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
ZZ Top Perform As Quintet for First Time
Earlier this month, ZZ Top performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival and wanted to do something for the festival's founder, Claude Nobs. Nobs -- a good friend of Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard and Dusty Hill -- died in January at the age of 76.
The Kinks Reveal ‘Muswell Hillbillies’ Reissue Details
The Kinks's 1971 'Muswell Hillbillies' album was a critical success, but a commercial flop. The album -- their ninth -- will be reissued this fall with an abundance of bonus tracks. The original album included 12 songs; the reissue will contain 25.
Rolling Stones Lyric Banned From Man’s Tombstone
The Church of England will not allow the tombstone of a recently deceased man to have the modified lyric of a Rolling Stones song etched into it. The family of Charles Clapham hoped to use the line "It was only rock 'n' roll" as an epitaph, but the church dismissed the idea as flippant.
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
Lindsey Buckingham to Guest on Nine Inch Nails Album
More details about Nine Inch Nails' new album have been released, including the track-listing, release date and list of collaborators.
Primal Scream (Feat. Robert Plant), ‘Elimination Blues’ – Song Review
It's not quite accurate to say Primal Scream use Robert Plant for backing vocals on 'Elimination Blues.' The Led Zeppelin lead singer is more of an instrument, used to sweeten an experimental blues song. It's a bold move to ignore the temptation to put Plant in a starring role.
Tedeschi Trucks Band Share New Song From Upcoming ‘Made Up Mind’ Album
The Tedeschi Trucks Band has revealed a song called 'Part of Me' as the first offering from their upcoming 'Made Up Mind' album. The uptempo, soulful blues track features a revved up Susan Tedeschi singing over husband Derek Trucks' signature guitar. A powerful horn and backup vocal section lay a foundation for the vibrant new cut, available to stream through Ultimate Classic Rock.
Black Sabbath Explore Themes of Greed, War and Religon in New ‘God Is Dead?’ Video
The images used to create the nearly nine-minute-long Black Sabbath video for 'God Is Dead?' come from a wide range of places. Little new footage was shot for the just-released clip. Instead director Peter Joseph borrowed from his previous works and archival Sabbath footage.