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.

Telluride, Grammy Updates, and Taylor Swift pairs with Miley Cyrus

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Today in our Country Music Recap, Telluride becomes more than a song and a place,  The Grammys add a few more performers, and Taylor and Miley team up for “Fifteen”. Telluride is stirring a buzz in country music circles with their debut release of “Four Square Miles“. An up and comer in the industry, some sites are already pitting them against acts like Little Big Town and Lady Antebellum as the next big group! Find out more at your source for Underground Country Music! Taylor Swift and Sugarland have both confirmed that they will be performing at the 2009 Grammy Awards Sunday Feb 8th on CBS. Other superstars on the performing schedule include Kenny Chesney, Kid Rock, Carrie Underwood, Miley Cyrus, and Robert Plant with Alison Krauss. Sounds like a star-studded event to me! And speaking of Taylor and Miley, the two are rumored to be pairing up for a duet on Taylor Swifts new song “Fifteen”  during the Grammy Awards show! Stay tuned for more Country Music News from your pals at CMNB!Country Music Photo Gallery

Zac Brown Baby, Jamey Johnson Single, and Keith Urban on A&E

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Zac Brown is expecting a new baby, Jamey Johnson releases a new single, and Keith Urban gets a biography on A&E in today’s country music news weekend recap! CMT Hot Dish reports that Zac Brown of the Zac Brown Band is expecting again. This will be his third child and they’re hoping for a little boy since the older two are both girls. Jamey Johnson is following up his chart-topping hit “In Color” with a new single “High Cost of Living” which is set to release on February 9th. The single covers sensitive topics such as divorce, prostitutes and drugs, and is the second off his album “That Lonesome Song” Keith Urban is laying it all out for fans to see in an upcoming biography on A&E. The production is still in the filming stages and there doesn’t seem to be any official news from either Keith Urban’s team or A&E’s staff as to when it’s scheduled to air, but be sure that we’ll keep you posted when we find out!Country Music Photo Gallery

Taylor Swift Announces Fearless Tour with Kelli Pickler

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Taylor Swift is Fearless this summer as she tours the nation on her first headline concert tour with Kelli Pickler and Gloriana Taylor Swift is flyin’ high as she gears up for her first headline tour this summer. Tickets for Taylor Swift’s Fearless Tour are already on sale with select vendors and with Taylor’s commitment to keeping tickets as low-priced as possible, starting at $20 in most cases, I’m sure they won’t last long. “Headlining my own tour is a dream come true,” Swift said in a press release announcing the tour on Friday (Jan. 30). “This way, I can play more music every night than I ever have before. Having written my own songs, they are all stories in my head, and my goal for this tour is to bring those stories to life. My favorite thing when I go to a concert is having lots of changing things to look at, so I’ve been working really hard to make this show as multi-dimensional as possible. I want to be sure that everyone has the opportunity to come see my show, so we have affordable tickets available for every date we do this year.” Stops on Taylor Swift’s Fearless tour include: Feb. 10: San Antonio, TX Mar. 1: Plant City, FL Mar. 20: Houston, TX April 23: Evansville, Ind. April 24: Jonesboro, Ark. April 25: St. Louis April 30: Charleston, S.C. May 1: Jacksonville, Fla. May 2: Biloxi, Miss. May 14: Spokane, Wash. May 15: Seattle May 16: Portland, Ore. May 17: Yakima, Wash. May 21: Phoenix May 22: Los Angeles May 23: Las Vegas May 24: San Diego May 26: Salt Lake City June 4: Enterprise, Ala. June 11: Baltimore June 12: Greensboro, N.C. June 24: Oshkosh, Wis. June 25: Caddott, Wis. July 8: Calgary, Alberta July 10: Craven, Saskatchewan July 11: Winnipeg, Manitoba July 16: Twin Lakes, Wis. July 17: Columbus, Ohio July 18: Charleston, W.Va. July 23: Cheyenne, Wyo. July 24: Rapid City, S.D. July 25: Minot, N.D. Aug. 7: Detroit Lakes, Minn. Aug. 9: Omaha, Neb. Aug. 27: New York City Aug. 28: Uncasville, Conn. Aug. 29: University Park, Pa. Aug. 30: Louisville, Ky. Sept. 4: Greenville, S.C. Sept. 5: Charlotte, N.C. Sept. 10: Lafayette, La. Sept. 11: Bossier City, La. Sept. 12: Birmingham, Ala. Sept. 25: Dallas Sept. 26: Little Rock, Ark. Sept. 27: Tulsa, Okla. Oct. 1: Cleveland Oct. 2: Grand Rapids, Mich. Oct. 3: Pittsburgh Oct. 8: Indianapolis Oct. 9: Chicago Oct. 10: Minneapolis-St. PaulCountry Music Photo Gallery

