Billy Dukes

‘Rose Garden’ Songwriter Joe South Dead at 72
Grammy Award-winning songwriter Joe South has died. The popular singer, songwriter and studio musician wrote for hitmakers like Lynn Anderson, Elvis Presley and Billy Joe Royal after charting his own hit with ‘Games People Play’ in 1969. He had been in failing health, according to MusicRow.com.

Former ACM President Jack Lameier Dead at 69
For the second time this month, a man as important to country music as the stars that play through the radio speakers has died.

Picture of the Week: Joe Nichols’ Baby Gets Her First Pair of Cowgirl Boots
Joe Nichols‘ new little girl is just five-weeks-old, but she’s already sporting cowgirl fashions. Check out baby Dylan in her new pair of ostrich Ropers, size adorable.

Bluegrass Legend Doc Watson Hospitalized, in Critical Condition
Famous flat-picker, singer and folk legend Arthel ‘Doc’ Watson is in critical condition after a fall at his home in Deep Gap, N.C. on Monday. While his daughter said he didn’t break any bones in the accident, it appears he’s suffering from an infection.

Hank Williams Jr., ‘That Ain’t Good’ – Song Review
Hank Williams Jr. has released his most radio-friendly single since ‘That’s How They Do It in Dixie’ cracked the Top 40 in 2006. ‘That Ain’t Good’ doesn’t sacrifice an ounce of the legend’s anger or attitude, but this uptempo bluesy cut isn’t three minutes of soap-boxing, either.

Country Radio Hall of Famer Rusty Walker Dead at 59
A man every bit as important to country radio as country music’s biggest stars has died. Rusty Walker — a Country Radio Hall of Famer and industry veteran admired by everyone he helped — passed away in a Tupelo, Miss. hospital on Monday morning after suffering a heart attack over the weekend.

Tim McGraw Signs Recording Contract With Big Machine Records
Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift are now labelmates. Just this morning McGraw announced that he signed a recording contract with Big Machine Records. In a press release, the country music legend explained how the deal — signed on May 9 — is the start of his next chapter.

Carrie Underwood Survives Wind Tunnel in Performing ‘Blown Away’ at the Billboard Music Awards
With a wall of mechanical fans blowing hair all across her face, Carrie Underwood performed the title track from her new ‘Blown Away’ album at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday night.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About George Strait
There isn’t an artist in country music who’s been as successful for as long as George Strait. He’s charted at least one song every year since his debut single ‘Unwound’ hit in 1981. Strait got his start in an unusual way, however. In fact, there are a number of quirks about the legend’s life you might find surprising.

New Country Music Releases – June 2012
The first month of summer is the biggest month of music yet. Country superstars like Alan Jackson and Kenny Chesney will be releasing new projects in the list of new country music releases for June 2012, in addition to other hitmakers like Josh Turner and Edens Edge. Start saving now so you’re not left out on the new music on the list below.

Kenny Chesney, ‘Come Over’ – Song Review
The second single from Kenny Chesney‘s upcoming ‘Welcome to the Fishbowl’ album finds the singer returning to his old blue chair in an effort to pour his soul into a six-chord cask. It’s not clear yet if Chesney wrote ‘Come Over,’ but like many of his best ballads, this cut feels very, very personal.

Bucky Covington’s Bus Involved in Crash
Bucky Covington‘s tour bus was involved in an accident on I-65 in Birmingham, Ala. on Thursday. A press release indicates that no one was seriously hurt, although a few passengers were taken to the hospital for examination.