Editing Billy Ray Cyrus

{{short description|American country singer and actor (born 1961)}}
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix   = [[Colonel (U.S. honorary title)|Colonel]]
| name               = Billy Ray Cyrus
| image              = Billy Ray Cyrus 2019.jpg
| caption            = Cyrus in 2019
| birth_name         = William Ray Cyrus
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1961|8|25}}
| birth_place        = [[Flatwoods, Kentucky]], U.S.
| alma_mater         = [[Georgetown College (Kentucky)|Georgetown College]]
| occupation         = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|actor}}
| years_active       = 1989–present
| spouse             = {{unbulleted list|{{marriage|Cindy Smith|1986|1991|reason=divorced}}|{{marriage|[[Tish Cyrus|Tish Finley]]|1993|2023|reason=divorced}}|{{marriage|Firerose|October 10, 2023|August 5, 2024|reason=divorced}}}}
| children           = 6, including [[Brandi Cyrus|Brandi]], [[Trace Cyrus|Trace]], [[Miley Cyrus|Miley]], and [[Noah Cyrus]]
| father             = [[Ron Cyrus]]
| awards             = [[List of awards and nominations received by Billy Ray Cyrus|Full list]]
| module             = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed           = yes
| instrument      = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar}}
| genre           = {{hlist|[[Country music|Country]]|[[country pop]]<ref name="cpopAM">{{cite web |title=Country-Pop - Overview |url=https://www.allmusic.com/subgenre/country-pop-ma0000004416 |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=June 11, 2022}}</ref>}}
| label           = {{hlist|[[Mercury Records|Mercury]]|[[Monument Records|Monument]]|Madacy|[[Word Records|Word]]|[[Curb Records|Curb]]|[[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]]|New Door|UMe|[[Walt Disney Records|Walt Disney]]|[[Lyric Street Records|Lyric Street]]|[[Buena Vista Records|Buena Vista]]|[[Broken Bow Records|Broken Bow]]}}
| past_member_of = [[Brother Clyde]]
| website            = {{URL|billyraycyrus.com}}
}}
}}
'''William Ray Cyrus''' ({{IPAc-en|'|s|aɪ|r|ə|s}} {{respell|SY|rəs}}; born August 25, 1961)<ref name="BioEp"/><ref name=divorcefiling2013>{{cite web | url = http://www.eonline.com/static/news/pdf/BillyRayCyrusDivorce1.pdf | title = Billy Ray Cyrus v. Latisha {{Sic|Finnely|nolink=y}} Cyrus: Petition for Divorce | date = June 13, 2013 | access-date = July 22, 2013 | publisher = Chancery Court for Williamson County, Tennessee | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924143227/http://www.eonline.com/static/news/pdf/BillyRayCyrusDivorce1.pdf | archive-date = September 24, 2015 | via = [[E!]] | url-status=dead }}</ref> is an American singer, songwriter and actor.<ref name="Country Worldwide">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0LYxAAAAIBAJ&pg=1510,3298161&dq=billy+ray+cyrus+country+worldwide&hl=en |title=Country is No. 1 musical style |date=August 19, 1992 |newspaper=Reading Eagle |access-date=July 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903213452/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0LYxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_OIFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1510,3298161&dq=billy+ray+cyrus+country+worldwide&hl=en |archive-date=September 3, 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref name="Country Worldwide3">{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/504338431.html?dids=504338431:504338431&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+25%2C+1993&author=Jack+Hurst&pub=The+Record&desc=Country+music+is+making+waves+across+the+seas&pqatl=google |title=Country music is making waves across the seas |date=November 25, 1993 |work=thestar.com |access-date=July 26, 2010 |first=Jack |last=Hurst |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110506081606/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/504338431.html?dids=504338431:504338431&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+25%2C+1993&author=Jack+Hurst&pub=The+Record&desc=Country+music+is+making+waves+across+the+seas&pqatl=google |archive-date=May 6, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Having released 16 studio albums and 53 singles since 1992, he is known for his hit single "[[Achy Breaky Heart]]", which topped the U.S. [[Hot Country Songs]] chart and became the first single ever to achieve triple platinum status in Australia. It was also the best-selling single in the same country in 1992.<ref name="Achy Australia">{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24305208.html?dids=24305208:24305208&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+04%2C+1993&author=Jack+Hurst%2C+Country+music+writer.&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=ACHY+BREAKY+START+BRUISED+BY+THE+CRITICS%2C+BILLY+RAY+CYRUS+IS+COMING+BACK+FOR+MORE&pqatl=google |title=Achy Breaky Start Bruised By The Critics, Billy Ray Cyrus Is Coming Back For More |date=July 4, 1993 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |access-date=July 25, 2010 |first=Jack |last=Hurst |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103090226/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24305208.html?dids=24305208:24305208&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+04,+1993&author=Jack+Hurst,+Country+music+writer.&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=ACHY+BREAKY+START+BRUISED+BY+THE+CRITICS,+BILLY+RAY+CYRUS+IS+COMING+BACK+FOR+MORE&pqatl=google |archive-date=November 3, 2012 |url-status=dead  }}</ref><ref name="Achy Australia1">{{cite web |title=ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 50 Singles 1992 |url=http://aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-50-singles-1992.htm |access-date=July 25, 2010 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association}}</ref> Due to the song's music video, the [[line dance]] rose in popularity.<ref name="Achy linedance5">{{cite news |date=December 6, 2010 |title=Line dancing: good for that achy breaky heart |publisher=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6B51Q920101206 |access-date=December 9, 2010 }}</ref>