Wynonna Judd Gives Sneak Preview of New Album Sing: Chapter1

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Wynonna Judd returns to a more classic country sound with her new album”Sing: Chapter 1″ Due to hit store shelves February 3rd. It’s been a while since we’ve heard much from Wynonna Judd, but it’s been well worth the wait for long-time fans. Wynonna has released a preview of her new album “Sing: Chapter 1”for fans to listen to and enjoy. The album of standards that pay homage to her past is set to release nationwide on February 3rd, and I can’t wait! You can always depend on Wynonna to give a heartfelt performance of raw vocals, and soulful emotion in every song. My personal favorites on the new album are “Till I get it Right” and the original title track “Sing”. Really, the entire album completely embodies the all-consuming compulsion that a true singer has to just lay it all out on the table for the world to listen to just because it feels damned good to do so. During the last year I have started gravitating toward the past,” says Wynonna about the making of this record. “I have such an incredible history of these songs being played in the background while I’m living my life. So the whole album is a real cross-section of all the different genres I grew up with. It’s all me, its all part of the tapestry of who I am. When Wynonna isn’t working on promoting her new album, she’s speaking out for achieving a healthy lifestyle with her partners at Alli, whose representatives had this to say: She represents what so many Americans face on a daily basis: a woman who is challenged to find the balance of living life in the healthiest way possible. alli is dedicated to teaching people how to make positive, long-lasting life changes. For that reason, we’re pleased that Wynonna has selected us to help her accomplish her goals for living a healthier lifestyle. Country Music Photo Gallery

Taylor Swift VS Miranda Lambert: Country Music’s Battle of the Barbies

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Taylor Swift and Miranda Lambert both share the country music spotlight, but which one’s a knock-out, who’s gonna just burn out, who’s holding a secret weapon? Taylor Swift Knock outs: Taylor Swift IS the voice of female teen angst in a pretty prom dress. Her songs are original, often lyrically witty, and touch her target listeners in a way that they can personally relate to. Her management/marketing team is certainly doing a phenomenal job of keeping her nose clean and her name in the spotlight. And her studio albums have all blown through the charts. Burn Outs: What Taylor succeeds at in songwriting ability, she fails at equally in live performance. Unfortunately it would seem that her management team has not put any effort into maturing her vocal abilities through professional instruction. I hate to disappoint Team Taylor, but my guess is that she’s got another year or two before she suffers a Lila McCann style fate of forgotten teen stardom. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CZQZohbZcQ] With a top-selling sophomore album under her belt, Taylor’s confidence is pretty high.  There’s even rumors of Taylor headlining her own tour already, which I honestly don’t think she’s strong enough to carry on her own. Miranda Lambert Knock outs: From being featured in Field & Stream magazine, to her work with organizations like Pawsabilities and Hunters for the Hungry, Miranda demonstrates that she is more than just a pop country princess. At the same time, she writes her own songs, and shows nothing but pure talent whenever she performs. She’s gained much respect from fellow country music artists as being far more talented than any “Barbie-like pop country princess”. Burn Outs: Because Miranda isn’t showboating like many of the other blonde bombshells in country music, her name isn’t in the papers often enough to get the same super-celebrity status as the other girls. This could be good… could be bad. That depends on her goals. But with talent like hers, the press certainly ought to wisen up and take notice! [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwpS7721nCE] Miranda Lambert is heading into the studio next month to work on her 3rd album before she heads out on tour with Kenny Chesney this summer. As for headlining her own tour, we’re all waiting! Who do YOU think dominates with talent?Country Music Photo Gallery

Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley announce tour dates. Miranda Lambert returns to the studio.

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Dierks Bentley two-times this summer opening on both Brad Paisley’s and Keith Urban’s tours. Miranda Lambert heads back to the studio to record her long-awaited 3rd album. Dierks Bentley fanclub members are being treated to a 24 hour advanced preview of his newest album before it hits store shelves next week. i feel like this is my best work to date. every record has its own special place in my heart but there’s something about this one…. You can also catch Dierks on The Today Show next Tuesday (Feb 3rd), or on one of his 2 stops on Keith Urban’s tour this coming May, as well as summer dates opening for Brad Paisley on the American Saturday Nights tour. –CMTT Brad Paisley announced dates for his American Saturday Nights tour. The tour will begin June 5th in Charlotte, NC and end October 17th in West Palm Beach, FL with 41 dates in between. Opening acts on the tour include Dierks Bentley and Jimmy Wayne. Brad is currently finishing up his Paisley Party tour with opening act Darius Rucker which has been selling out almost every night. –CMT Miranda Lambert will hit the recording booth next month to start laying tracks for her third album before hittin’ the road with Kenny Chesney and Lady Antebellum this summer. “Rum, Corona and Kenny himself. What better way could a girl spend her whole summer? I can’t wait until the tour starts. I am so pumped about being out there with such great people. Kenny is the nicest guy ever and he loves to hang, and Lady A are friends of mine so it won’t take anytime for all of us to click.” –CountryStandardTime Country Music Photo Gallery

