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
Guns N’ Roses Fan Planning to Sue After Axl Rose’s Microphone Busts His Mouth
A Guns N' Roses fan named Darren Wright says he's preparing legal action after being hit in the mouth by Axl Rose's microphone at the end of the band's show on Saturday night (March 9) in Perth, Australia.
Steven Tyler on Taylor Swift: ‘She’s Hot’
Country star Taylor Swift has been known to date men her senior, but not senior citizens. Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler showed an interest in the hitmaker, in more ways than one. The famous ladies man split with fiancé Erin Brady in January.
Eagles Announce ‘History of the Eagles’ DVD/Blu-ray Release Date
Last month's two-episode Showtime documentary chronicling the rise and fall of the Eagles will be available on DVD and Blu-ray next month. The band announced today that 'History of the Eagles' will be released on April 30, and include a third disc featuring the group's performance at the Capital Centre in Landover, Md. in 1977.
Bad Company Announce All 40th Anniversary Summer 2013 Tour Dates
Bad Company has added nine tour stops to this year's previously announced co-headlining dates with Lynyrd Skynyrd. The 22 shows in the U.S. and Canada will round out the summer portion of their 40th Anniversary Tour.
Bob Weir Storms Off Stage During Acoustic Performance in California
(video contains swearing)
Monday night's (March 4) acoustic performance by Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead was cut short when Weir stood up and abruptly left the stage, mid-song. He was growing irritated with several chatty audience members, before leaving during Bob Dylan's 'A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall.'
Alice Cooper Reportedly to Tour With Marilyn Manson
A poster on Alice Cooper's official website seems to indicate the singer will be touring with shock-rocker Marilyn Manson this year. Details for two dates have even slipped out since fans and media noticed the artwork for a tour called the Masters of Madness: Shock Therapy Tour.
Recently Discovered Freddie Mercury Cemetery Marker Missing
A plaque that until this year few knew existed has gone missing. The marker is believed to represent the the final resting place of Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury, who died in 1991. For over 20 years no one knew where Mercury's ashes were scattered, and now the plaque believed to represent just that spot has seemingly blown away in the wind.
Eric Clapton Streaming Entire ‘Old Sock’ Album
Fans can now hear Eric Clapton's upcoming studio album in its entirety, one week before it's set to hit stores and digital retailers. 'Old Sock' will feature 10 covers and two originals when it's available on March 12. It's Clapton's 21st studio album.
Lynyrd Skynyrd and Bad Company Announce Co-Headlining 2013 Tour
Lynyrd Skynyrd and Bad Company are both celebrating 40 years in 2013, and they've teamed up to take a co-headling tour across America. The 40 Tour will begin on June 20 in Auburn, Wash. and travel east before wrapping up on July 27 in Bethel, N.Y.
Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready and Guns N’ Roses’ Duff McKagan Form New Supergroup
Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Duff Mckagan of Guns N' Roses and Barrett Martin of the Screaming Trees have formed three-fourths of a rock supergroup that will rely on a cast of vocalists to finish their debut album. As of now, the group doesn't have a name but that hasn't dammed their inspiration.
Eric Clapton Cites Hassles of Travel as Reason He’ll Stop Touring at 70
There's just 25 months left to see Eric Clapton on tour. The legendary guitarist says that he's going to quit the road life when he turns 70 years old because getting from show to show is too much of a pain. "The bit on stage, that's easy," he says before insisting he'll stay active playing around his hometown.
David Lee Roth on Difference Between Him and the Van Halens: ‘I’m Truly a Wanderer’
David Lee Roth doesn't mince words when it comes to what's kept Van Halen from playing Australia in recent years. The group announced they'll play the Stone Festival in Sydney this April. Roth suggests they'd tour the world regularly if it were up to him.