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
Andy Summers Introduces New Band
The debut album by former Police guitarist Andy Summers' new band, Circa Zero, is recorded and mastered. But they're still trying to decide how, and with whom, to release the record, even though they played their first show last month in Los Angeles.
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.
Bon Jovi Guitarist Richie Sambora Releases New Solo Track
Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora isn't currently working with the band, but that doesn't mean he isn't working. Sambora surprised everyone by dropping the link to a new song on Twitter recently. 'Come Back as Me' came on Monday, during a conversation with his followers.
Roger Waters Responds to Star of David Controversy
Roger Waters is fighting back after being called "an open hater of Jews." In an open letter to fans, the Pink Floyd singer refutes Rabbi Abraham Cooper's claims following Waters' use of the Star of David on a pig during a July 18 show in Belgium.
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.
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.
Ted Nugent Slams Stevie Wonder’s Florida Boycott
Rocker Ted Nugent was asked recently what he thought of musicians like Stevie Wonder boycotting the state of Florida until they repeal the "Stand Your Ground" law that became the centerpiece of the George Zimmerman / Trayvon Martin case this summer. "How brain-dead do you have to be," Nugent asked, before taking Wonder to task for his decision.