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
Crosby, Stills Nash & Young to Play Bridge School Benefit Concert
Call it luck or great planning. All four members of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young will be together again on Oct. 26-27 for the Bridge School Benefit Concert in Mountain View, Calif. The show will no doubt whet the appetite of fans of the band, especially those anticipating a 40th anniversary tour in 2014.
Ted Nugent’s Wife Says She Forgot About Loaded Gun at Airport
Shemane Nugent, the 51-year-old wife of rocker Ted Nugent, says she forgot about the loaded revolver in her luggage as she attempted to get through security at the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport on Aug. 29. She said she was carrying the gun for protection because she had received death threats.
Metallica Rumored to Play at Baseball Star’s Retirement Ceremony
Even if it is just rumor, it's a pretty good idea. For nearly two decades, New York Yankees' closer Mariano Rivera has been using Metallica's 'Enter Sandman' as his entrance song in the ninth inning. As he prepares to retire this year, some think the band could return the favor by showing up for his retirement ceremony at Yankee Stadium.
Neil Young Cancels Upcoming North American Tour Dates
Crazy Horse guitarist Frank 'Poncho' Sampedro's broken hand is to blame for the four additional tour dates cancelled on Neil Young's itinerary. Today the group announced they're pulling out of all shows through Sept. 7.
27 Years Ago: Def Leppard’s Rick Allen Makes His First Post-Accident Concert Appearance
The only thing more awe inspiring than Rick Allen's physical recovery from a car accident that left him with one arm is the way that the Def Leppard drummer overcame immeasurable mental anguish in order to return to the stage on Aug. 16, 1986. Allen never allowed himself the time to roll around in the stink of self-pity. Today, he is trying to teach others -- including wounded war veterans -- how
Motley Crue Song Interrupts Diamondbacks Pitcher on the Mound
Motley Crue's 'Kickstart My Heart' interrupted Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher J.J. Putz on Saturday night, causing him to spike the ball into the mound during a game against the New York Mets. Even though Vince Neil and the rest of the band weren't actually at the ballpark, their 1989 song managed to cause some chaos on the diamond.
James Hetfield Turned Down Sammy Hagar … But It’s Cool
Almost as interesting as the artists Sammy Hagar is collaborating with on his upcoming 'Sammy Hagar and Friends' album is the list of artists he couldn't find time to record with. One, Metallica's James Hetfield, turned down Hagar's invitation, but the Red Rocker says he understands why.
Megadeth Cover Metallica’s ‘Phantom Lord’ With Jason Newsted
With two former members of Metallica touring the continent together as part of Gigantour 2013, it was pretty much a given that Megadeth's Dave Mustaine and Jason Newsted would share a stage at some point. It took a while, but that collaboration finally took place last night (Aug. 11) in Toronto.
Stevie Nicks and Lady Antebellum ‘Crossroads’ Gets Airdate
In January, Stevie Nicks shared a stage with country superstars Lady Antebellum to record an episode of CMT's 'Crossroads.' After seven months, there's finally an airdate.
Jeff Beck Will Join Brian Wilson on Tour
Jeff Beck will team up with Brian Wilson for an 18-date tour this fall. The run begins on Sept. 27 in Florida before working up the East Coast and then zigzagging across the country for a final date on Oct. 27 in Akron. Wilson's fellow Beach Boys Al Jardine and David Marks will also join him onstage.
Bill Ward Opens Up About His Black Sabbath Reunion No-Show
For original Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward, there's a simple explanation as to why he didn't record or tour with his bandmates. "I was offered a contract, and I couldn't sign it," he said in a recent interview. He refutes suggestions that he wasn't physically up to the task.
Man Sets World Record With 813-Piece Drum Set
Mark Temperato's drum kit weighs two-and-a-half tons and includes 813 individually assembled pieces that the Lakeville, N.Y., resident can reach without taking a step. That's a world record, according to the folks at Guinness, who know about such things.