A [[Music recording certification|multi-platinum selling artist]], Cyrus has scored a total of eight top-ten singles on the [[Hot Country Songs|''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs]] chart. His most successful album to date is his debut ''[[Some Gave All]]'', which has been certified 9× multi-platinum in the United States and is the longest time spent by a debut artist and by a country artist at number one on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] (17 consecutive weeks) and most consecutive chart-topping weeks in the [[SoundScan]] era.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/albums-no-1-billboard-200-most-consecutive-weeks/the-kingston-trio-the-kingston-trio-at-large/ |title=Albums That Topped the Billboard 200 for the Most Consecutive Weeks — And the Albums That Bumped Them Off |date=October 6, 2022 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=July 13, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Some Gave All No.&nbsp;1 in US for 17 weeks">{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jxEEAAAAMBAJ&q=Billy+Ray+Cyrus&pg=PA29 |title=Billy Ray Cyrus Explores His Gospel 'Side' |date=October 18, 2003 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=June 29, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Some Gave All 17 consecutive weeks">{{cite web|url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/taylor-swift/news/mariah-carey-cant-stop-taylor-swift--61981514 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121216141658/http://new.music.yahoo.com/taylor-swift/news/mariah-carey-cant-stop-taylor-swift--61981514 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 16, 2012 |title=Mariah Carey Can't Stop Taylor Swift |date=January 28, 2009 |publisher=Yahoo! |access-date=June 29, 2009 }}</ref>
''Some Gave All'' was also the first debut album to enter at number one on the [[Top Country Albums|''Billboard'' Top Country Albums]] chart.<ref name="Some Gave All Country debut record">{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/orlandosentinel/access/78489705.html?dids=78489705:78489705&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+16%2C+1992&author=Jack+Hurst%2C+Chicago+Tribune&pub=Orlando+Sentinel&desc=COUNTRIFIED+KATHY+MATTEA+IS+BACK+IN+VOICE+WITH+%27LONESOME+STANDARD+TIME%27&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121208145335/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/orlandosentinel/access/78489705.html?dids=78489705:78489705&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+16,+1992&author=Jack+Hurst,+Chicago+Tribune&pub=Orlando+Sentinel&desc=COUNTRIFIED+KATHY+MATTEA+IS+BACK+IN+VOICE+WITH+'LONESOME+STANDARD+TIME'&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 8, 2012 |title=COUNTRIFIED KATHY MATTEA IS BACK IN VOICE WITH 'LONESOME STANDARD TIME' |date=October 16, 1992 |publisher=OrlandoSentinel |access-date=July 25, 2010 |first=Jack |last=Hurst }}</ref> The album has also sold more than 20 million copies worldwide and is the best-selling debut album of all time for a solo male artist. ''Some Gave All'' was also the best-selling album of 1992 in the US with 4,832,000 copies.<ref name="Some Gave All 20 million copies">{{cite news |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09100/961830-388.stm |title=Billy Ray Cyrus appeals to a whole new crowd |date=April 10, 2009 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |access-date=April 24, 2009 |first=Scott |last=Mervis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523035344/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09100/961830-388.stm |archive-date=May 23, 2009 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref name="Some Gave All of the year">{{cite web|url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/42196/week-ending-nov-8-2009-the-host-with-the-most/ |title=Week Ending Nov. 8, 2009: The Host With The Most |first=Paul |last=Grein |access-date=November 11, 2009 |publisher=Yahoo! Music |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091115133900/http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/42196/week-ending-nov-8-2009-the-host-with-the-most |archive-date=November 15, 2009 }}</ref> During his career he has released 36 charted singles, of which 17 charted in the top 40.

In 2019, Cyrus earned his first number-one single on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] as a featured artist on a remix of [[Lil Nas X]]'s song "[[Old Town Road]]", which spent a record-breaking nineteen consecutive weeks at the top spot (eighteen of them credited to Cyrus). It also spent a record-breaking twenty consecutive weeks (nineteen of them credited to Cyrus) at the top spot on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|''Billboard'' Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]] and [[Hot Rap Songs|''Billboard'' Hot Rap Songs]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8527174/lil-nas-x-old-town-road-hot-rb-rap-songs-records|title=Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' Breaks Record for Most Weeks at No. 1 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs Charts|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=August 12, 2019|access-date=September 5, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8527749/billie-eilish-bad-guy-number-one-hot-100|title=Billie Eilish's 'Bad Guy' Hits No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100, Dethroning Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' After Record 19 Weeks on Top|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=August 19, 2019|access-date=September 5, 2019}}</ref> The R&B/Hip-Hop record has been broken in May 2023 by [[SZA]]'s "[[Kill Bill (song)|Kill Bill]]".<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/sza-kill-bill-breaks-number-1-record-rb-hip-hop-songs-chart-1235342457/|title=SZA's 'Kill Bill' Breaks Record for Most Weeks at No. 1 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=May 30, 2023|access-date=July 13, 2023}}</ref>
Thanks to "Old Town Road", Cyrus won his first two [[Grammy Award]]s, in the categories [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance|Best Pop Duo/Group Performance]] and [[Grammy Award for Best Music Video|Best Music Video]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/billy-ray-cyrus|title=Billy Ray Cyrus|date=November 26, 2019|website=GRAMMY.com|language=en|access-date=January 27, 2020}}</ref>

