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
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
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.
David Bowie and Freddie Mercury’s ‘Under Pressure’ Session Fueled by Wine and Cocaine
An audio track of David Bowie and Freddie Mercury laying down vocals for the 1981 Queen hit 'Under Pressure' surfaced a while back, bringing with it writer Mark Blake's account of the song's wild, and eventually tumultuous, writing and recording sessions. The two stars trade vocals without any instrumental distraction, but Blake claims that the singers recorded their parts separately and privately
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.
Allman Brothers Band Releasing ‘Brothers and Sisters’ 40th Anniversary Box Set
The seven-song 1973 Allman Brothers Band 'Brothers and Sisters' album is the focus of a new box set set to hit stores this summer. The group is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the iconic album with a release that's expected to include significant bonus material.
Kiss Performs Unmasked Set at Restaurant Opening
Diners at the new Rock & Brews in Torrance, Calif. might not have recognized the famous owners of the eatery as they took the stage. Kiss played with out makeup and costumes for about 20 minutes during the grand opening on Wednesday (May 8).
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.
Meat Loaf on Drinking Urine: ‘It Was an Allergy Thing’
Meat Loaf says he's never drank his own urine, but he knows people -- famous people -- who have. The singer does cop to injecting a solution that included his urine however, but it's really not as strange as it seems.
Stephen Stills, Kenny Wayne Shepherd Team Up for Blues Album
Stephen Stills is set to release a blues album this summer. He's formed a new trio called the Rides with guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Electric Flag keyboardist Barry Goldberg, and their album 'Can't Get Enough' is set for a July 30 release.