Billy Dukes

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.

Crosby, Stills Nash & Young to Play Bridge School Benefit Concert

Call it luck or great planning. All four members of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young will be together again on Oct. 26-27 for the Bridge School Benefit Concert in Mountain View, Calif. The show will no doubt whet the appetite of fans of the band, especially those anticipating a 40th anniversary tour in 2014.

Kenny Loggins Hosts ‘Grand Theft Auto V”s Classic Rock Station

The soundtrack and score to the upcoming 'Grand Theft Auto V' video game is packed with well-known stars of hip-hop, rock, soul and classic rock. Kenny Loggins will host the classic-rock station heard in the game, which will be released on Sept. 17.

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.

Neil Young Cancels Upcoming North American Tour Dates

Crazy Horse guitarist Frank 'Poncho' Sampedro's broken hand is to blame for the four additional tour dates cancelled on Neil Young's itinerary. Today the group announced they're pulling out of all shows through Sept. 7.

27 Years Ago: Def Leppard’s Rick Allen Makes His First Post-Accident Concert Appearance

The only thing more awe inspiring than Rick Allen's physical recovery from a car accident that left him with one arm is the way that the Def Leppard drummer overcame immeasurable mental anguish in order to return to the stage on Aug. 16, 1986. Allen never allowed himself the time to roll around in the stink of self-pity. Today, he is trying to teach others -- including wounded war veterans -- how

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.

Jeff Beck Will Join Brian Wilson on Tour

Jeff Beck will team up with Brian Wilson for an 18-date tour this fall. The run begins on Sept. 27 in Florida before working up the East Coast and then zigzagging across the country for a final date on Oct. 27 in Akron. Wilson's fellow Beach Boys Al Jardine and David Marks will also join him onstage.

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.

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.

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.

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.