From 2001 to 2004, Cyrus starred on the television series ''[[Doc (2001 TV series)|Doc]]''. The series focused on a country doctor who moved from [[Montana]] to New York City. From 2006 to 2011, he starred as [[Robby Stewart|Robby Ray Stewart]] on the [[Disney Channel]] series ''[[Hannah Montana]]'' with his daughter [[Miley Cyrus]] playing the [[Miley Stewart|title character]]. From 2016 to 2017, he starred as Vernon Brownmule on the [[Country Music Television|CMT]] sitcom ''[[Still the King (TV series)|Still the King]]''.

==Early life==
Billy Ray Cyrus was born on August 25, 1961, in [[Flatwoods, Kentucky]], to [[Ron Cyrus]], a steelworker who became a politician,<ref name="mileycyrusbio-2009">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QkPzCfr2Ei0C&pg=PA2|title=Miley Cyrus: A Biography|last=Dillon Summers|first=Kimberly|publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]]|year=2009|isbn=978-0-313-37848-5|pages=2–4|access-date=November 28, 2015}}</ref> and his wife, the former Ruth Ann Casto.<ref name="BioEp">{{cite episode |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1163439 |title=Billy Ray Cyrus Biography |series=A&E Biography |series-link=Biography (TV series) |airdate=December 20, 2007 |access-date=November 28, 2015 |df=mdy-all}} Birth certificate shown shows name Billy Ray Cyrus</ref><ref name="ref094">{{cite news|title=THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO BILLY CYRUS|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|date=February 14, 1993|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LH&s_site=kentucky&p_multi=LH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB73E67FAF104FC&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|access-date=April 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413024059/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LH&s_site=kentucky&p_multi=LH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB73E67FAF104FC&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|archive-date=April 13, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Bio">{{cite web
 |url          = http://www.filmreference.com/film/12/Billy-Ray-Cyrus.html
 |title        = Billy Ray Cyrus Biography (1961–)
 |access-date   = July 22, 2008
|date         = July 22, 2008
|publisher    = filmreference.com
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080415110347/http://www.filmreference.com/film/12/Billy-Ray-Cyrus.html
 |archive-date = April 15, 2008
|url-status     = live
 |df           = mdy-all
}}</ref> Cyrus started singing at the age of four. His parents divorced in 1966. His grandfather was a [[Pentecostal]] [[preacher]]. Growing up he was surrounded by bluegrass and gospel music as his family are musicians. His right-handed father played guitar, however left-handed Cyrus tried to play his father's guitar, but could not. He attended [[Georgetown College (Kentucky)|Georgetown College]] on a baseball scholarship before changing to music. He dropped out of Georgetown during his junior year, realized he wanted to become a musician after attending a [[Neil Diamond]] concert, and set a 10-month goal to start a career.<ref name="mileycyrusbio-2009" /> In the 1980s, he played in a band called Sly Dog, before signing a record contract with [[Mercury Nashville]] Records.<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|last1=Roland|first1=Tom|last2=Erlewine|first2=Stephen Thomas|title=Billy Ray Cyrus > Biography|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p1571|pure_url=yes}}|website=allmusic|access-date=July 10, 2010}}</ref> Sly Dog was named after a one-eyed dog that Cyrus owned.<ref name="mileycyrusbio-2009" />

==Music career==
===The Mercury Records years===
While trying to get a recording contract in Los Angeles, Cyrus suffered many hardships including living in his neighbor's car. However, in 1990, he was signed to [[Mercury Nashville Records|PolyGram/Mercury]]. In the same year he opened for [[Reba McEntire]].<ref name="mileycyrusbio-2009" /> Cyrus began to record and write music for his debut album, released in 1992.

''[[Some Gave All]]'' was released in 1992. The album became an instant chart and sales success. It debuted at No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' [[Top Country Albums]], ''Billboard'' 200, Canadian Country Albums chart, [[Canadian Albums Chart]], and on the charts of several other countries. The album featured four consecutive top 40 singles on the [[Hot Country Songs]] chart from 1992 to 1993, including an album cut, the title track. The most successful single released was "[[Achy Breaky Heart]]". It reached No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart and was also a hit on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], where it reached No. 4. Uniquely for a country music song it also became an international success, reaching number 1 in Australia and number 3 on the [[UK Singles Chart]]. Thanks to the video of this hit, there was the explosion of the [[line dance]] into the mainstream, becoming a global craze.<ref name="OutOfStyle">{{cite news|date=October 30, 1992|title=Line dancing refuses to go out of style|newspaper=Star-News|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iqssAAAAIBAJ&pg=2782,6165269&dq=billy+ray+cyrus+line+dancing&hl=en|access-date=August 12, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Additionally, the singles "[[Could've Been Me]]" reached No. 2, "Wher'm I Gonna Live?" reached No. 23, and "[[She's Not Cryin' Anymore]]" reached No. 6. ''Some Gave All'' was certified 9× multi-platinum in the United States in 1996, and has sold over 20 million copies worldwide.

