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.

Carrie Underwood Celebrates Digital Release of Cowboy Casanova

Posted on by

“Cowboy Casanova” Is the Fastest Rising Chart Single of Carrie’s Career and the First Airplay Blockbuster from Her November 3 Album Release, Play On Billboard Magazine calls Carrie Underwood’s “Cowboy Casanova” “taut and packs a punch in all the right places” and also states “Underwood shines on this steamy upbeat number, which she penned with Brett James and Mike Elizondo”. The digital single of “Cowboy Casanova” is now available on iTunes as well as other online retailers, while the rest of the “Play On” album is set for release November 3rd.Country Music Photo Gallery

George Strait enables $750,000 Endowment to ACM Lifting Lives

Posted on by

The ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC announced on September 22nd that they are rewarding a $750,000 endowment to ACM LIFTING LIVES, made from monies raised from ticket sales for the “George Strait ACM Artist of the Decade All-Star Concert” taped in Las Vegas in April. ACM LIFTING LIVES is the philanthropic arm of the ACM, which works works to improve lives through music. ACM Artist of the Decade honoree GEORGE STRAIT participated in the sold-out taping at the MGM Grand Garden Arena along with artists Garth Brooks, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Taylor Swift and many more. More than 10 million viewers tuned in to the special on CBS in MAY. ACM Exec. Dir. Bob Romeo said: “The artists who gave of their time in Aprilare the reason we can make this announcement today. They put their time and energy into the Artist of the Decade taping, and they asked for nothing in return. They showed up, they blew the doors off the house and the ratings through the roof, reaching millions of fans with the message of ACM Lifting Lives. ”Country Music Photo Gallery

Bill Engvall is “Aged and Confused”

Posted on by

Bill Engvall is back October 6th with the release of “Aged and Confused”, his new live comedy CD. Bill Engvall, best known for his “Here’s Your Sign” bit and Blue Collar TV is back just in time for fall with the release of “Aged and Confused”. The live comedy CD will be available online and in stores October 6th. You can pre-order the album ahead of time here on Amazon.com Aged And Confused CD Tracks 1: Aged And Confused (7:06) 2: School Bus Kid (6:56) 3: Clubbing At 50 (6:43) 4: Game Night (2:49) 5: Bad Turbulence (4:35) 6: Shark Frenzy (3:11) 7: Zip Line (4:37) 8: Birthday Suit (5:40) 9: Pick My Nose (6:05) 10: Poopin’ Juice (5:24) 11: Colonoscopy (7:08)Country Music Photo Gallery

Will Rascal Flatts Team Up With The Carter Twins?

Posted on by

The Carter Twins reveal the possibility of working with Rascal Flatts on the Flatts next album Carter Twin Zach shared a little secret with fans Saturday night — the brothers’ song “That’s a Good Thing” is being considered by Rascal Flatts for the country mega group’s next CD. “It would be really cool to be 19 years old and have a song we wrote recorded by Rascal Flatts,” Zach told the audience. For more on The Carter Twins soundcheck and performance, visit LoveMyCountryMusic.com Fan Review provided by Vicky Dobbin of LoveMyCountryMusic.com In OTHER Carter Twins news, The duo has announced that they have split from label CMT Music. CMT Music’s Jay Frank told Country Aircheck that the split was “amicable” and that the network will still be supportive of the duo.Country Music Photo Gallery

Craig Wiseman to Spearhead Music Row Rally

Posted on by

Songwriter Craig Wiseman presents the first-ever Music Row Rally to benefit food assistance needs in Nashville. As we approach the 5-year anniversary of the annual Stars for Second Harvest benefit, songwriter Craig Wiseman is asking Nashville to take notice and help out those in need around them. The demand for emergency food assistance is up %35 and supplies are running short. Simply donating nonperishable food items or making a monetary gift goes a long way. $1 provides 4 meals. On Friday September 25th (That’s THIS FRIDAY!!!!) Craig and the Big Loud Shirt gang, the Second Harvest staff, and a few special surprise guests will be stationed at the Row roundabout and the 17th St./Wedgewood intersection, during rush hours 4:00pm until 6:00pm collecting monetary and canned food donations from all of the cars driving by. Big donations will be rewarded with prizes such as tickets to the show, t-shirts or a sweaty kiss from Craig! “We are very excited about adding Music Row Rally to our Stars For Second Harvest event,” exclaims Craig. “It allows us to get all of our music row friends involved and gives artists a chance to help out such a worthy cause, raising awareness for Second Harvest in a time when it is needed the most. ‘The Words Written In Red’ tell us compassion for the hungry is one of the most basic acts of love there is and there is so much love in this town,” continues Craig. “I know this will be great!” Wiseman will also be the 5th annual Stars For Second Harvest benefit the following week on September 29, 2009 at 7:30pm at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. This concert features an unplugged acoustic style performance by some of Country Music’s brightest stars; Rodney Atkins, Phil Vassar and Heidi Newfield, to name a few. Thanks to presenting sponsor O’Charley’s, all of the proceeds will benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee in their efforts to feed hungry people and work to solve hunger issues in the Nashville community. Event tickets are on-sale now for $50 at secondharvestmidtn.org and $35 at ticketmaster.com.Country Music Photo Gallery

