharing site. Inspired by Turner’s current hit single “Why Don’t We Just Dance” from his album HAYWIRE due in stores Feb. 9, fans can upload videos of themselves dancing to the single to MyOpry.com for a chance to meet Turner at the Opry later this year. Fans who upload videos will be entered in the contest, and their dance moves will be posted online. Later this spring, fans will be able to vote for their favorite dancer/s from among six finalists, and one winner will receive a trip to Nashville including accommodations at Gaylord Opryland Resort, tickets to the Opry, the chance to meet Turner, and more. Among the artists scheduled to make Opry appearances later in February are Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Jewel, Miranda Lambert, Craig Morgan, Blake Shelton, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Mel Tillis, and Steve Wariner. Opry performances are held every weekend of the year and on Tuesdays beginning March 2. To plan an Opry visit, call (800) SEE-OPRY or log on to opry.com. Turner’s album is available for pre-order at www.JoshTurner.com and at http://awe.sm/43SD4Country Music Photo Gallery

Meet The Band Perry

CMNB would like you to get to know more about The Band Perry: Three Perry siblings, Neil, Kimberly, and Reid may have spent years writing songs and singing together, but it was only after committing to being a real band together that success started to take shape. After catching the ears of label-execs at Republic Nashville, The Band Perry was rushed into the studio to record and release the current hit “Hip To My Heart“. Get to know how they all got started in music and what inspires The Band Perry to push forward and stand out in this little snippet: [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqrHQaSSw8c] Find out more about The Band Perry at their official site: www.thebandperry.comCountry Music Photo Gallery

Joe Nichols Valentine’s Prize Pack

Win a Joe Nichols Valentine’s Prize Pack via Twitter! Joe Nichols is giving fans a chance to win a Valentine’s Day prize pack and a VIP Joe Nichols experience for tweeting about their girl this Valentine’s Day Fans can @ reply Joe Nichols on Twitter and tell him about the girl that they like best. ” @JoeNichols Gimmie That Girl that ____. ”  Click here to add your entry! Just for fun, feel free to come back here and tell us your entry! The Joe Nichols Valentine’s Day prize pack will include his and hers Joe Nichols gear and an exclusive “Believers” bracelet and koozie. Joe will pick one winner per day February 1st through the 10th. One lucky grand prize winner will receive a special Joe Nichols VIP experience including a pair of tickets and hangout time backstage with Joe at the show of your choice, good for up to a year! For more info: http://bit.ly/gimmiethatgirlthatCountry Music Photo Gallery

Spring Break with Luke Bryan!

Win party crash pad and concert tickets to see Luke Bryan in Panama City, FL over spring break! Luke Bryan is heading to SPRING BREAK in Panama City, FL the first week of March and he wants to hook you up with a hotel room for one week in Panama City, FL and tickets to see him in Concert! Visit www.facebook.com/lukebryan and upload your best WILD WEEKEND, HANGOVER, SPRING BREAK OR PARTY pictures to the contest tab to win . Submit as many pictures as you want. The more you enter, the more chances you have to win. Once your picture is posted, just vote for it! Be sure to have your friends vote too! The picture with the most votes on Feb 19th WINS! Also be on the lookout for the upcoming Spring Break EP on iTunes!Country Music Photo Gallery

David Nail’s Path to Success: Turning Home

David Nail finds success as his latest single “Turning Home” rises to the top of the radio airplay rotation. Newcomer David Nail‘s third and latest single “Turning Home”, written by Kenny Chesney and Scooter Carusoe and from his debut album I’m About To Come Alive, was released last week. It garnered 35 first-week stations’ support, which made it the #1 most-added single on the Mediabase/Country Aircheck and Billboard charts. “Home” continues in growth this week with 23 more adds. Click here to hear it: www.davidnail.com, and here to purchase it: http://awe.sm/50VWX.Country Music Photo Gallery

Country Throwdown Tour Featuring Montgomery Gentry

Montgomery Gentry has been announced as the headlining act for the 2010 Country Throwdown Tour along with openers Ashley Ray, Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town, Eric Church and The Eli Young Band. The 2010 Country Throwdown lineup has been announced! The same team that brought rock & roll fans the Vans Warped Tour has turned their sights on the country music crowd and created their fist ever Country Throwdown Tour. The outdoor amphitheater trek will feature a diverse lineup that brings together iconic and emerging artists in the country music scene, as well as a full concourse of lifestyle attractions and vendors (to be announced soon)–all with an affordable ticket price–plus pre-show tailgaiting parties. A title sponsor will soon be announced. Headliners Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town and Jack Ingram are among the 10 initial acts to be announced for this nationwide country music tour running from May 13 through June 20. Other artists confirmed for the first annual multi-stage country tour include Eric Church, the Eli Young Band, Jonathan Singleton & The Grove, Lost Trailers, Ryan Bingham and Emily West, with more artists to be announced. In addition to the 12 main artists performing on three stages (one main stage and two side stages), the Bluebird Café Tent will feature nine extraordinary singer-songwriters. Fans will get to see these artists perform intimate “In the Round”-type sets in the Bluebird Café Tent throughout the day, as well as see them play nightly on a specially designed stage during the main stage set changes. Tour founder and co-producer Kevin Lyman says, “Very much like other projects we have been involved with, this project is about bringing together a great group of artists and attractions at a fair ticket price for music fans.” “We feel Country music will welcome this type of touring festival,” explains Sarah Baer, co-producer for the tour and Head of Marketing for 4FINI, Inc. “Fans of any music genre are looking for a place where they can experience a full day of quality music from new faces, along side well known acts, and at a value price. The music we’ve had the pleasure of booking on this tour is going to surprise and excite a lot of people come May. It’s a group of truly talented musicians and singer-songwriters that have never toured in this capacity. I’m expecting great things.” Brian O’Connell, President of Country Music Touring for Live Nation, says, “I’m looking forward to bringing the Country Throwdown Tour to Country Music fans across the U.S. next summer. Kevin and I have known each other for a long time, and he and his team have obviously been very successful with their other projects, most notably the Vans Warped Tour, and I am proud that he and his team and Live Nation are in business with this exciting project. The opportunity that we have to collectively bring an unprecedented number of artists on tour at once, and to expose their music to fans at an affordable Continue reading Country Throwdown Tour Featuring Montgomery Gentry