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.

Sticks Country Music Festival 2009 – Discount Tickets

The organizers at Sticks Country Music Festival know times are hard, and want to help you stretch your dollar the furthest! Sticks Country Music Festival is now offering single-day passes for those who can’t afford the cost or the time off work for the whole weekend.  The festival runs April 17th and 18th, and includes acts like Trace Adkins, Sara Evans, Rodney Atkins, Ashton Shepherd, Julianne Hough, Gretchen Wilson, Craig Morgan, Jason Michael Carroll,and many more! $35 Friday only (5 acts + Festival Stge w/local bands) $55 Saturday only (10 acts + Festival Stage w/local bands) $79 Two day pass (With Discount Code CMNB09)! See it all AND get free camping (optional) Country Music Photo Gallery

Randy Owen Contest Winner!

Randy Owen’s new book has a new home! Congratulations to Jason of Phoenix, AZ for being the lucky winner of a copy of Randy Owen’s autobiography titled “Born Country” and its’ accompanying CD “One on One”. Jason was randomly selected from our members over at the DH Country Music Community, where fans go to blog, share music and videos, and chat about their favorite country stars and legends! Interested? Then join today!Country Music Photo Gallery

Sugarland Launches New Website

Sugarland launches a brand new website and wants YOU to join! Sugarland is getting in touch with their fans after a complete overhaul of the official Sugarland website. The new site now features more detailed tour information, photos and interactive options as well as a full-blown community! To celebrate the new site, and the launch of to 2009 Sugarland concert tour, Jennifer and Kristian are holding a “Key To Sugarland” contest! For more information, visit their site today! Sugarland Community OverviewCountry Music Photo Gallery

Willie Nelson — Naked Willie CD Review

Willie Nelson strips down and bares all in this reproduction of classic Nashville heritage found on Naked Willie Long before becoming The Redheaded Stranger, Willie Nelson was part of the classic Nashville  music machine. In the fashion of country music at the time, Willie’s unique voice and captivating songs were often drowned with orchestration and cheesy back-up singing which took away from the value of his music. It wasn’t long before Willie broke away from the artistic suffocation and became one of the first to fall under the “country music outlaw” flag. In “Naked Willie” you will find 17 of Willie Nelson’s songs, originally recorded between 1966 and 1970, completely stipped down and remastered to remove all the superfluous noise and showcase just the true music hiding underneath.  The album is far from displaying the raw simplicity of Willie’s voice, but definitely highlights his songwriting and his ability to insert true emotion into his performances. This is definitely a good starter album for new Willie Nelson fans, and a refresher course for those who have forgotten what country singers sound like amidst all the pop stars that currently label themselves “country”. If you’d like to hear what country sounds like, enter to win your copy of Naked Willie today by subscribing to our country music newsletter! All newsletter members are automatically entered to win in  all of our giveaways. Willie Nelson CD winners will be drawn on April 30th and notified by email.Country Music Photo Gallery

Lee Ann Womack CD Giveaway Winners!

Congratulations to the winners of our Lee Ann Womack CD Giveaway! Country Music News Blog is all about sharing the love, so congratulations go out to the winners of our Lee Ann Womack CD Giveaway!  Jessica from Murfreesboro TN, Kathleen from West Chester OH, The Big Bear from Springdale AR, Victoria from Houston TX, and Sandra from Newark DE have all been sent a copy of Lee Ann’s phenomenal album “Call Me Crazy“. Want to get in on the action? Check out our Contests page to see what we’re giving out, then subscribe to our country music newsletter to enter. All of our contest winners are selected from that list, and we don’t bug you with endless emails or give out your information so what have you got to lose? Subscribe today! Country Music Photo Gallery

