Billy Ray Cyrus Biography
Billy Ray Cyrus is a Grammy Award-nominated American country music singer-songwriter and actor from Flatwoods, Kentucky, best known for his #1 single, "Achy Breaky Heart" and "Ready, Set, Don't Go" Cyrus, a multi-platinum selling recording artist has scored a total of eight top-ten singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. His most successful album to date is the debut of, Some Gave All, which has been certified 9× Multi-Platinum in the United States. The album also has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide. From the year 2001 to 2004, Cyrus starred in the television show Doc. The show was about a country doctor who moved from Montana to New York City. In late 2005, he also began to co-star in the Disney Channel series, Hannah Montana, with daughter Miley Cyrus. The show has been on the air for 3 seasons. In his career, he has released 29 charted singles, 13 charted in the Top 40, and has reached #1 on the charts, "Achy Breaky Heart"
While trying to get a record deal in Los Angeles, Cyrus was signed to PolyGram/Mercury. He began recording music for his debut album, Some Gave All, which was released in 1992. The album sold over 9 million copies in the U.S. alone, and sold more than 20 million worldwide. Part of the album's success can be attributed to Cyrus's #1 single, "Achy Breaky Heart", which was #1 for 5 weeks. Some Gave All then debuted atop both the Top Country Albums and the Billboard 200, staying at No.1 for 34 and 17 weeks, respectively. Other singles released were "Could've Been Me" (#2), "Where'm I Gonna Live?" (#23), "She's Not Cryin' Anymore" (#6), and the title track charted from unsolicited airplay reaching #52.
In 1993, Cyrus quickly returned with It Won't Be the Last, which went Platinum in the U.S. The album featured the Top 5 single, "In the Heart of a Woman", which peaked at #3. Three more songs were released from the album, "Somebody New", "Words By Heart", and "Talk Some" which peaked at #9, #12, and #63, respectively. It Won't Be the Last debuted at #1 on the Top Country Albums chart, and #3 on the Billboard 200.
Storm in the Heartland was released in the U.S. in 1994. It was Cyrus' last album from PolyGram because they closed their doors in 1995. When released, it debuted at #11 on the Country chart, and #73 on all-genre chart. The album sold way less than hoped, only managing to go gold. Three singles were released, although only two charted. The title track was the most successful, just missing the Top 30 at #33. "Deja Blue" reached #66 and "One Last Thrill" failed to chart. After the album and single were finished, Cyrus then transferred to Mercury Nashville Records.
Cyrus' most critically acclaimed album was 1996s, Trail of Tears on Mercury Records. The album debuted at #20 on the Country chart when released. Only two songs made the cut to radio, although neither one hit the Top 50. The title track and "Three Little Words" were released reaching #69, and #65 respectively. The album failed to reach any certification, and was on and off the charts after only four weeks.
Debuting in the Top 40 was Shot Full of Love in 1998. It debuted and peaked at #32, because the album was released before the only major single was released, "Busy Man", which hit the Top 5. The first single, "Under the Hood", failed to chart, "Time for Letting Go" hit #70, "Busy Man" was #3, and "Give My Heart to You" barely missed the Top 40, at #41. No certification was given. Southern Rain was released in the year 2000. This would be his only country album until 2006. Five singles were released from this album, "You Won't Be Lonely Now", "We the People", "Burn Down the Trailer Park", "Crazy 'Bout You Baby", and the title tracks, which managed to all preak at #17, #60, #43, #58, and #45, respectivley. The album debuted at #13 and #102 on the charts, becoming Cyrus' highest entry since Storm in the Heartland. It was also his only album he recorded for Monument Records.
The first of two Christian albums, Time Flies was released in 2003. Not doing so well on the charts, the album only hit #56 on the Country chart, and the only single to chart hit #60. "Bread Alone", "What Else is There", and "Back to Memphis" were released. Also in 2003, The Other Side was released. Cyrus recorded the album while in Toronto, Canada when he was filming the hit-series, Doc. It was released in October 2003, and peaked at #18 and #131 on the charts. "Always Sixteen", "The Other Side", and "Face of God" were released while they only hit the Top 50. The album also crossed over to the Christian Music Charts, hitting the Top 5. Billy Ray would be on a chart hiatus until 2006.
Wanna Be Your Joe was Billy Ray's first country album since 2000. As his previous albums, it was recorded on a new label, New Door/UMe Records. While filming the show, Hannah Montana, he released Wanna Be Your Joe in August 2006. Debuting at #24, the album sold well, but no hit single was ever released. The only single released, however, was the title track, which was ignored by country radio. Also in 2006, Billy Ray appeared with metal-rock group, Metal Skool, and performed several of Cyrus' songs including "Rebel Yell" by Billy Idol, and "I Want My Mullet Back", which appears on Wanna Be Your Joe. He also sang "The Star Spangled Banner" at Game 5 of the 2006 World Series in St. Louis, Missouri.
In Spring 2007, Cyrus appeared as a celebrity on the U.S. show Dancing With the Stars. His partner, Karina Smirnoff, made it to the semi-finale and finished in 5th place. From his exposure on Dancing, Walt Disney Records pushed the release of his new album up a month. Home at Last was released on July 24, 2007 and debuted at #3 (Billy Ray's return to the Top 5 since It Won't Be the Last) selling about 30,000 copies in its first week. The album sold very well. One single was released, however, it was re-released with Cyrus' daughter, Miley Cyrus. "Ready, Set, Don't Go" was first recorded and released as a solo song, reached #33, but the duet with Miley increased the song's airplay and got the song to reach #4 on the Country chart.
In mid-2008, Cyrus' website confirmed that he would be releasing a new studio album on Lyric Street Records, entitled Back to Tennessee. Originally the album was scheduled to be released on October 21, the album was pushed to a new release of November 18. The first single "Somebody Said a Prayer" entered the charts at #53 in early August.
Also in 2008, Cyrus was apart of the Disney collection, Country Sings Disney. Two of his songs, "Ready, Set, Don't Go" and the Sheryl Crow penned song, "Real Gone" appeared on the album. Billy Ray's version of "Real Gone" was also made into a music video that is now in rotation on both CMT and GAC. Other artists on the album include Brad Paisley, Alison Krauss, and Faith Hill.
