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.

Cooper Boone Featured in Country Weekly!

Posted on by

Congratulations to Cooper Boone for being featured in this week’s Country Weekly magazine! Cooper Boone is an artist who has been working every self-promotion angle possible over the last few years and now his DIY-indie style is starting to pay off with some mainstream country press attention! Country Weekly is featuring Cooper this week complete with a free music download. Check it out at www.countryweekly.com! [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNzE6z5EzPU] Country Music Photo Gallery

Win Toby Keith’s American Ride!

Posted on by

Country Music News Blog wants to give YOU a copy of Toby Keith’s new album “American Ride” Toby Keith‘s new album”American Ride” has landed on our desk and so far the reviews are sounding damned good! Now it’s time to share the wealth with our readers and give a few copies away. Sign up today for our country music newsletter and automatically be entered to win in this drawing as well as all future drawings!Country Music Photo Gallery

Joe Nichols premiers ‘An Old Friend Of Mine’ Video

Posted on by

Joe Nichols released his new video for “An Old Friend Of Mine” Exclusively to AOL’s The Boot “Rarely does a song come along that accurately describes the pain and the power of addiction. In a lot of ways, saying goodbye to an addiction is like saying goodbye to an old friend; someone who has been there for you in good times and in bad times. I’m thankful I have something worth living for and fighting for, and I’m thankful for this song.” You can read more of Joe’s interview at The Boot.

Reba McEntire to duet with Andrea Bocelli for Christmas Album

Posted on by

Reba McEntire has recorded the Elvis Presley classic, “Blue Christmas” with opera singer Andrea Bocelli. The duet will be featured on Andrea Bocelli’s upcoming CD, “My Christmas.” Also included on the album are Natalie Cole, Mary J Blige, and The Muppets. REBA will also appear on an upcoming PBS-TV special to coincide with the album, which airs in November. “My Christmas” hits stores November 3rd.Country Music Photo Gallery

CMT Announces Brooks & Dunn ‘Invitation Only’ Premiere

Posted on by

Brooks & Dunn are scheduled to appear on the newest episode of CMT’s “Invitation Only” on Friday, October 30th at 10p (ET). The show was filmed just a couple short days after the duo announced their split. Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn will perform some of their biggest hits and answer questions from the audience in the one-hour special. For more info, visit www.CMT.com.

Wynonna Judd’s Homeschool Teacher Arrested for Child Pornography

Posted on by

Scott Myers, hired then quickly fired by Wynonna Judd, is arrested for child pornography. The former teaching assistant facing federal child pornography charges was home-schooling the children of a country music superstar. Scott Myers had been hired to home-school the children of Wynonna Judd. He was fired immediately after she learned about the charges. He’d worked as a teacher’s assistant and even a kids’ camp counselor. The whole time, he flew below the radar of more than one TBI background check. More on News Channel 5 Country Music Photo Gallery

Hushabye Baby – Country Music Lullabies

Posted on by

Hushabye Baby takes songs from your favorite country stars like Carrie Underwood, George Strait, and Rascal Flatts and turns them into soothing lullabies for kids. I recently got a package from Hushabye Farms containing 4 albums of children’s lullaby music. Let me start by saying that I am IN LOVE with these albums! Each album takes songs that us grown-up country music fans know by heart, strips them down to just guitar, steel and light percussion, and turns them into the most soothing renditions possible. The CD’s are then packed with a cute story about one of the animals on Hushabye Farm, as well as a sweet recipe for baby food. We all know that music has a huge influence on the attitude and excitement level of the people listening to it. Now you should know, The DH Ranch is chaos. We’ve got kids and animals and musicians, and goodness only knows what passing through here all the time. And no matter what, the kids are always the loudest thing on the ranch. I put the Garth Brooks lullaby album in my CD player last night and it was like someone had pushed a giant global mute button! Big Mike stopped booming his voice and hummed gently along. The kids all quieted down and just sat on their stools listening. It was crazy! I’ve never seen this ranch just slow to a crawl the way it did last night… so of course this morning I HAD to try the George Strait lullabies! I put it on a low volume coming out of the kitchen and my normally bouncing-off-the-walls 4 kids (plus whatever spare children wander in with mine) stayed low-key and calm. It was beautiful. And the best part about it is that I like the music! They were all songs I know and love, and the acoustic renditions were surprising and refreshing. I mean, who ever though “Flat on the Floor” from Carrie Underwood could be so relaxing? At this point,  it is my opinion that every dentists office, preschool, hospital, grandma’s house, nursery, heck… EVERYONE should have the full collection of Hushabye Baby albums! I know these aren’t EVER leaving the CD player at DH Ranch! Country Music Photo Gallery

