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
Metallica Take Control of Master Recordings, Form New Record Label
Metallica now answer to no one. After a 28-year relationship with Warner Music the hugely popular heavy metal band has formed their own record label, which will now house all of their master ("...master!") recordings, including songs and long form videos. Moving forward all releases will be under the Blackened Recordings banner.
Famous ‘Burned’ Jimi Hendrix Guitar Sold at Auction
Hopefully the Jimi Hendrix fan who dropped nearly $380K for a guitar that was allegedly torched on stage in 1967 didn't immediately begin searching for the fire damage. The famous, black Fender Stratocaster was sold at auction this week (Nov. 27) by James Wright, a manager at Hendrix's record label.
Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx to Marry Courtney Bingham
There will soon be a new Mrs. Sixx as Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx has announced he and girlfriend Courtney Bingham plan to marry. The two have been dating since November 2010; it's the third marriage for Sixx after unions to Playboy Playmate Brandi Brandt and actress Donna D'Errico.
AC/DC, Bob Dylan, Wings Recordings + More Amongst 2013 Grammy Hall of Fame Inductees
A list of 2013 Grammy Hall of Fame inductees includes plenty of songs and albums familiar to classic rock fans. Hits by AC/DC, Billy Joel, Paul McCartney & Wings, Bob Dylan and Elton John are amongst the 27 recordings chosen to be honored at the Grammy Museum. The Recording Academy made the announcement today (Nov. 21).
Mike McCready and Duff McKagan Cover ‘Voodoo Child’ at Jimi Hendrix Experience Music Project Concert
Fans would pay good money just to see one of the many artists that took the stage during Saturday night's (Nov. 17) Jimi Hendrix tribute concert at the Experience Music Project in Seattle, Wash. Amongst the dozen or so guitarists, Pearl Jam's Mike McCready left the biggest impression, according to reviews and confirmed in the below video of him playing 'Voodoo Child' with former Guns N' Roses bass
Nikki Sixx’s ‘The Heroin Diaries’ Coming to Broadway
Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx spent a year tirelessly logging the highs and lows of life as a drug-addled rockstar in his 2007 biography 'The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star.' Now the bassist says that year will be recreated on Broadway.
Aerosmith ‘Barely Speaking to Each Other’ According to Reports
After a tepid first week of sales of their new album 'Music From Another Dimension,' reports are surfacing that the members of Aerosmith are at odds once again. The new album -- their first of new music in a decade -- sold just 65K copies last week, ranking fifth overall on the Billboard album sales chart.
Def Leppard Announce Viva Hysteria! Residency in Las Vegas
Def Leppard has become the latest rock band to take up residency in one of Las Vegas's most famous casinos. The group announced today they'd begin a nine-show, three-week run in Sin City that includes their greatest hits, plus their 1987 album 'Hysteria' in its entirety.
Jimmy Page Promises 2013 Box Sets for Every Led Zeppelin Album
Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page says he's working on a number of projects for his old band, including remastering their nine albums as individual box sets. In an interview with Mojo, Page revealed that each will include extra music and bonus material.
The Who Announce Four Archival Releases for ‘Whovember’
This year Whovember follows October on the mod calendar. Fans of the Who will be able to purchase four separate collections of the band's music ranging from live performances to their debut record to all of their albums on vinyl. For the first time fans can also own the songs the classic rockers performed at the 2012 London Olympics.
The Beach Boys Announce 50th Anniversary Tour DVD
The Beach Boys captured highlights of their 50th anniversary tour for a new DVD and Blu-ray set to be released on Nov. 20. 'The Beach Boys: Live in Concert -- 50th Anniversary Tour' features 21 well-known hits and new songs from their 'That's Why God Made the Radio' album released earlier this year.
Fleetwood Mac Confirm They Will Tour in 2013
Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie of Fleetwood Mac will return to the road in 2013. There are no dates officially scheduled, but all parties have agreed on a tentative schedule of rehearsals, while keeping open the possibility of also creating new music.