[[File:Billy Ray Cyrus Tour.jpg|thumb|Cyrus singing at the Spirit of America tour, October 2005<ref>[http://spiritofamericatour.org/artists/ "Spirit of America Tour: Artists"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701033117/http://spiritofamericatour.org/artists/ |date=July 1, 2016 }}, ''spiritofamerica.org''</ref>]]

In 1993, Cyrus and Mercury Records quickly released Cyrus' second studio album, ''[[It Won't Be the Last]]''. The album featured four singles, three of which made the top 40. The album debuted at No.&nbsp;1 on the Country charts, and No.&nbsp;3 on the ''Billboard'' 200. By the end of the year, ''It Won't Be the Last'' was certified platinum by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]]. The highest-charting single, the lead-off single, "[[In the Heart of a Woman]]", charted to No. 3, with "[[Somebody New (Billy Ray Cyrus song)|Somebody New]]" charting to No. 9, "Words By Heart" at No. 12, and "Talk Some" at No. 63. Also in 1993, Cyrus appeared on [[Dolly Parton]]'s single "[[Slow Dancing with the Moon|Romeo]]"; though the single only reached 27 on the country singles charts, the accompanying video was popular on [[Country Music Television|CMT]].

Cyrus' third studio album, ''[[Storm in the Heartland]]'', was released in 1994. It was the final album he recorded for PolyGram, which closed its doors in 1995. The album was not as successful as its predecessors. It only reached No. 11 on the Country albums chart, and only the title track made the top 40 of the Country singles chart. "Deja Blue" was the second single released; however, it only managed to chart to No. 66, and the third and final single, "One Last Thrill", failed to chart at all.

The album managed to be certified gold in the U.S. Before Cyrus started on his next album, he was transferred to [[Universal Music Group Nashville|Mercury Nashville]].

Also in 1994, Cyrus contributed the song "Pictures Don't Lie" to the [[AIDS]] benefit album [[Red Hot + Country]] produced by the [[Red Hot Organization]].

Cyrus' most critically acclaimed album was 1996's ''[[Trail of Tears (Billy Ray Cyrus album)|Trail of Tears]]'' for Mercury Records. The album debuted at No. 20 on the Country chart. Only two songs made the cut to radio, neither of which hit the top 40. The title track and "Three Little Words" reached No. 69 and No. 65 respectively. The album failed to reach any certification, and was off the charts after only four weeks.

In 1998, Cyrus released his last album for Mercury Records ''[[Shot Full of Love]]''. The album became his lowest-peaking album, debuting at No. 32. The first single, "Under the Hood", failed to chart, "Time for Letting Go" hit No. 70, "[[Busy Man]]" charted No. 3, and "I Give My Heart to You" reached No. 41. After the single fell from the charts, Cyrus left Mercury and signed with [[Monument Records]] in 1999.

His debut album for Monument, ''[[Southern Rain]]'', was released in 2000. It debuted at No. 13 on the Country albums chart and No. 102 on the ''Billboard'' 200. Five singles were released and all five charted. The lead-off single, "[[You Won't Be Lonely Now]]", was the highest-peaking single from the album, charting to No. 17. Other singles include "We the People" (No. 60), "Burn Down the Trailer Park" (No. 43), "Crazy 'Bout You Baby" (No. 58), and the title track (No. 45).

===Shift to Christian music===
After the singles from ''Southern Rain'' finished their chart runs, Cyrus recorded two Christian albums. Both albums, ''[[Time Flies (Billy Ray Cyrus album)|Time Flies]]'' and ''[[The Other Side (Billy Ray Cyrus album)|The Other Side]]'', were released in 2003. The first album debuted and peaked at a low No.&nbsp;56 on the Country album charts. Three singles were released; however, only the final single reached the charts. "Bread Alone", "What Else Is There", and "Back to Memphis" were released, and "Back to Memphis" charted to No.&nbsp;60.

The second Christian album, ''The Other Side'', was recorded while Cyrus filmed his [[PAX (TV network)|PAX]] series, ''[[Doc (2001 TV series)|Doc]]''. It debuted at No.&nbsp;5 on the [[Top Christian Albums]] chart, No.&nbsp;18 Top Country Albums, and No.&nbsp;131 on ''Billboard'' 200. Two of three singles charted – "Face of God" (No. 54) and "The Other Side" (No. 45) – while "Always Sixteen" did not chart.

