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.

Alan Jackson to be Honored on CMT Giants

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Alan Jackson will be honored on CMT Giants which airs December 6, 2008. Friends like George Strait, Brad Paisley, Martina McBride and Lee Ann Womack serenaded Alan Jackson with his biggest hits. Even newer artists like Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift payed tribute to the small-town Southern man. The show will debut on CMT on Dec. 6. As is tradition on CMT Giants, Jackson sang a few of his own songs at the end. The show also features sincere testimonials from other famous friends, sprinkled among Jackson’s own stories and photographs.Country Music Photo Gallery

2008 CMA Awards in Review

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The 2008 Country Music Association Awards Recap Last night’s 42nd annual CMA Awards show was both a hit and a miss in my book. Artists like Sugarland and Carrie Underwood demonstrated that they are not only hits on the radio, but hitsduring a live performance as well. Meanwhile, top-grossing artists like Taylor Swift and Jason Aldean show that sometimes all you need is a pretty face and a great marketing machine to back it. Many people are up in arms over the way that the night played out, and what it means for the current state of Nashville and the future of country music. My favorite country music news source, The 9513, cites “Country Music’s Biggest Night Wasn’t Country… if you are reading this website now, on the morning after, not because you’re looking for pictures of Kellie Pickler’s boobs but because you love country music, or because you like country music, or even because you have just a passing interest in one of the few contemporary art forms that can be said to be truly and uniquely American, you should feel both insulted and outraged by what you witnessed last night.” DH Country Music site administrator and Earps guitarist Ump had this to say: [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0PM9VeGfqQ] Join the conversation and tell us what YOU thought of last night’s 2008 CMA’s in our country music forum! Country Music Photo Gallery

2009 Stagecoach Festival Artists Announced

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Gas prices, struggling economy, and artist cancellations could make this the last Stagecoach Festival. The 2009 Stagecoach Festival (California’s Country Music Festival) planning is well underway, but some fear that the days of country music pilgrimages may be coming to a close. The past few years have seen a decline in ticket and merchandise sales for many event organizers and this year expects to be even worse. Fans who are are struggling with keeping their homes, or scraping pennies just to fill up their gas tanks certainly don’t have the luxury of buying music festival tickets or paying the expenses that are incurred on the trip there and back. Even lesser-known artists have been backing out of recent festival appearances because of high touring costs. But don’t tell that to these country concert stars. Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum have already signed on to appear at  the 2009 Stagecoach Festival in spite of the obvious financial concerns. They will be joined by fellow artists Darius Rucker, Kid Rock, Little Big Town, Chris Cagle,  and many more! Tickets go on sale next week, and the success of this festival may determine the future of the event.Country Music Photo Gallery

Brad Paisley’s New Album Play In Stores Today!

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Brad Paisley is proud to release his new album “Play” to stores today! This album focuses on Brad’s amazing guitar skills and features collaborations with other chart-topping artists like Keith Urban, Buck Owens, Steve Wariner, BB King and even Andy Griffith. Each track brings forth little pieces of Paisley’s heart and soul. My personal favorites so far are tied between “Kim” which somehow pulls my heartstrings without a word, and the playful intro to “Start a Band” where you can hear him laughing about dropping his guitar pick into the body of the guitar which is something I’ve done more times than I can count. Now my question is, with the obvious skill, top names, and excellent musicianship on the instrumental tracks of this album, how many tracks do YOU think will get national radio airplay? I believe that Brad Paisley’s “Play” album sets the stage for a resurgence in skilled guitarists taking the spotlight in pop country, which is something I’ve sorely missed. For more reviews of Brad Paisley’s new album Play, check out our country music forum!Country Music Photo Gallery

CMNB Partners with DH Country Music to Create Community!

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In the spirit of encouraging new music and community participation, Country Music News Blog has joined with DH Country Music to create a community driven site! Over the next few weeks we will begin adding features to the site that will include integrated access to our new: Country Music Forum User Profiles Chat Video, Picture, and Music Uploads And much much more! To celebrate our community the first 500 members to join will be entered into a raffle for special prizes including new cd’s, apparel, and many other exciting gifts! Once you’ve joined, be sure to invite your friends or visit our badges page to help spread the word! And by all means PLEASE use these tools to help bring your favorite artists to light for the rest of us!!! View my page on DH Country MusicCountry Music Photo Gallery

Dierks Bentley Releases Bonus Video

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Fans are invited to take an inside look at the creation of Dierks Bentley‘s next album by promising to post a new behind-the-scenes video on Bentley’s Web site every Monday. This latest move shows both artists and fans how much the power of the internet and online social interaction is changing the face of artist promotion and how it gives fans an opportunity to get up close and personal to stars like Dierks Bentley. Dierks was an early adopter of online social tools in the country music scene which has no doubt aided in his success. So let’s celebrate his efforts and enjoy the special behind the scenes Dierks Bentley video.Country Music Photo Gallery

Jake Owen to Finish New Album

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Jake Owen is wrapping up in his producer’s studio over the next few weeks and shares his enthusiasm for  the wide variety of songs included in the coming album with CMT. “When I’m buying a record, I want to make sure I can listen to it from top to bottom, and to have an eclectic mix of songs,” he says. “Not songs that all sound the same. They’re random, you know, and that’s what keeps me as a listener.” Jake Owen proudly takes co-writing credit for 9 of the tracks on his new album, including the current hit, “Startin’ with me” but is just as excited about songs that  were provided to him.Country Music Photo Gallery

