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
David Bowie May Be Planning Live Comeback
Rumors of David Bowie's live comeback have fans buzzing. Depending on your source, the singer is planning a show at either Hyde Park or Olympic Park in London. Of course, all parties officially involved are remaining quiet ... mostly.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bob Dylan’s Maligned ‘Self Portrait’ Album Gets Reissued
'Self Portrait' isn't Bob Dylan's best album. In fact, the legendary singer-songwriter admits that he made the 1970 LP to anger fans in an attempt to get them off his back. Now a collection of covers and live cuts from the era will be reissued as part of a remastered four-disc box that also includes the original record, which a critic at the time called "s---."
The Kinks Reveal ‘Muswell Hillbillies’ Reissue Details
The Kinks's 1971 'Muswell Hillbillies' album was a critical success, but a commercial flop. The album -- their ninth -- will be reissued this fall with an abundance of bonus tracks. The original album included 12 songs; the reissue will contain 25.
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.
Jimmy Page’s Acoustic Guitar Sells for $39,000
An acoustic guitar played by Jimmy Page sold for more than $39,000 at an auction recently. The instrument was among a handful of pieces of rock memorabilia sold at Bonhams last week.
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.