Billy Dukes is a Senior Editor and Executive Producer at Taste of Country, where he has over 11,000 articles to his name. His media background includes jobs as music director at WQDR 94.7 in Raleigh, N.C.; writer for Recoil Magazine, a monthly out of Grand Rapids, Mich.; and writer for the Kalamazoo Gazette in Kalamazoo, Mich. The Western Michigan University graduate followed a girl to Raleigh in 2006 and wisely married her one year later. In 2014, they moved to Nashville, where they now live with their three sons. In his free time, Billy enjoys playing and watching baseball, cycling and home renovation.
Billy Dukes
Route 91 Festival Performers Mark Themselves Safe After Mass Shooting
A dozen country artists plus their band and crew were at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival when gunfire broke out. Most have let fans know they are safe after the Las Vegas attacks.
Steven Tyler, ‘Love Is Your Name’ – Song Review
Steven Tyler isn’t just dipping a toe into country music. With “Love Is Your Name” the Aerosmith frontman dives head-first into the genre.
Jon Bon Jovi Gives Bride Surprise of Her Life
One Bon Jovi fan made it her mission to convince Jon Bon Jovi to walk her down the aisle on her wedding day, and it worked! The singer showed up to escort Branka Delic to her groom during a ceremony at the Graceland Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas on Saturday. The singer offered picture proof of the accident.
Grateful Dead Beer’s Secret Ingredient Is Something Very Grateful Deady
A new Grateful Dead beer will be hitting the market this fall. The band worked with Dogfish Head Craft Brewery to create American Beauty, a "bold pale ale made with 100 percent U.S.-grown ingredients." But it took a suggestion from a fan to get the mix just right.
Boston to Release First Album in 11 Years
Boston will reportedly release their first album since 2002 this fall. It's the sixth from the classic band, and the first to be released since singer Brad Delp committed suicide in 2007.
Lindsey Buckingham Says New Fleetwood Mac Album Depends on Stevie Nicks
There will be a new album from Fleetwood Mac when -- or if -- Stevie Nicks is able to commit songs she's written for the band and not her solo album. That's according to Lindsey Buckingham, who recently said the group's recording future depend on Nicks.
Elton John Drummer Roger Pope Dead at 66
Roger Pope was one of Elton John's early bandmates, playing drums on the piano man's early demos and later going on to tour and recording six albums with him. The Whitestable, U.K., native died on Sept. 17 at the age of 66.
Black Sabbath Announce Live DVD
A live DVD release will close out what has been a very, very good year for fans of Black Sabbath. The band has announced they'll release 'Black Sabbath: Live ... Gathered in Their Masses' on Nov. 26. The footage comes from two Black Sabbath tour dates from this past spring. And it's probably not a coincidence that the announcement comes on Friday the 13th.
NIkki Sixx Says Sebastian Bach Was Never Asked to Join Motley Crue
Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx says the story that Sebastian Bach is telling about being asked to join Motley Crue is simply not true. Last week, the Skid Row singer said he was asked to replace Vince Neil when the singer left the group in 1992. Sixx said it never happened.
Steven Tyler Joins Keith Urban in Nashville
Fans at Tootsie's in Nashville got a shock last weekend when Steven Tyler emerged from the crowd to join Keith Urban on stage. The country superstar was playing the honky tonk as part of a promotional tour for his new 'Fuse' album when he summoned the Aerosmith singer with the riff from 'La Grange' by ZZ Top.
Bruce Springsteen, Roger Waters Added to ‘Stand Up for Heroes’ Benefit Concert
A number of familiar faces will be returning to New York City this November for the seventh annual 'Stand Up for Heroes' benefit concert. Bruce Springsteen, Roger Waters and 'Daily Show' host Jon Stewart are among a list of initially confirmed performers. Jerry Seinfeld will also perform, with more expected to be named later.
Watch Black Sabbath Go Behind the Scenes of Halloween Horror Nights
The creative director of Universal Studios Hollywood caught up with Black Sabbath in Austin recently and showed Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler what 'Black Sabbath 13 3D' -- a new attraction at the annual Halloween Horror Nights based on the group's music and recent album -- will look like. Fans also get a preview of the scares in the above clip.