Billy Dukes

Longtime country fans remember a teenaged Krystal Keith joining her father Toby Keith on stage at the 2004 CMA Awards. They sang their duet 'Mockingbird' together, and then the superstar let fans know she'd be going to college before continuing her country music education. Eight-and-a-half years later, her self-titled debut EP is available, and a full-length is coming later this year. As for that conversation between father and daughter, it wasn't exactly a 'Leave It to Beaver Moment.' 

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When Randy Houser debuted with 'Anything Goes' in late 2008, many were wondering if country music had just found a future Male Vocalist of the Year nominee. He voice was -- and is -- that strong. 'Boots On' was a Top 5 follow-up, and then ... then he sort of got lost -- shuffled around like a middle-reliever in Major League Baseball, despite his talent as a singer and songwriter

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Country legend George Jones has been admitted to a Nashville hospital after a routine checkup revealed a slight fever and irregular blood pressure. A statement from the singer's publicist says he is being kept for observation, and weekend shows scheduled for Atlanta, Ga. and Salem, Va. have been postponed.

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Krystal Keith proves she has the talent to make it in Nashville, but a larger sample is needed to distinguish her as her own artist. At her best she's Bonnie Raitt for a new generation -- but at other times her style, pacing and lyrics are too heavily influenced by Toby Keith.

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Singer Sarah Darling has announced she is engaged to marry her boyfriend James. The two are still enjoying the glow of a romantic vacation and proposal, and haven't dug deep into wedding planning quite yet, but the 'Home to Me' singer revealed she's thinking May 2014 for the ceremony.

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An outsider may look at the rough-and-rowdy Brantley Gilbert and actress and model-turned-country singer Jana Kramer and wonder why they work so well together. It sounds like they do, too. In an interview with Taste of Country, Gilbert described his relationship with his fiance with one simple phrase...

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Granger Smith releases his ninth studio album next week (April 16) -- one he calls his most ambitious project to date. 'Dirt Road Driveway' features singles 'We Do It in a Field' and 'The Country Boy Song' in addition to 10 other tracks from the pen of the the Red Dirt singer-songwriter. Listen to the entire album early via this exclusive stream on Taste of Country.

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Luke Bryan's new song 'Crash My Party' would fit well on his last album 'Tailgates and Tanlines.' The ballad is a continuation of themes introduced with 'I Don't Want This Night to End' and 'Drunk on You,' two No. 1 hits for the ACM Entertainer of the Year. At first listen, it's difficult to become excited about a song that's so familiar. 

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Brad Paisley's 'Wheelhouse' delivers a familiar mix of humor, life lessons and scorching guitar solos, but it does it in a way different from any of the other eight albums the 'Beat This Summer' singer has released. He took his old formula, balled it up, lit it on fire and tossed the ashes in the garbage. The result is a meaty and ambitious project that doesn't always click, but clears new ground when it does.

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In his new song 'I Want Crazy.' Hunter Hayes doesn't soar like Ronnie Dunn or croon like Chris Young. His vocal performance is an exercise in diction -- and memory. Simply put, he packs a ton of words into a tight space without straining or slurring one idea into another. It's not easy. 

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Carrie Underwood changed directions with the release of 'See You Again' as the fourth single from 'Blown Away.' The ballad is anything but dark and stormy. Instead it's an inspirational reminder that will be especially meaningful to fans who have lost someone close recently. 

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The 2013 ACM Awards are just days away, and while the country music industry is anxiously awaiting to see who wins the big awards, fans are looking forward to the performances, surprise collaborations and unexpected moments of brilliance. These potential moments could prove to be the ones fans are talking about come Monday. 

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