Rascal Flatts Kick off Final Leg of Bob That Head Tour

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Rascal Flatts have been Bobbin That Head all across the country over the last year, and now their ready to finish off the last leg of that tour. Rascal Flatts enjoyed a nice holiday break but now they’re ready to hit the road again to finish up their “Bob That Head” tour. The final stretch of the tour will kick off in Kansas City MO this weekend and continue through the middle of March. In the meantime fans are also encouraged to start submitting designs for the upcoming Rascal Flatts album “Unstoppable”. For concert tour tickets, check out our partner site CMOT. For album art contest details, check out pcavote.com Rascal Flatts 2009 Tour Dates Jan. 17 Kansas City, MO Spring Center Jan. 18 Des Moines, IA Wells Fargo Arena Jan. 22 Greenville, SC Bi-Lo Center Jan. 23 Winston-Salem, NC Lawrence Joel Vet. Mem. Coliseum Jan. 24 North Charleston, SC North Charleston Coliseum Jan. 29 Charlottesville, VA John Paul Jones Arena Jan. 30 Lexington, KY Rupp Arena Jan. 31 Charleston, WV Charleston Civic Center Feb. 5 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena Feb. 6 Champaign, IL Assembly Hall Feb. 7 Madison, WI Kohl Center Feb. 14 Rochester, NY Blue Cross Arena Feb. 25 Boise, ID Idaho Center Feb. 26 Salt Lake City, UT Energy Solutions Arena Feb. 28 Denver, CO Pepsi Center March 5 Memphis, TN FedEx Forum March 6 New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena March 12 Phoenix, AZ Cricket Wireless Pavilion March 13 San Diego, CA Cricket Wireless Amphitheater March 14 Irvine, CA Verizon Wireless AmphitheaterCountry Music Photo Gallery

Cledus Judd Shows his Political Side

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Cledus T Judd is known well for his redneck parody songs that make fun of everything from christmas to Garth Brooks. But in light of Obamas upcoming induction, Cledus took a stab at political parodies with his rendition of “Waitin on Obama” . Regardless of your political stance, I think he did a fine job reworking Brad Paisley’s hit for a good laugh. Your thoughts? [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUPdCH7pe0U&eurl=http://nashville4u.com/waitin-on-obama&feature=player_embedded] Country Music Photo Gallery

2008 Country Music In Review

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It’s the end of 2008 and while I am spinning my wheels to get ready for the coming year, other country music bloggers are revisiting this year’s finer moments. Here’s a rundown of what you may have missed: The 9513 blog has published their list of the Top 10 Country Music Albums of 2008, taking a personal survey of each of their writer’s top picks of the year. I love 9513 simply for the fact that they rate their favorites based on talent, not just top sales from kids with expendable cash. CMT has offered up an assortment of 2008 recaps such as 2008: The Year in Review and Hot Dish: The best and worst of 2008. As expected, these are both filled with Taylor, Kenny, Keith, Carrie and Kelli, but are we really surprised?Country Music Photo Gallery

Tim & Willy Return to KMLE in Phoenix

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KMLE Country welcomes back radio legends Tim Hattrick and Willy D. Loon with open arms! As a long time Tim & Willy fan you can imagine my excitement when I caught Tim Hattrick on the morning news announcing the triumphant return of Tim & Willy to KMLE Country 108! The pair will begin broadcasting on the radio station’s morning show the week of January 5th, 2009 marking almost exactly one year from the time the duo left KNIX. Tim and willy have been a radio broadcasting team in Arizona since I was a young child, always bringing laughter to the airwaves, and help to our community. With programs like  the Tim & Willy Kid Fun-Dation, they are a shining example of what should happen when Valley residents find themselves in a position where they can make an impact on the betterment of our community. From the Press Release: “CBS RADIO Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Mark Waters said, “KMLE Country has now come full circle – bringing Tim and Willy back home to morning drive is an exciting move not only for their loyal followers but the entire country music audience in the Valley. Tim and Willy are excited to pick up where they left off – both realizing that they never should have left KMLE Country 108.” Country Music Photo Gallery