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
Kiss Enters the Bull Riding Arena
Meet the newest, meanest bulls on the bull riding circuit. There's Kiss Monster, Kiss Destroyer, Kiss Animalize, Kiss Revenge, Kiss Love Gun and Kiss Psycho Circus. All are trained and eager to buck the top 35 bull riders from the Professional Bull Riders around for years to come.
Led Zeppelin Turned Down Bill Clinton’s Reunion Request
Details of how so many A-list performers agreed to take the stage at Madison Square Garden for the 12-12-12 Superstorm Sandy relief concert last December are beginning to emerge, as is the name of one band who simply said no. Led Zeppelin turned down a chance to reunite for the cause, at the personal request of former president Bill Clinton.
Adler Postpones Summer Tour as Steven Adler Enters Rehab
Adler founder and former Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler has entered rehab, forcing his band to postpone their summer 2013 U.S. tour. Over 40 dates were scheduled through early September, which representatives of Adler say they hope to reschedule this fall.
Axl Rose Planning to Buy a Tiger?
Only a man of some social significance knows where to buy a tiger, and it seems Axl Rose may qualify. The Guns N' Roses singer was heard discussing his plans to purchase a big cat during a wild Monday night that included Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill and a "harem of ladies."
Iron Maiden Drummer Nicko McBrain’s Wife Accused of Assault
The wife of Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain was arrested and charged with domestic battery earlier this year, and she'll have her date in court next month. Rebecca McBrain will face a judge on May 3 after being accused of trying to stab her husband*, and throw logs at him.
Slash, Anthrax Tear Through AC/DC’s ‘T.N.T.’ in Los Angeles
Slash surprised fans of Anthrax at the House of Blues in Los Angeles on Wednesday night (March 27) by taking the stage to play guitar on 'T.N.T.,' the AC/DC song Anthrax chose for their new album of covers called 'Anthems.' The band turned in a pretty convincing rendition, captured on the fan video below.
Dio to Release 1986 Concert in Multiple Formats
Fans of the late, great Ronnie James Dio and his band Dio can relive the group's glory years with the upcoming re-release of a 1986 concert in Philadelphia. 'Finding the Sacred Heart -- Live in Philly 1986' will be available on CD, vinyl, DVD and Blu-ray on May 28.
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.
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.
Motley Crue Reveal 2013 Canadian Tour Dates
After finishing up their 2013 Australian tour, Motley Crue will take a short break and head north to Canada for the band's most extensive tour of the country ever. Vince Neil, Mick Mars, Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee announced 18 dates in six provinces on Monday.
Vince Neil Shoots Down New Motley Crue Album Rumors
There won't be new Motley Crue music coming in 2013, and there may never be another full-length album from the hard-rockers. Vince Neil says there may be an EP in the band's future, but 2014 is as early as that would surface.
Guns N’ Roses DJ Ashba Defends Axl Rose, Says ‘He Treats Us Like Gold’
He might not be Big Ben of rock stars, but Axl Rose is not the jerk he's portrayed as in the media, his guitarist says. Guns N' Roses' DJ Ashba explained why they are often late to the stage and defended his lead singer as a nice guy in a recent interview.