Jason Rogers – CD Review

Posted on by

Reviews are in for Jason Rogers on his self-titled debut album and so far the outlook is good. Jason Rogers wrote or co-wrote eight of the twelve songs on his self-titled debut. Jason’s strength is definitely in song writing, but do not discount his interesting voice! This album is very well put together and rings of true country music! Jason wrote “Breathe into Me” and it is the strongest song on the CD, his voice sounds very meaningful and his lower ranges are smooth and sexy on this love song. I would not be surprised to hear this one out there soon and on the dance floor I’d be wishing for one more verse! In “Keeps Beating On” I could feel the longing in Jason’s voice for his lost love. The ballad “Thinking About Changing” once again showcases Jason’s deep voice while his strong verses tell the story. But what also keeps me listening to Jason’s CD are the fun songs like “It Ain’t Braggin”, “The Good Ole Days” and “Why Does Everybody Look at Me”. These fast paced fun songs may not show off a perfect voice, but the trade off is tons of personality and it just makes me smile. Jason Roger’s CD runs the gamut from rip roaring fun to love songs to sad ballads and the unusual accent and cadence of his voice just enhance the experience. While he could benefit by strengthening his voice, I look forward to hearing more from this artist in the future! Review provided by Anita James, a guest contributor for CMNB. For more about Jason Rogers, visit JasonRogersCountry.comCountry Music Photo Gallery

Kenny Chesney’s College Football Moments Get Criticism

Posted on by

It seems that not all college football fans are fans of Kenny Chesney! In a recent post at SportingNews.com it was made perfectly clear that Kenny Chesney‘s “Our Moment”  clips should be cut from college football on ESPN. While I can’t say that I fully agree, I did get tired of seeing the same clip at almost every commercial break and was relieved to find out that it would not be shown for every game. As it turns out, ESPN is only using these clips, along with others from artist Dave Matthews, for the season opener, very big games, and the last day of the regular season. I guess during those games that will be my “moment” to go grab a drink. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWpJusn12Jc]Country Music Photo Gallery

Jeremy Crady’s NFL Football Fanatic Game!

Posted on by

Country music artist Jeremy Crady asks “Are you a football FANATIC?” – Crady challenges fellow football fans to an exclusive “pick ’em” contest.  – Grand Prize includes a personalized NFL jersey (team of your choice), Madden 2010 game and Jeremy Crady music and merchandise.          Fans who beat Jeremy in his Football Fanatics game will be registered to win the Grand Prize of a personalized NFL jersey and a Madden 2010 game.   Growing up in Texas, country artist Jeremy Crady knows a little about football. A lifelong Longhorns and Cowboys fan, Jeremy is now giving fans the chance to test their own skills with his new “pick ’em” game, Football Fanatics.    Beat Jeremy in picking the outright winners of eight NFL and college games and you’ll be registered to win the Grand Prize of an NFL jersey, the new Madden 2010 video game and other prizes.   How to play. Simply register to play at JeremyCrady.com/fanatics. Three names will be chosen each week from the registrants to go toe-to-toe with Jeremy in an all-out gridiron battle. The contest begins with games of Oct. 3-5 and runs for four consecutive weeks, with three new players chosen to compete each week.   If you’re selected, your game picks will be posted on JeremyCrady.com along with Jeremy’s choices. May the biggest football fanatic win!   Prizes. Beat or tie Jeremy in picking the winners of the eight games and you’ll be registered to win the Grand Prize of a personalized NFL jersey (for the team of your choice) and a copy of the new Madden 2010 video game (any platform). Plus, every registrant chosen to play Football Fanatics will get an autographed copy of Jeremy’s new CD, Smoke Wagon Serenade.   Week One games. If you’re lucky enough to be selected to play, here are the eight games for Week One:   Jeremy Crady’s debut radio single, “The Toughest Ride,” is featured on CDX 477 and available on Airplay Direct.         Country Music Photo Gallery