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
FGL’s Brian Kelley Leads Inspiring ‘No More Chemo’ Party During St. Jude Concert in Nashville
Actually, St. Jude patient Ian was the star.
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.
The History of Eddie Van Halen’s Guitar Solo on Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It’
Eddie Van Halen talks about how he created his guitar solo on Michael Jackson's 'Beat It.'
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Metallica Announce ‘Through the Never’ Soundtrack Details
Three days before 'Metallica Through the Never' hits more than 300 IMAX theaters, the band will release the movie's soundtrack album. The record will be available on Sept. 24 and feature many of the band's biggest hits performed live.