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
Trent Harmon Wins ‘American Idol’
Trent Harmon, the American Idol underdog, won Season 15 of the reality show on Thursday night (April 7).
Texas Teen Asks Girlfriend to Prom … With Help From George Strait
Two teens in Texas are going to prom together, thanks to George Strait. The King didn't know he was lending Jake Koppelman a hand last weekend as he rolled out his plan to invite Cheyenne Cavanaugh to prom. But without his help ... who knows?
Remember What Garth Brooks Buried Under His Hollywood Walk of Fame Star?
He went to some pretty unusual lengths.
Dierks Bentley to Join Nashville Predators in Alumni Game
Dierks Bentley is a known hockey lover, and this weekend he’ll get to lace up his skates for real. The “Somewhere on a Beach” singer and 2016 ACM Awards host will take part in a Nashville Predators’ NHL alumni game on Sunday (Feb. 28).
8 Unforgettable Johnny Cash Moments
The late legend was a trailblazer for country music and one of the most influential of all time in any genre.
Blake Shelton, Little Big Town Star in Grammy Round of ‘Mean Tweets’ [NSFW]
Little Big Town and Blake Shelton read two of the best Mean Tweets on the latest edition of the video segment for Jimmy Kimmel Live, but Kelly Clarkson's is pretty good, too.
Don McLean and Wife Patrisha Moving Forward After Domestic Violence Charge
Don McLean is still facing domestic violence charges, but his wife Patrisha has agreed to dismiss an order of protection she made after the Jan. 18 incident. The couple is moving forward, with no plans to divorce.
Kix Brooks’ Sister Dies
Kix Brooks and his family are grieving this week. The singer shared that his older sister Midge has died, and he’ll be taking time to say his final goodbyes in her home state of Maine.
Willie Nelson Stars Alongside Harry Connick, Jr. in ‘Angels Sing’ Christmas Movie Clip – Exclusive Premiere
Willie Nelson plays a mysterious character named Nick in one of the year's more anticipated Christmas movies. 'Angels Sing' will be available on demand and in select theaters beginning Nov. 1. Watch the country legend star alongside Harry Connick, Jr. in this clip, premiering exclusively on Taste of Country.
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.
Surgery Forces Elton John to Postpone Summer Tour
Elton John has postponed all summer tour dates after an illness that came on during his recent European tour turned out to be much more serious. The singer is undergoing treatment and surgery for appendicitis, but says he'll be back on the road in September.
John Densmore and Robby Krieger May Bury Hatchet With Ray Manzarek Tribute
John Densmore and Robby Krieger were best friends when they were in the Doors, but then they started suing each other and their relationship turned sour. After more than a decade of animosity, they're reconnecting and may play a tribute to their former bandmate Ray Manzarek, who died of cancer in May.
Sting to Release First New Album in a Decade
It's been a decade since Sting last released a project with original material, and his upcoming album may actually stop short of being a true Sting album. 'The Last Ship' is scheduled for Sept. 24. It will be a collection of songs Sting helped write for a musical of the same name.
Taylor Swift to Join Rolling Stones in Chicago
The Rolling Stones announced that Taylor Swift will join them tonight (June 3) for the third of three shows in Chicago, Ill. Previous special guests for the dates at the United Center included Sheryl Crow on May 31 and bluesman Taj Mahal on May 28.
Bruce Springsteen Joins the Dropkick Murphys on Boston Marathon Bombings Benefit CD
This week, Boston-based Celtic-punk band DropKick Murphys released a three-song EP to benefit the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings. One song features Bruce Springsteen, who sought out the group in hours after the April 15 bombing.
Harry Nilsson ‘The RCA Albums Collection’ Box Set Announced
Harry Nilsson's decade-long recording career with RCA records will be packaged in a comprehensive artist box set scheduled for a June 30 release.