Love And Theft – World Wide Open Review

Posted on by

Love and Theft’s debut album “World Wide Open” may not live up to the single, but definitely shows potential. “Runaway” is one of my favorite songs of Summer 2009 and I was so looking forward to Love and Theft‘s full CD “World Wide Open“. Don’t you just hate it when you buy a CD based on one song and then discover that rest sound nothing at all like the single? Sigh. I had such high hopes. But when I got over that initial let down and gave the CD a few more listens, I started to like (but not love) it for what it is: an amusing mix of boy band music with not quite enough country flair for my tastes. Read more… Fan Review provided by Vicky Dobbin of LoveMyCountryMusic.comCountry Music Photo Gallery

Bucky Covington Brings it on Home

Posted on by

Bucky Covington will perform a FREE concert September 26th in Rockingham, NC to support local charitable programs. Bucky Covington will be returning to his hometown of Rockingham North Carolina in just a few short weeks to host a free live concert for local fans.  Fans are urged to bring canned goods or other non-perishable foods to donate in support of the local Backpack Pals program, as well as the Our Daily Bread Christian Food Ministry. These programs provide nutritional meals and snacks to children on the weekends who otherwise rely on school cafeteria meals during the week. “One of the best places to play is at home. We’ve had the incredible privilege of playing shows in Europe, Alaska and all across the states, but there’s nothing like going home and performing. Every time you look out at the crowd, you see people you know. And to be able to help out Backpack Pals which is such a great organization and worthy cause, tops off this homecoming.” and “When I was on American Idol the whole town pulled together – all of the business, churches – everyone. They all went above and beyond to help out and show me their support,” remembers Bucky. “Now it’s my time to give back.” Country Music Photo Gallery

Country Stars Favorite Country Classics?

Posted on by

Country Artist Share Their Favorite Country Classic Songs on opry.com< In celebration of the fall return of Opry Country Classics, opry.com asked a few country artists to share with us their personal favorites—no matter how they define “classic.” Ever wondered which song your favorite artist considers their favorite country classic? Pam Tillis, Josh Turner, George Jones, and even Ashton Shepherd weigh in with their personal picks! Check out the opry.com’s What Makes a Classic Country Song? cover story and see.Country Music Photo Gallery

A Paisley Room in the Target House

Posted on by

Brad Paisley and wife Kimberly Williams Paisley help to create a second home for those staying in the Target House Brad Paisley and wife Kimberly have designed a new room at Target House, a long-term housing facility in Memphis for families of St Jude Children’s Research Hospital patients. The room was designed to reflect Brad’s style as an artist and musician, with classic country style, and it also mirrors the Paisley’s cabin home. The room includes such features as a Fender guitar chandelier, horse-saddle stools, and a vintage Ms. Pac-Man game table. For more information on TARGET HOUSE, click here.Country Music Photo Gallery

Taylor Swift – Best Dressed

Posted on by

Taylor Swift’s got style and everybody knows it! Taylor Swift was voted one of the  “10 Best Dressed Women” of 2009 by People Magazine. Shocking right? The perpetual princess  is listed with the “Best Sparkle” alongside First Lady Michelle Obama as having the “Best Accessible Glamour”, while stars like Cameron Diaz got “Best Jeans” and Reese Witherspoon was voted “Best Short Dresses”. On the worst dressed list you’ll find Paula Abdul and Jessica Simpson. Find out more at  MTV.comCountry Music Photo Gallery