Billy Dukes

Craig Campbell vs. Gloriana – The Showdown
Fans showed excitement for Craig Campbell‘s upcoming album by moving his new single ‘Outta My Head’ past Chris Cagle‘s ‘Let There Be Cowgirls’ to another day on the Taste of Country Showdown. The competition gets tougher today and tonight on Taste of Country Nights radio. The ‘Family Man’ singer will square off against one of the hottest new groups in country music.

High Valley, ‘Love You for a Long Time’ – Song Review
High Valley‘s tight harmonies and bluegrass influenced pop-country sound will be new to American audiences, but the sibling trio proves that their success in Canada wasn’t just a fluke. ‘Love You for a Long Time,’ the debut single on Eaglemont Entertainment, is a professional recording one usually doesn’t find from a baby act. This group is clearly a seasoned — but still exciting — voice to keep a

Trace Adkins Says New Song ‘Tough People Do’ Is for Anyone Who Believes in Hard Work
Trace Adkins says he wasn’t trying to make a political statement when he performed his new song, ‘Tough People Do,’ at the Republican National Convention earlier this week. The singer says the tube — referred to as a red, white and blue anthem of strength and courage at his website — is meant to remind Americans that the solution to fix this country is within all of us, regardless of political af

Alan Jackson vs. Tyler Farr – The Showdown
Alan Jackson fans stepped up in a big way on Thursday, pushing the country music legend’s new single to another day on the Showdown. ‘You Go Your Way’ ousted newcomer Jason Cassidy, although it was close until the phone voting from Taste of Country Nights radio began. That makes three in a row for Jackson.

LeAnn Rimes Enters 30-Day Treatment Facility
One day after celebrating her 30th birthday, LeAnn Rimes announced she will be taking 30 days off to “cope with anxiety and stress” in an in-patient treatment facility. The singer voluntarily entered the facility on Wednesday (August 28) with full support from her husband, actor Eddie Cibrian.

Trace Adkins Performs ‘GOP Theme Song’ ‘Tough People Do’ at Republican National Convention
Trace Adkins performed what at least one news outlet called the GOP theme song after Ann Romney’s speech at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla. on Tuesday night. ‘Tough People Do’ is a new song that reminds listeners that while times might be tough, so are we.

Shania Twain: Pictures Through the Years
Happy birthday to Shania Twain today, August 28! The singer has offered cutting-edge country music and fashion in the 18 years since releasing ‘The Woman With Me’ in 1995. While this wasn’t her debut album, its success (over 12 million copies sold in the U.S. alone) changed the landscape of country music forever.

Alan Jackson vs. High Valley – The Showdown
Fans responded passionately to Alan Jackson‘s new single, ‘You Go Your Way,’ yesterday and last night in the Taste of Country Nights Showdown. The song easily ousted ‘Ex-Old Man’ by Kristen Kelly, meaning the country legend will move on to face a new challenger. Today, that’s another act new to American country music fans.

Favorite Jake Owen Song? – Readers Poll
Jake Owen celebrates his birthday today (Aug. 30), and as the singer looks back on many years of life and steps toward 31, he will find reason to argue it was his best ever. Two No. 1 hits, a marriage, a baby on the way and a spot on the biggest summer tour of the year with Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw? It doesn’t get better. The ‘Barefoot Blue Jean Night’ singer has set a high bar, releasing some

Darius Rucker, ‘True Believers’ – Song Review
Darius Rucker takes a simple story of two lovers who defy odds and skeptics and places it gently on a cloud in the stratosphere — a place few others can reach. ‘True Believers’ begins as a mild and unremarkable pop-country song before clever production and Rucker’s unforgettable voice find one soaring in the euphoria.

Joanna Smith, ‘We Can’t Be Friends’ – Song Review
If Joanna Smith‘s new single ‘We Can’t Be Friends’ was released 30 years ago, we might call it a classic in 2012. Since the singer is relatively new, however (the sexy single ‘Georgia Mud’ barely cracked the chart in 2011 ), we’ll restrain ourselves from over-selling this portrait of caged yearning. Smith is the perfect voice to tell the story.

Keith Urban Close to ‘American Idol’ Deal
Keith Urban is very close to reaching an agreement to judge ‘American Idol’ next season. The country superstar admitted he had talked to producers about the vacant seat on the panel for 2013, but now the Hollywood Reporter is reporting he’s close to signing a $3 million to $4 million contract.