===Disney Entertainment===
The album ''[[Wanna Be Your Joe]]'' was Billy Ray's first country album since 2000's ''Southern Rain''. It was again recorded on a new record label: New Door/UMe Records. It was released while Cyrus was filming the show ''[[Hannah Montana]]''. ''Wanna Be Your Joe'' made it to No.&nbsp;24 on the Country charts and No.&nbsp;113 on the all-genre charts. The album initially sold well, but no hit-single was released. The title track was released as the first single, and was followed by "I Want My Mullet Back", both of which were ignored by country radio. Although not released as a single, a music video was made for the track "Stand", a duet with daughter [[Miley Cyrus]].

Also in 2006, Billy Ray appeared with metal-rock group [[Metal Skool]] (now [[Steel Panther]]), and performed several songs including "[[Rebel Yell (song)|Rebel Yell]]" by [[Billy Idol]], and the song "I Want My Mullet Back", which appears on ''Wanna Be Your Joe''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bpah6c4plII |title=Billy Ray & Metal Skool |publisher=YouTube |date=November 1, 2006 |access-date=August 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924165227/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bpah6c4plII |archive-date=September 24, 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

He also sang "[[The Star-Spangled Banner|The Star Spangled Banner]]" at Game 5 of the [[2006 World Series]] in [[St. Louis]], [[Missouri]].

===Career re-launch===
In mid-2007, Cyrus was a celebrity contestant on the 4th season of the show ''[[Dancing with the Stars (U.S. season 4)|Dancing with the Stars]]''. Cyrus was partnered with [[Karina Smirnoff]]. He quickly became a fan favorite. Cyrus and Smirnoff made it to the semi-finals, where they finished in 5th place.

From Cyrus's exposure on ''[[Dancing with the Stars]]'' and ''[[Hannah Montana]]'', his record label pushed up the release date by a month for his new album. ''[[Home at Last (Billy Ray Cyrus album)|Home at Last]]'' was released in July 2007 on [[Walt Disney Records]]. It debuted at No.&nbsp;3 on the country charts, making it Cyrus' first top 5 entry since 1993. Beginning sales for the album were very strong; however, the album failed to be certified. The single "[[Ready, Set, Don't Go]]", was initially released as a solo single. The solo version made it to No.&nbsp;33 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

In October 2007, Cyrus and his daughter [[Miley Cyrus|Miley]] performed a duet of the song on ''Dancing with the Stars''. The duet debuted at No.&nbsp;27 on the Country charts and eventually peaked at No.&nbsp;4 in 2008, giving Billy Ray his first top 5 single since 1999, as well as Miley's first top 5 on any ''Billboard'' chart.

Cyrus was a part of the Disney collection ''[[Country Sings Disney]]'' in 2008. Two of his songs, "Ready, Set, Don't Go" and the [[Sheryl Crow]]-penned song "[[Real Gone (song)|Real Gone]]", appeared on the album. Billy Ray's version of "Real Gone" was also made into a music video that is in rotation on both [[Country Music Television|CMT]] and [[Great American Country|GAC]]; the song also appears on ''[[Back to Tennessee]]''.

=== New label and newfound chart success ===
[[File:Billy Ray Cyrus at Kids Inaugural Concert.jpg|thumb|Cyrus singing at the ''Kids Inaugural Event'' in January 2009]]

In late 2008, his website announced that a new studio album would be released by the end of the year from [[Lyric Street Records]], entitled ''[[Back to Tennessee]]''. The album was originally planned to be released on October 21, 2008, but was pushed back to November 18. When the album was not released, it was announced for a January 13, 2009, release.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billyraycyrus.com/movies/news.shtml#NEW%20RELEASE%20DATE%20FOR%20BACK%20TO%20TENNESSEE%20-%20JANUARY%2013TH,%202009 |title="Back to Tennessee" now in stores 1/13/09 |publisher=Billyraycyrus.com |access-date=August 29, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101116205245/http://www.billyraycyrus.com/movies/news.shtml |archive-date=November 16, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.billyraycyrus.com/|title=Billy Ray Cyrus – Official Website|date=October 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028064617/http://www.billyraycyrus.com/|archive-date=October 28, 2016}}</ref> The first single, "[[Somebody Said a Prayer]]", debuted at No. 53 in August 2008 and reached No.&nbsp;33 in November of that year. On March 14, 2009, the album's title track debuted at No. 59 on the country singles chart and a month later on April 7, ''Back to Tennessee'' was released. The song only charted to No. 47 after 11 weeks. A third single, "[[A Good Day (song)|A Good Day]]", debuted at No. 60 on the country charts for the chart week of September 5, 2009.

It was less successful in its first week out as ''Home at Last''. It only reached No.&nbsp;13 on the charts and only sold approximately 14,000 copies in its opening week. The album's release date coincided with the release of ''[[Hannah Montana: The Movie]]''. The song "Back to Tennessee" was included on the [[Hannah Montana: The Movie (soundtrack)|movie's soundtrack]], as well as a duet with [[Miley Cyrus]], entitled "[[Butterfly Fly Away]]". The latter song would peak at No. 56 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and at No. 50 and [[Canadian Hot 100]].

