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
These Are the Faces and Stories of the Las Vegas Shooting Victims
58 people were killed when a lone gunman opened fire at the Las Vegas Route 91 Harvest Festival on Oct. 1, 2017.
Las Vegas Shooter’s Brother Describes Him as a Very Ordinary Man
The brother of the man responsible for the deaths of more than 50 people at the Las Vegas Route 91 Harvest Festival says he's dumbfounded by the news.
What Would Elvis Presley Look Like if He Were Still Alive?
Elvis Presley died nearly 40 years ago, and every day since, fans have been wondering what could have been. How much more great music would he have made? How many more movies would he have starred in? And what would Elvis look like today if he didn't die on Aug. 16, 1977?
Trent Harmon Wins ‘American Idol’
Trent Harmon, the American Idol underdog, won Season 15 of the reality show on Thursday night (April 7).
Dolly Parton Asking for Help Finding Kidney Donor for Longtime Friend
Dolly Parton is asking for a Christmas miracle. The country superstar has made a public plea to fans, seeking a kidney donor for her longtime friend and attorney Jerry Edelstein.
When Eddie Van Halen Served as Michael Jackson’s Secret Sideman
He said he did the solo on the third radio single from 'Thriller' for free.
John Lennon’s Childhood Home Going to Auction
The current owner of John Lennon's boyhood home is looking for a larger garden, so he's putting the historic red-bricked terrace house up for auction later this month. The late Beatle's first home will go to the highest bidder on Oct. 29.
Ted Nugent’s Wife Says She Forgot About Loaded Gun at Airport
Shemane Nugent, the 51-year-old wife of rocker Ted Nugent, says she forgot about the loaded revolver in her luggage as she attempted to get through security at the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport on Aug. 29. She said she was carrying the gun for protection because she had received death threats.
Man Sets World Record With 813-Piece Drum Set
Mark Temperato's drum kit weighs two-and-a-half tons and includes 813 individually assembled pieces that the Lakeville, N.Y., resident can reach without taking a step. That's a world record, according to the folks at Guinness, who know about such things.
Derek Watkins, Trumpet Player for the Beatles, Eric Clapton, James Bond + More, Dead at 68
If you've seen any of the 23 James Bond movies, you're familiar with British trumpet player Derek Watkins. The session player also sat in with Eric Clapton, the Beatles, Elton John and more during a nearly 50-year career. Watkins died on Friday (March 22) after a two year battle with cancer.
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.
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.