Billy Ray Cyrus
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Image:IM001243.JPG Billy Ray Cyrus (born August 25, 1961 in Flatwoods, Kentucky) is an American country singer, best known for the hit single "Achy Breaky Heart" (1992) and his distinctive mullet. Recently he has performed in a much-anticipated Disney television series, Hannah Montana, along with his daughter Miley. Billy Ray is the son of the late Ron Cyrus, a notable politician and public servant from Greenup County, Kentucky. [1]
Contents |
Career
Music
Cyrus originally intended to play professional baseball. He attended Georgetown College on a baseball scholarship, but quit to form a band called "Sly Dog" with his brother. After moving to Los Angeles alone, Cyrus signed to Mercury Records in 1990. The success of "Achy Breaky Heart" from his first album Some Gave All helped renew the popularity of line dancing and made Cyrus a star. At the time he was widely known for his signature mullet hairstyle.
Cyrus' follow-up, It Won't Be the Last, began strong but sales wound up being disappointing compared to Some Gave All. He appeared on Dolly Parton's 1993 single "Romeo", then continued to chart and release four more albums over the next six years. These were Storm in the Heartland (1994), Trail of Tears (1996), Shot Full of Love (1998) and Southern Rain (2000). He has had some success as a gospel singer with his album The Other Side in 2003.
In 2004, Blender magazine selected Achy Breaky Heart as the magazine's choice for "second worst song ever". Some people claim Cyrus is a one hit wonder. However, his career has included three #1 singles and six Top Ten singles, including "It Could Have Been Me" and "When I'm Gone". Cyrus also holds the record for the longest time at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 album chart for a debut record (17 weeks).
Television
In 2001, Cyrus began playing the lead role on the PAX (now i Network) comedy-drama Doc. Doc became the highest-rated show on the network, and continues to air in reruns on the channel. In 2005, Cyrus expanded his acting career in a stage production of Annie Get Your Gun in Toronto, in the role of Frank Butler.
In late 2005, Cyrus and his daughter, Miley, began filming the first twenty episodes of a new Disney Channel television series, Hannah Montana. The show revolves around a young pop star (played by Miley) who adopts an alter ego to protect her identity at school, fulfilling her wish to live life as a "normal" kid. Cyrus plays the pop star's widowed father and manager. Hannah Montana is currently airing on the Disney Channel, and has received positive reviews from critics and viewers.
Trivia
- Cyrus was a part of Russell, Kentucky's first state championship high school football team in 1978.
- Bill Hicks refers to Billy Ray Cyrus in his 'Rant In E-Minor'. He says that his new TV show will be called 'Hunt And Kill Billy Ray Cyrus'. This TV show never saw the light of day due to Bill's untimely death.