On November 12, 2008, Billy Ray and Miley presented the "Song of the Year" award at the 42nd Annual [[Country Music Association Awards]]. Prior to the award show, both Billy Ray and Miley performed on ''[[Good Morning America]]''. In December 2008, Cyrus made a cameo in [[Metro Station (band)|Metro Station's]] video, "[[Seventeen Forever]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3esKbQK58OI |title="Seventeen Forever" official video |publisher=YouTube |access-date=August 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131110416/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3esKbQK58OI |archive-date=January 31, 2009 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

Shortly after the chart debut of ''Back to Tennessee'''s third single, "A Good Day", Cyrus and Lyric Street Records parted ways after only one album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lyricstreetrecords.go.com/|title=Lyric Street Records artists|publisher=Lyric Street Records|access-date=September 9, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905052552/http://lyricstreetrecords.go.com/|archive-date=September 5, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

Cyrus, [[Phil Vassar]], [[Jeffrey Steele]], and [[John Waite]] formed a supergroup together in early 2009 called Brother Clyde.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gactv.com/gac/nw_headlines/article/0,3034,GAC_26063_5942334,00.html |title=Billy Ray Cyrus, Phil Vassar Forming Supergroup? |publisher=[[Great American Country]] |date=April 19, 2009 |access-date=September 19, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102235050/http://www.gactv.com/gac/nw_headlines/article/0,3034,GAC_26063_5942334,00.html |archive-date=January 2, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://jeffreysteele.com/blog/press/billy-ray-cyrus-phil-vassar-forming-supergroup/ |title=Billy Ray Cyrus, Phil Vassar Forming Supergroup? |newspaper=Jeffrey Steele |access-date=November 28, 2015 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065030/http://jeffreysteele.com/blog/press/billy-ray-cyrus-phil-vassar-forming-supergroup/ |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> On [[Twitter]] Cyrus confirmed he was in a supergroup and said they had just cut the first single for their new album, ''Lately''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/billyraycyrus|title=Twitter – Billy Ray Cyrus|publisher=Billy Ray Cyrus|date=September 12, 2009|access-date=September 19, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090919214258/http://twitter.com/billyraycyrus|archive-date=September 19, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 30, 2010, Cyrus said about the new [[alternative rock]] group [[Brother Clyde]] that the old members would be substituted by [[Samantha Maloney]], Jamie Miller, Dan Knight, and Dave Henning. Also, he said that their single, "Lately", was available on [[iTunes]] and that their debut album would be out on August 10, 2010.<ref>Billie Ray Cyrus (Facebook Account)</ref>

=== Post-Brother Clyde, "Old Town Road" remix and popular resurgence ===
In late 2010, Cyrus suspended his activities in the band [[Brother Clyde]], and announced the release of his new solo patriotic album, entitled ''[[I'm American]]''. Initially scheduled to be released in November 2010, it was pushed back to a May 24, 2011, release with a re-recording of "Some Gave All" that featured guest vocals from [[Darryl Worley]], [[Jamey Johnson]] and [[Craig Morgan]] being released as the lead-off single. However, in April 2011, the single was changed to "Runway Lights". ''I'm American'' was released on June 28, 2011. A second single, "[[Nineteen (song)|Nineteen]]", was released in August 2011. The song entered the Hot Country Songs chart for the week of October 8, 2011, where it debuted at number 58, becoming Cyrus' first charted single since "A Good Day" in 2009.

Cyrus released the album ''[[Change My Mind (Billy Ray Cyrus album)|Change My Mind]]'' on October 23, 2012. Its first single, the title track, was released on September 6.

In April 2017, Cyrus told ''[[Rolling Stone Country]]'' that on his birthday, August 25, he would be known as Cyrus, or "the artist formerly known as Billy Ray", after legally changing his name.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/billy-ray-cyrus-changes-name-to-cyrus-re-records-achy-breaky-heart-117126/|title=Billy Ray Cyrus Changes Name to 'Cyrus,' Re-Records 'Achy Breaky Heart'|last=Hudak|first=Joseph|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=April 28, 2017|accessdate=August 30, 2021}}</ref> Fans did not like this, but on ''[[Live with Kelly and Ryan]]'' Cyrus said "I'm here to set the record straight. That's the name of the album–'Cyrus'. Then, subtitled, 'Set the Record Straight.'" He assured fans his name would still be Billy Ray.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.soundslikenashville.com/news/billy-ray-cyrus-clears-name-change/|title=Billy Ray Cyrus Clears Up Confusion About Name Change|last=Smith|first=Sydney|newspaper=Sounds Like Nashville|date=July 13, 2017|accessdate=August 30, 2021}}</ref>

After ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' removed American rapper [[Lil Nas X]]'s country-rap song "[[Old Town Road]]" from their Country chart, Cyrus was featured in the remix.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/05/entertainment/billy-ray-cyrus-lil-nas-x-remix-drops/index.html|title=Billy Ray Cyrus sings about diamond rings and Maseratis in Lil Nas X's genre-bending song|work=CNN|date=April 5, 2019}}</ref> The remix rose to number one on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], unseating the original mix of the song and giving Cyrus his first number one song on the Hot 100.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2019/04/15/old-town-road-earns-a-second-week-at-no-1-this-time-with-billy-ray-cyrus-on-board/#7d11505e2548|title='Old Town Road' Earns A Second Week At No. 1, This Time With Billy Ray Cyrus On Board|author=McIntyre, Hugh|magazine=[[Forbes]]|date=April 15, 2019}}</ref> "Old Town Road" spent 19 consecutive weeks (18 of those credited to Cyrus) on the Hot 100, breaking the record as the longest running number one song in history, surpassing the record that was previously set by [[Mariah Carey]] and [[Boyz II Men]] song "[[One Sweet Day]]".<ref name="auto">{{Cite magazine|date=August 12, 2019|title=Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' Leads Billboard Hot 100 for 19th Week, Ariana Grande & Social House's 'Boyfriend' Debuts in Top 10|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8527171/lil-nas-x-old-town-road-number-one-hot-100-19-weeks|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=September 5, 2019}}</ref> The song was nominated for various [[Grammy Award]]s, winning [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance|Best Pop Duo/Group Performance]] and [[Grammy Award for Best Music Video|Best Music Video]].<ref name=":0" /> In October 2019, the song received a [[Recording Industry Association of America#"Digital" single certification|diamond certification]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]], selling over ten million total units in the United States. It became the fastest song to be awarded diamond certification.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Jay |last=Connor |url=https://thegrapevine.theroot.com/lil-nas-x-takes-the-old-town-road-to-diamond-status-be-1839292040|title=Lil Nas X Takes the 'Old Town Road' to Diamond Status, Becomes Fastest Song Ever to Do So |date=October 23, 2019 |website=The Root|access-date=October 24, 2019}}</ref>

==Acting career==
Cyrus starred in the 1999 independent film ''Radical Jack''. He also had a small part in [[David Lynch|David Lynch's]] 2001 film ''[[Mulholland Drive (film)|Mulholland Drive]]'' as Gene, a pool cleaner who had been having an affair with the wife of Adam Kesher ([[Justin Theroux]]). In 2001, Cyrus played the lead role on the [[ION Television|PAX (now ION Television)]] comedy-drama ''[[Doc (2001 TV series)|Doc]]'', which became the network's highest-rated show. In 2005, Cyrus expanded his acting career in a stage production of ''[[Annie Get Your Gun (musical)|Annie Get Your Gun]]'' in [[Toronto]], appearing in the role of [[Frank E. Butler|Frank Butler]].<ref name="PTC">{{cite web|title=Billy Ray Cyrus |url=http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/aboutus/advisoryboard/billyraycyrus.htm |publisher=Parents Television Council |access-date=July 10, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710012645/http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/aboutus/advisoryboard/billyraycyrus.htm |archive-date=July 10, 2010 }}</ref>

Cyrus' television credits include ''[[The Nanny]]'', ''[[Diagnosis Murder]]'', ''[[Love Boat, The Next Wave]]'', and [[Spike (TV channel)|TNN]]'s ''18 Wheels Of Justice''. In 2004, he guest-starred as a limo driver in the episode "The Power of Love" of the Canadian teen drama ''[[Degrassi: The Next Generation]]''. Cyrus has also been the subject of many television specials that detail his rise to fame and his career. These include two [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] documentaries, ''Billy Ray Cyrus: Dreams Come True'' and ''Billy Ray Cyrus: A Year on the Road'', a [[VH1]] exclusive, as well as the TNN specials ''I Give My Heart To You'', and ''The Life and Times of Billy Ray Cyrus''. In late 2005, Cyrus and his daughter [[Miley Cyrus]] began co-starring in the [[Disney Channel]] original television series, ''[[Hannah Montana]]'', which premiered on March 24, 2006.

In March 2007, Cyrus joined several other celebrities to take part in the [[Dancing with the Stars (US season 4)|fourth season]] of the US version of ''[[Dancing with the Stars (US TV series)|Dancing with the Stars]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Meet the New Cast of 'Dancing With the Stars|last=unknown|url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Entertainment/story?id=2890554&page=1|work=ABC.com Dancing with the Stars|date=February 20, 2007|access-date=February 21, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070223002319/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Entertainment/story?id=2890554&page=1|archive-date=February 23, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> He and his partner [[Karina Smirnoff]], were eliminated in the eighth week (May 8, 2007) after having also placed in the "bottom two" the week before.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://metro.co.uk/2007/05/09/billy-ray-booted-off-dance-show-351412/ |title=Singer Cyrus booted off dance show |date=May 9, 2007 |access-date=May 9, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622015003/http://metro.co.uk/2007/05/09/billy-ray-booted-off-dance-show-351412/ |archive-date=June 22, 2013 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

Cyrus also starred in [[Jackie Chan|Jackie Chan's]] movie ''[[The Spy Next Door]]''. It was shot in [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]] and released in January 2010.