Jamey Johnson is Our Man

Jamey Johnson’s unapologetic forwardness and true-to-life lyrics make him CMNB’s favorite male artist for the month of April. Jamey Johnson: Celebrated songwriter, proud father, and now, country legend in the making. In a recent airing of CMT Crossroads, Jamey is seen palling around with country music legacy Shooter Jennings, and it’s easy to tell he’s already a part of this good ole boy’s network. He is natural, approachable, and truly genuine. Jamey Johnson is currently causing an alarming stir in Nashville. His debut album “That Lonesome Song” has gained critical acclaim across all the major country music networks and blogs, and die-hard country music purists have given Jamey their hard-earned seal of approval. But the road wasn’t always so easy. Jamey’s first run at success came shortly after leaving his 8 year stint in the US marines. A young husband and new father, Jamey landed a contract with EMI records in 2005, who then put out his first single “The Dollar”. The single was a hit, and Jamey hit the road. But as rumors of partying and debauchery painted a picture of a country music rebel, both the label and his marriage became casualties. Already an accomplished songwriter with hits like “Give it Away“, made famous by George Strait catapulted his name through the Nashville circles like a fireball. At the same time another of his tunes was picked up by Trace Adkins and flew up the charts as well. But is “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” a claim to success that he’d rather not share? In many interviews the 80’s rock band Cheap Trick bemoaned the success of “I Want You To Want Me” stating that they hated the song and only wrote it as a joke. So imagine their disappointment when it became their flag-waving hit song? I doubt it since Jamey kept the real good tines all to himself. Once “In Color” hit radio airwaves he was instantly acheiving the respect and admiration normally reserved for seasoned veterans of Music Row. The future for Jamey Johnson is looking bright. He was already the Xbox Live Artist of the month, allowing fans a chance to play with or against him tonight on NASCAR 09. He is also nominated for 4 awards in the upcoming ACM ceremony later this month AND he will be showcased alongside other stars like Alan Jackson, and Brooks & Dunn paying tribute to George Strait in an ACM honorary special for Artist of the Decade, which airs May 27th. Until then, take a peek at Jamey Johnson singing at the St Judes Storytellers Jam [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYBZ-NSXnPc] You can also catch Jamey on his summer tour: 04.09.2009 George’s Majestic Lounge Fayetteville AR 04.10.2009 Shooters Bar and Grill Texarkana TX 04.11.2009 WinStar Casino – ShowPlace Theatre Thackerville OK 04.16.2009 Clutch Cargo’s Pontiac MI 04.17.2009 Roberts Stadium Evansville IN 04.18.2009 G-29 Memorial Union Ames IA 04.23.2009 Murphy’s Nite Life Florence SC 04.24.2009 The Foundation Performing Arts Center Spindale NC 04.25.2009 Suwannee River Jam Live Oak FL 05.07.2009 Cancun Cantina Hanover Continue reading Jamey Johnson is Our Man

Rascal Flatts Concert Review

Rascal Flatts gives a dynamic performance during the tail end of their Bob That Head tour Rascal Flatts definitely answered the question “where did all the chicks go?” during their Bob That Head tour which is just now coming to a close. As for the music, it was a locked-down tight performance. The setlist flowed extremely well, keeping the concert’s momentum and energy up perfectly, and they even snuck in a song or two from their upcoming album, “Unstoppable” which releases April 7th 2009. I could go on and on about their musical skillset and performance quality, but that’s the same thing every other review is going to do.  And we’re not like everyone else are we? When I go to a concert I’m looking for more than just what the CD could have provided me; I’m looking for a show! Something that proves I got more for my ticket then what my car stereo was giving me. You see, I will admit proudly that in addition to loving country music I was, and still am, a fan of 80’s glam and hair metal. Long guitar solos, spectacular stage shows, men who can really sing a ballad, and of course all that hair drew me to their concerts with a passion. They also drew millions of other women who were dressed to kill and knew every word of every song. This in turn drew the men who would chick-chase, and so a happy arena-filling tour industry thrived. But as my hair metal days came to a close I started to wonder where the men go to chase the chicks now? Who’s packing arenas and venues to the till for a thrilling concert experience? The answer? Country Stars. The screaming fans are all following country music’s biggest acts. The Rascal Flatts concert easily had a 5-1 girl to guy ratio and played directly to that crowd with compliments, love songs, and high energy hits. As for the guys in the crowd, if they were able to look away from the eye candy surrounding them long enough to look onstage, they were rewarded with an awesome light show, screaming guitar solos, and guess what? Even more hot chicks! Yes, Rascal Flatts had dancers behind a thinly-veiled screen who you could watch through the whole show. On top of the outstanding visual and guitar displays,  Rascal Flatts also showed something that I have never seen at a country show… A true sense of humor. Between Gary messing with the touring guitarist during an emotional ballad, Joe truly enjoying his run of the stage, and Jay telling jokes and really getting the crowd roaring, these guys made sure the entire show was an interactive experience. They called out for responses from the crowd, jumped down into the frontlines to sing,  and even pulled up one little girl for an impromptu performance of her own. These are guys who truly know how to make fans a part of their act. I for one, can’t wait Continue reading Rascal Flatts Concert Review

