If a passion for music and a knack for writing make a career, then color Amanda Hensel lucky. She is the product of writers -- apparently when you add two news journalists together, you get one music journalist. She currently resides in 'the live music capital of the world,' where she snagged a journalism degree from the University of Texas. Although she's grounded in Austin, Hensel's name travels -- in her short career, she has cited her passion writing for AOL Music Blog, Fringe Magazine, the Houston Press and various other publications.
Amanda Hensel
Luke Bryan Debuts, Hunter Hayes Returns to ToC Top 10 Video Countdown This Week
Luke Bryan only just released his new 'Crash My Party' music video, but fans didn't waste any time in getting it into the hot Taste of Country Top 10 Video Countdown. Did they beat out other dedicated fanbases to earn a Top 5 slot for their favorite hip-shaker?
Trace Adkins Closes Out Friday’s ToC Fest Lineup With Ballads, Crowd-Pleasers – Pictures
Day 2 of the Taste of Country Music Festival drew to a close with a major bang. Thousands of country music fans piled onto Hunter Mountain on Friday (June 14) to witness the greatness that is Trace Adkins -- and he didn't disappoint.
Taylor Swift Shows Her Many Colors Live on Red Tour in Texas – Exclusive Pictures
Taylor Swift doesn't have thick skin, she tells Taste of Country (after all, no good writer does) -- a trait only amplified during her live show, where she seems most at home. The 'Begin Again' superstar took the stage in the capital city of Austin, Texas on Tuesday night (May 21) wearing her heart on her sleeve and showing it off song by song, story by story.
Country Artists Drop in at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards – Pictures
The 2013 Billboard Music Awards, which aired live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday night (May 19), brought out the biggest singing stars from all genres -- including country.
Brett Eldredge Wraps Red Tour Dates, Shares What He Learned From Taylor Swift
For 20 minutes on Thursday night (May 16), Brett Eldredge owned the crowd that was still trickling into Houston's Toyota Center to see perhaps the biggest tour of the year -- Taylor Swift's 2013 Red Tour. It was a short set for the country newcomer, but like he did at each of the other 18 shows he played with the superstar, he maxed out every second, walking onstage armed with ammo given to him by
Blake Shelton’s ‘Boys ‘Round Here’ Makes Big Debut in ToC Top 10 Video Countdown
His video has hardly been out a week, but already Blake Shelton's 'Boys 'Round Here' clip is at the top of the Taste of Country Top 10 Video Countdown. That's not surprising, give the song's success and the fact that it co-stars wife Miranda Lambert and her Pistol Annies gang. But Shelton's new video is not No. 1.
Fertilizer Plant Explodes Near Waco, Texas: Country Artists Share Thoughts, Prayers
The town of West, Texas -- 20 miles north of Waco -- was shaken by devastation Wednesday night (April 17) when a massive explosion occurred at a fertilizer plant around 7:50PM local time.
The Band Perry and the Henningsens Return to the ToC Top 10 Video Countdown
Two country family trios found their way back into the Taste of Country Top 10 Video Countdown this week! The Band Perry's 'Better Dig Two' video and the Henningsens' fan-favorite 'American Beautiful' both waltzed back in, giving Jason Aldean and Kip Moore's latest clips the boot.
Kellie Pickler’s Drummer Seriously Injured in Accident
Kellie Pickler's drummer suffered serious injuries as the result of a car accident on Saturday (March 2). Gregg Lohman was traveling along Interstate 65 in Kentucky around 11:30AM when the crash occurred.
Blake Shelton Plays That Funky Music, Performs With Miranda Lambert at CRS
Blake Shelton was born in 1976, and he'll never miss an opportunity to prove that underneath his country shell, he's just a funky white boy at heart.
Carrie Underwood Strips Down for Intimate Songwriters Session at CRS
Carrie Underwood was in rare form on Wednesday night (Feb. 27), stripped down for a bare bones and relaxed version of not only her hit songs, but herself -- just Carrie. The superstar traded designer gowns for a more casual black pants, light jacket look to join top country songwriters Luke Laird, Hillary Lindsey and Josh Kear for a swap of songs, performed acoustically on a small Nashville stage
Mindy McCready Dead
Mindy McCready is dead. Local law enforcement has confirmed the news, also speculating that the country singer took her own life. She was 37.