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
Beyonce’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ Album: 16 Easter Eggs Fans Should Listen For
Beyonce's massive new album requires a cheat sheet.
20 Years Ago: Ex-Kiss Guitarist Bruce Kulick Almost Shot to Death
Two stray bullets came within a couple of inches – or less – of killing him on Sunset Boulevard.
Leslie Jordan Dead at 67
Leslie Jordan released an album of gospel hymns in 2021 that featured many top country names.
When Eddie Van Halen Served as Michael Jackson’s Secret Sideman
He said he did the solo on the third radio single from 'Thriller' for free.
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.
Alice Cooper, Kiss And Vince Neil To Perform At Rock Academy Benefit
Almost eight months after opening its doors with a superstar week of rock music, the Brennan Rock & Roll Academy is lining up more talent to raise money for the music school. Alice Cooper and Kiss will be there again, as will Vince Neil, Rob Zombie and others.
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.
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 [Video]
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.
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.
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.
Jimmy Page’s Acoustic Guitar Sells For $39,000
An acoustic guitar played by Jimmy Page sold for more than $39,000 at an auction recently. The instrument was among a handful of pieces of rock memorabilia sold at Bonhams last week.
Man Plays AC/DC on Flaming Bagpipes
For a funeral or Thanksgiving Day parade, bagpipes are great. But for a rock song? An Australian man will leave you thinking differently after watching his performance of AC/DC's 'Thunderstruck' on the instrument. Making the whole thing even more awesome: The bagpipes shoot fire.
‘Sammy Hagar And Friends’ Album To Include Kid Rock, Nancy Wilson, Neal Schon + More
Sammy Hagar has invited nearly a dozen friends, current and former bandmates to join him on 'Sammy Hagar and Friends,' his new studio album due in stores Sept. 24. Kid Rock, Journey's Neal Schon, Chickenfoot's Chad Smith and Joe Satriani and members of Montrose are amongst the stars announced this morning.
Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert Blu-Ray to Include Previously Unavailable Performances
In 1992 the surviving members of Queen invited friends and fellow musicians to pay tribute to the late Freddie Mercury. The concert included performances from over a dozen top rock and pop artists of the day, from David Bowie to Guns N' Roses to Metallica and Def Leppard. Later this summer 34 different performances from that night will be available on 'The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert: The Defi
Nikki Sixx Thanks Fans For Support After Mother’s Death
Nikki Sixx thanked fans for their words of support following the June 8 death of his mother Deana Richards. Sixx shared the news via Twitter early Sunday morning. Details of her passing have not been made available.
Def Leppard’s Vivian Campbell Reveals Cancer Diagnosis
Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell revealed his cancer diagnosis this afternoon. Campbell says he has Hodgkin's Lymphoma and is two months in to the six months of prescribed chemotherapy. He'll tour with the band on the European and North American tours this June and July.
Ozzy Osbourne A ‘Real Man’ For Admitting To Relapse, Says Daughter Kelly
Ozzy Osbourne's daughter Kelly has nothing but respect for her father despite his recent drug and alcohol relapse. The actress and singer says it took courage for him to recognize his problem and to admit it to the world via Facebook.
Kiss Performs Unmasked Set at Restaurant Opening
Diners at the new Rock & Brews in Torrance, Calif. might not have recognized the famous owners of the eatery as they took the stage. Kiss played with out makeup and costumes for about 20 minutes during the grand opening on Wednesday (May 8).