Country Star Wishlist

Reba McEntire | Living Legend | Country Music News

Just give me a jukebox, and a country song! Country music stars are a special brand of celebrity. Unlike actors or athletes, their art hits us closer to home, and seems to pull more than anything, from their own personality. So it’s easy to understand why there are some country stars who seem more welcoming than others, more authentic, and of course, just more interesting. As I jotted my next country concert down in my calendar (which happens to be Sticks Country Music Festival), I began to wonder what it would be like to meet Rascal Flatts, Gretchen Wilson, or Jamey Johnson? What would I ask? How would I leave a great impression? Why would that meeting be so important to me? Then I started wondering who else I’d want to meet? What is my all-star line-up of country stars and why? Well, I’ll tell you! And by golly, if you know a way I can meet any of these guys, then just email me at shauna@whiskeychick.rocks and I’ll be happier than a hummingbird in a spring flower garden!

Ruth Collins – Exclusive Interview

Ruth Collins sits down for an unconventional interview with Country Music News Blog Ruth Collins is best known (for now) as half of the charming and sensational duo “Wild Honey” from last year’s Can You Duet competition. In an exclusive 20/140 interview, Ruth talks about going solo, the competition, and whatever else she can fit into 140 characters or less. The 20/140 interview was conducted live on Twitter for all our followers to see and comment on. The format is 20 questions, asked then answered in 140 characters or less each. It’s a great way to get the quick and dirty on our favorite country stars without the media and PR firm middlemen, so enjoy! Press Play! <a href=”http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&task=viewaltcast&altcast_code=dc0762538b” >Twitter 20/140 With Ruth Collins</a>Stay in touch with Ruth Collins on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ruthcollins or me at http://www.twitter.com/DHCountryMusic! You can also find Ruth on MySpace!Country Music Photo Gallery

Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, and Ashton Shepherd News

Brad Paisley to Debut “Then” on American Idol March 18th. After closing out the Paisley Party Tour to a sold-out crowd of over 13,000 Brad Paisley is moving on to work on the release of his next album, “American Saturday nights“. Brad is set to perform the first single “Then” from the album this Wednesday night on American Idol as part of “Grand Ole Opry Week”. Blake Shelton Celebrates #1 for “She Wouldn’t Be Gone” Blake Shelton gathered with family and friends to celebrate his fifth chart-topping single “She Wouldn’t Be Gone” from his current album, “Startin’ Fires”. Ashton Shepherd signs with Cherry Heart Entertainment, LLC for artist management and representation. Ashton Shepherd is about the best thing to happen to mainstream country radio since Loretta Lynn, and Cherry Hill wants to make sure everyone knows! “All of us at Cherry Heart are so excited to work with one of the most authentic artists in today’s country music. Ashton’s uniqueness is a rarity and is appreciated by everyone exposed to her and her music. She is a great example of the type of talent our industry was built on, “comments Shelby Kennedy, Senior Vice President / COO.Country Music Photo Gallery