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
Bob Weir Storms Off Stage During Acoustic Performance in California
(video contains swearing)
Monday night's (March 4) acoustic performance by Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead was cut short when Weir stood up and abruptly left the stage, mid-song. He was growing irritated with several chatty audience members, before leaving during Bob Dylan's 'A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall.'
Ted Nugent Explains ‘Black Power 2013′ Tour Name
Rocker Ted Nugent, who by his own proclamation has less than two months to live (at least as a free man), has named his upcoming summer tour Black Power 2013 to honor the African-American musical heroes that inspired him. In a column at World Net Daily, Nugent explains how he is standing up for blacks, and how Democrats and President Obama are "a clear and present engineer of the destruction
Paul McCartney Mistaken for Street Busker in New Orleans
Paul McCartney and his wife Nancy Shevell were in New Orleans for Super Bowl Sunday, and over the weekend he found himself on a street car with fellow revelers. The former Beatle used the time to serenade those around him with hits from the Fab Four's catalog, but most thought he was a lowly busker who would soon ask for tips.
Dave Grohl’s ‘Sound City’ Documentary to Hit Theaters on Jan. 31
After premiering at the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 18, Dave Grohl's 'Sound City' documentary will be released to theaters in cities across the country. The one-night-only event will take place in over 40 cities on Jan. 31, with additional one-night showings on Feb. 1, Feb. 7, Feb. 15, Feb. 20 and Feb. 22.
Ozzy Osbourne’s Wife Sharon Blasts Lady Gaga for Wearing Meat
Today's "Awww… snap" moment of the day goes to Ozzy Osbourne's wife Sharon, who typed a scorching response to Lady Gaga's open letter to daughter Kelly Osbourne recently. The Osbourne Matron is fighting back against the pop-singer and her 32 million "monsters" on Twitter, who have been harassing the E! channel hostess, even going as far as death threats.
Crosby Stills & Nash Announce 2013 Tour Dates
Crosby, Stills & Nash will give fans an encore of their critically acclaimed 2012 tour this spring and summer, although you may need to travel to see the trio play. The rockers have announced 23 shows for 2013, including 13 in the southeastern United States and 10 in Europe.
Bon Jovi, ‘Because We Can’ – Song Review
The lead single from Bon Jovi's upcoming 'What About Now' album is as pop-friendly as anything the group has released. Bright production and a message of inspiration turn 'Because We Can' into a song mainstream radio may embrace like the latest 'American Idol' contestant. Fans of more authentic, grit-songs will need to keep digging.
Metallica’s ‘Black Album’ Certified 16-Times Platinum
Metallica's self-titled 1991 record, aka 'The Black Album,' is already the best-selling album of the SoundScan era, and now they're pulling away from the pack. 'Metallica' received its 16-times platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America in December, meaning (as you might guess) that it has surpassed 16 million in sales. The certification was one of 10 awarded to the
NFL Player Jovan Belcher’s Murder-Suicide Pits Ted Nugent Against Bob Costas on Gun Control
Bob Costas does not have a fan in rocker Ted Nugent. During Sunday night's halftime commentary on NBC's 'Football Night in America,' the famed sportscaster quoted and paraphrased another sportswriter's argument for gun control in the wake of the murder-suicide by linebacker Jovan Belcher that rocked the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL on Saturday. Nugent spent Monday morning responding.