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
2014 CMA Awards Nominees Revealed
The 2014 CMA Awards nominees have been announced!
Willie Nelson’s Luck Ranch Severely Damaged by Texas Tornado
Bad luck -- in the form of an angry tornado -- struck Willie Nelson's Luck, Texas ranch last week, leaving devastation after the storms rolled through the state.
Paul Walker Dead at 40: Country Artists React
Late Saturday evening (Nov. 30), the tragic news hit the internet hard: Paul Walker is dead. The ‘Fast and Furious ' star, 40, was killed in a single-car crash on Saturday afternoon after leaving a charity event.
Kelly Clarkson Pregnant!
First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes ... well, you know! Kelly Clarkson is pregnant, having officially confirmed the news that many were expecting to come soon.
Kip Moore Documentary Shows Desire to Keep Fueling the Fire
"It all starts with a song," Kip Moore echoes in his new 'Burn the Whole World Down' documentary, referencing a quote on the wall at BMI in Nashville. He's a firm believer in that saying -- in fact, it's become somewhat of a mantra for the 'Hey Pretty Girl' singer.
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?
Lady Antebellum Perform Last Set Before Hillary Scott Gives Birth at 2013 Taste of Country Festival – Pictures
On Saturday night (June 15), Lady Antebellum took the stage for the last time before Hillary Scott becomes a mother. The trio stunned the crowd at the first-ever Taste of Country Music Festival, ending the three-day event in a way only they could.
Hunter Hayes Proves Why He Deserved an Invite to Hunter Mountain at 2013 ToC Fest – Pictures
It's only a coincidence that Hunter Hayes played Hunter Mountain -- where the 2013 Taste of Country Music Festival officially set up camp -- on Saturday afternoon (June 15), but he owned the crowd as if the rolling green hills had actually been named for him.
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.
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
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.
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.
Savannah Berry Covers Taylor Swift’s ‘Safe and Sound,’ Joins Team Blake on ‘The Voice’
It's likely that Blake Shelton's fellow 'The Voice' judges are kicking themselves after the three-time reigning winner snagged country singer Savannah Berry on Tuesday night's (April 2) episode. Berry, just 17, performed a rendition of Taylor Swift's 'Safe and Sound' (featuring the Civil Wars) that impressed not only the superstars on the show, but Kelly Clarkson as well.
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.