Billy Dukes

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.

Scotty McCreery, ‘Christmas With Scotty McCreery’ – Album Review

Scotty McCreery shares a warm holiday hug with many of the most well-known Christmas classics on his new 'Christmas With Scotty McCreery' album. From top to bottom, this is a consistent project that takes few chances, but offers 11 pleasant recordings to easily slip into one's yearly holiday playlist.

Blake Shelton, ‘Cheers, It’s Christmas’ – Album Review

Blake Shelton sets a high bar for 2012 holiday albums with 'Cheers, It's Christmas,' his new collection of originals and classics. The singer with the sharpest tongue in Nashville doesn't seem like a natural fit to reminisce of yuletide fun, but he's supported by a strong stable of backup singers and collaborative partners on this offering.

Casey James, JB and the Moonshine Band to Lead 2012 Taste of Country Christmas Tour

Casey James will bring fellow Texans JB and the Moonshine Band on the road with him this fall as they take the Taste of Country Christmas Tour across the southern United States. The 11-stop run pairs two of the hottest young acts in country music on a trip through Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas during the holiday season.

Blake Shelton Working on Christmas Album

Blake Shelton seems to be working on new music. According to Nashville keyboard player Gordon Mote, Shelton is working on a Christmas album. "Had a great day working on a new @BlakeShelton Christmas album," Mote tweeted on Wednesday. "He's pretty fantastic!"

Sunny Sweeney Recalls Tradition of Giving During the Holidays

Sunny Sweeney remembers growing up poor. The 'From a Table Away' singer says she and her mom -- a single parent -- struggled, but they always remembered to help those even less fortunate during the holidays. It was truly the season of giving in the Sweeney household.

Picture of the Week: Scotty McCreery Dons Ugly Christmas Sweater

Scotty McCreery tweeted for everyone to wear an ugly Christmas sweater on Wednesday, and it looks like he followed through with his own request. A fan tweeted this photo of the 'American Idol' winner. More shocking than the outdated threads is whose closet he raided to find it -- his mother's -- all in good fun, though. McCreery will surely be back to blue jeans and cowboy dress shirts in time for

Reba McEntire’s Christmas Tradition Remembers the Reason for the Season

This year, Christmas in the McEntire household will begin as it does every year. Reba McEntire and her family have a quirky but refreshing tradition to kick off the celebration: They sing 'Happy Birthday' to Jesus.

Top 10 George Strait Christmas Songs

George Strait has released five Christmas albums in his 30 plus years as a recording artist. Beginning with 'Merry Christmas Strait to You' -- his 1986 album of classics and traditionals -- the King has consistently put a Texas stamp on the holidays.

Gloriana’s Rachel Reinert Isn’t Expecting a Ring This Christmas

After a turbulent 2011 that included the departure of Cheyenne Kimball from Gloriana, Rachel Reinert says she's grateful for a little time off this Christmas. Any gift will be gravy. While the remaining three members of the band don't exchange presents, she will be spending time and swapping gifts with her boyfriend of two years this Christmas. Could this be a season of magic and romance for the 2

Tanya Tucker, ‘Merry Christmas Wherever You Are’ – Song Review

Tanya Tucker says she's been holding onto her newest song for 10 or 11 years, but the time is finally right to release 'Merry Christmas Wherever You Are.' It's a delicate and touching lyric, but the production feels about 10 or 11 years old. Maybe older.