CMA Nominees and the Future of Country Music

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Since everyone else reports on the same handful of country stars, I thought I’d introduce y’all to some newer faces in country music! Of course the country music industry is all abuzz with the recent 2008 CMA Nominees announcements, and everyone is hemming and hawing over acts like Sugarland, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, and George Strait. I mean, It’s big news, with household names and those names grab readers. But I want to take a moment to introduce you to (or remind you of) some names you’ll hear plenty of in the coming year! First on my roster is young crooner Mindy Smith. Mindy is currently working on a followup album to her debut “One Moment More“. Mindy’s voice is clear and strong and her heart spills out into the songs that she both writes and performs. While Mindy’s not a household name yet, with the help of country music legend Dolly Parton, I’m sure it won’t take long. Not long ago Mindy Smith had the honor of performing Dolly’s classic “Jolene” on the “Just because I’m a Woman” tribute album. Dolly’s reaction: “Even though Mindy is still young and new to the music business, I believe she will leave her mark as one of our greatest writers and singers ever,” says Dolly Parton, “‘Jolene’ has been done many times by many artists,including me, but Mindy’s version is my favorite. I wish her all the best.” [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcDBgXbGskc] Next in the rockin country rollcall is an unexpected duo from Tennessee. Joey and Rory surprised judges along with the rest of America when they appeared on CMT’s Can You Duet with their solid sound and old-country charm. But what won the world over to Joey and Rory is the only thing more universal than music. Love. Their obvious affection and endearment for each other was something cameras gravitated towards, taking the viewers along for the ride. It almost makes this video for “Cheater, cheater” seem like a playful joke! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, look out Tim and Faith, cause these guys are authentic! [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmqIsnIp5uc] Something you’ll find with both of these artists is that the next wave of rising country stars seems to have a nostalgic tone. We’re finding more reliance on voice and instruments and less on studio-produced pop sound. My opinion is that it’s about time! Country Music Photo Gallery

Brad Paisley Announces 2009 Concert Tour Dates!

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BRAD EXTENDS THE PAISLEY PARTY TOUR INTO 2009! Brad Paisley has announced the last leg of The Paisley Party tour which will extend into early 2009. Paisley has invited fellow Opry member Dierks Bentley to be his very special guest on the 24 day tour starting in January with Darius Rucker opening January dates and Crystal Shawanda February dates.   View All Upcoming Shows Current CMA and ACM Male Vocalist of the Year, Paisley received his first Grammy Award this year for Country Instrumental, “Throttleneck.” The Paisley Party has played to over 502,000 fans so far this year and last year’s Bonfires and Amplifiers Tour was ranked #2 in total attendance for country tours by Pollstar. Play – Paisley’s highly anticipated guitar-driven mostly-instrumental album will be released November 4 and includes special guest vocals and collaborations with B.B. King, Keith Urban, Steve Wariner and Buck Owens. 2009 The Paisley Party tour dates: 1-15 Tupelo, MS BancorpSouth Center 1-16 Little Rock, AR Alltel Arena 1-17 New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena 1-18 Pensacola, FL Pensacola Civic Center 1-22 Austin, TX Frank Irwin Center 1-23 Bossier City, LA CenturyTel Center 1-24 Tulsa, OK BOK Center 1-25 Lubbock, TX United Spirit Arena 1-29 Dayton, OH Nutter Center 1-30 Moline, IL iWireless Center 1-31 Omaha, NE Qwest Center 2-12 London, ONT John Labatt Centre 2-13 Hamilton, ONT Copps Coliseum 2-14 Ottawa, ONT Scotiabank Place 2-17 Winnipeg, MAN MTS Centre 2-18 Regina, SK Brandt Centre 2-19 Saskatoon, SK Credit Union Centre 2-20 Edmonton, ALB Rexall Place 2-21 Calgary, ONT Penngrowth Saddledome 2-24 Vancouver, BC General Motors Place 2-26 Spokane, WA Spokane, Arena 2-27 Portland, OR Rose Garden 2-28 Tacoma, WA Tacoma Dome 3-1 Yakima, WA Yakima Valley SundomeCountry Music Photo Gallery

Kenny Rogers on FOX Business Network

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Kenny Rogers makes a guest appearance on FOX Business Network Kenny Rogers spoke with FOX Business Network’s Charles Payne about the niche he has in the country music market and how he can’t compete with Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney, but they’re too young to do what he does. Below are excerpts from the interview: On what kind of artist he is: “As far as musically goes, I think I’m boxed in to who I am and what I do best, and I try not to compete in areas that I don’t feel I can compete in. I think I’m an excellent story teller and I have always said if you give me a song that touches me I think I can make it touch you.” On comparing himself to current popular country artists: “As far as going out there and doing the heavy country rock, I can’t compete with Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney and those guys, so I don’t try. I mean, I do what I do best. Honestly, I think they’re too young to do what I do, so it’s a nice niche I have.” To see the full interview, follow this link. You can catch Kenny Rogers live by checking the Kenny Rogers Concert Tour schedule.Country Music Photo Gallery