Billy Dukes

Newcomer Betsy Kingston Packs Folk, Alt-Country and Nashville Twang Into Debut Album
Betsy Kingston is an artist to keep a close eye on. The Athens, Georgia born-and-raised songstress and her band the Crowns have covered the country quickly since forming one year ago. Playing 70 shows across America in support of the new ‘Blue Laws’ album is called paying one’s dues. From the sound of some songs on the new disc, Kingston has clearly anted up.

Taste of Country’s Brad Paisley and Kristen Kelly Flyaway Contest Winner Announced
Later this month Terri Gamble of Wichita Falls, Texas will be on a plane heading to West Palm Beach, Florida. The 27-year-old Taste of Country reader has won a flyaway to see Kristen Kelly, Brad Paisley and more at the Curzan Ampitheatre. And because we love our readers, her trip for two comes loaded with extras.

Kix Brooks Says ‘Bring It on Home’ Is Tribute to His Wife – Exclusive Video
The new single from Kix Brooks‘ first solo album since 1989 is a tribute to his wife, Barbara. In a video exclusive to Taste of Country, the singer explains the song, which is featured on ‘New to This Town,’ which will be released next Tuesday (Sept. 11). Fans can listen to the entire album right now at Amazon.

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.

Craig Campbell vs. Chris Cagle – The Showdown
Alan Jackson has become the latest artist to have a song inducted into the Taste of Country Showdown Hall of Fame. By topping Darius Rucker‘s ‘True Believers’ on Monday, ‘You Go Your Way’ is retired, meaning two new songs square off today and tonight on Taste of Country Nights, a nationally syndicated radio show hosted by Jeremy Robinson.

Alan Jackson vs. Darius Rucker – The Showdown
Alan Jackson has cruised through four straight Showdowns, but to get to the Taste of Country Showdown Hall of Fame, he’s going to have to top another country superstar in Darius Rucker. The legend’s new song ‘You Go Your Way’ is hot right now, with online and phone call votes leaning heavily his way. But Rucker might be hotter.

Craig Campbell, ‘Outta My Head’ – Song Review
Craig Campbell tries on a more contemporary sound with his new single ‘Outta My Head,’ a song about getting over a lover who won’t leave you alone even though she hasn’t called in quite some time. By leaning away from traditional, the singer aims to please more fans than his last two singles — the edgy ‘Fish’ and a middle finger to bill collectors called ‘When I Get It’ — but the result is a nonde

Listener Calls Out Taste of Country Nights Host After Playing Lyrical Pursuit
Taste of Country Nights host Jeremy Robinson is from Texas, so you’d think he’d have known last night’s Lyrical Pursuit song. The winning contestant thought so too, and wasn’t afraid to call him out on a nationally syndicated radio show.
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Country Music Fashion Police – Readers Poll
Next Wednesday (Sept. 5), the nominees for the 2012 CMA Awards will be announced. That leaves stars less than two months to plan for the Nov. 3 broadcast. That’s two months to find the perfect dress, the perfect shoes or the perfect jacket. We’ve found the most adventurous outfits from previous CMA Awards and paired them side by side, just begging for your opinion. You get to play country music fa

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.