Cyrus sits on the advisory board of a conservative group called the [[Parents Television Council]].<ref name="PTC" />

In 2010, it was announced that he and his son [[Trace Cyrus]] would take part in a new [[Syfy]] reality series called ''UFO: Unbelievably Freakin' Obvious''.<ref name="UFO">{{cite news|url=http://tucsoncitizen.com/paranormal/2010/09/07/syfy-announces-upcoming-series-with-billy-ray-cyrus-and-son/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205004219/http://tucsoncitizen.com/paranormal/2010/09/07/syfy-announces-upcoming-series-with-billy-ray-cyrus-and-son/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 5, 2013 |title=SyFy announces upcoming series with Billy Ray Cyrus and son |first=Cherlyn Gardner | last=Strong | newspaper=Tucson Citizen |date=September 7, 2010 |access-date=September 7, 2010}}</ref><ref name="UFO2">{{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/09/07/syfy-and-peacock-productions-ink-billy-ray-cyrus-to-headline-development-of-new-reality-show-ufo-unbelievably-freakin-obvious/62322 |title=Syfy and Peacock Productions Ink Billy Ray Cyrus to Headline Development of New Reality Show: 'UFO: Unbelievably Freakin' Obvious' |first=Robert |last=Seidman |publisher=TV by the Numbers |date=September 7, 2010 |access-date=September 7, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100911000917/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/09/07/syfy-and-peacock-productions-ink-billy-ray-cyrus-to-headline-development-of-new-reality-show-ufo-unbelievably-freakin-obvious/62322 |archive-date=September 11, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Seidma|first=Robert|date=September 7, 2010|title=Syfy and Peacock Productions Ink Billy Ray Cyrus to Headline Development of New Reality Show: 'UFO: Unbelievably Freakin' Obvious'|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/09/07/syfy-and-peacock-productions-ink-billy-ray-cyrus-to-headline-development-of-new-reality-show-ufo-unbelievably-freakin-obvious/62322/|url-status=unfit|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129210247/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/09/07/syfy-and-peacock-productions-ink-billy-ray-cyrus-to-headline-development-of-new-reality-show-ufo-unbelievably-freakin-obvious/62322/|archive-date=November 29, 2010|access-date=September 7, 2010|website=zaptoit.com}}</ref><ref name="UFO3">{{cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2010/tv/news/syfy-goes-for-the-obvious-1118023772/ |title=Syfy goes for the 'Obvious' |first=Stuart |last=Levine |magazine=Variety |date=September 7, 2010 |access-date=September 7, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100909000507/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118023772.html?categoryid=14&cs=1 |archive-date=September 9, 2010 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

Cyrus made his [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] debut as Billy Flynn in ''[[Chicago (musical)|Chicago]]''. He was in the show for a temporary engagement from November 5 to December 23, 2012.<ref>[https://playbill.com/person/billy-ray-cyrus-vault-0000123349 Billy Ray Cyrus Playbill]</ref>

==Personal life==
===Relationships and family===
Cyrus was married to Cindy Smith from 1986 until they divorced in 1991. Cyrus and Smith co-wrote the songs "Wher'm I Gonna Live?" and "Some Gave All", both of which were featured on Cyrus' 1992 debut album ''[[Some Gave All]]''.<ref name="mileycyrusbio-2009" />

In 1992, Cyrus became the father of two children with different women: a son, Christopher Cody Cyrus, born to waitress Kristin Luckey,<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=Road Warrior |url=https://people.com/archive/road-warrior-vol-38-no-14/ |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}</ref> and a daughter, [[Miley Cyrus|Miley Ray Cyrus]], born to [[Tish Cyrus|Leticia "Tish" Finley]]. Cyrus pledged to Luckey to support her and their child; she raised their son in [[South Carolina]].<ref name="abcnews">{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Choosing Family Over Fame and Fortune |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=132388&page=1 |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref><ref name="GQmarriage" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=@cyrusfamilyrares on Instagram: Saw MT post a photo with Chris so figured i'd post a few throwbacks of him….Glad to see him with his Cyrus fam💛 |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CX991nVO8M8/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==}}</ref>

On December 28, 1993, while Finley was pregnant with their second child, the couple were secretly married against the advice of Cyrus' record company.<ref name=divorcefiling2013 /><ref name="abcnews"/><ref name="GQmarriage">{{cite web |last=Heath |first=Chris |date=March 2011 |title=Mr. Hannah Montana's Achy Broken Heart |url=https://www.gq.com/entertainment/celebrities/201103/billy-ray-cyrus-mr-hannah-montana-miley?currentPage=4 |access-date=May 21, 2023 |work=[[GQ]] |quote=He and Tish married the following year, when she was pregnant with their son, Braison. |df=mdy-all |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006175652/http://www.gq.com/entertainment/celebrities/201103/billy-ray-cyrus-mr-hannah-montana-miley?currentPage=4 |url-status=dead }}</ref> They have three children together, two daughters: Miley Ray Cyrus<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-07 |title=Billy Ray Cyrus Shares Message to Miley Cyrus Amid Alleged Family Rift |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1403210/billy-ray-cyrus-shares-message-to-miley-cyrus-amid-alleged-family-rift |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=E! Online}}</ref> (born Destiny Hope Cyrus; in 1992) and [[Noah Cyrus|Noah Lindsey Cyrus]] (born 2000); and a son, Braison Chance Cyrus (born 1994). He also adopted the two children Finley brought from her previous relationship: daughter [[Brandi Cyrus|Brandi Glenn Cyrus]] (born 1987), and son [[Trace Cyrus|Trace Dempsey Cyrus]] (born Neil Timothy Helson; in 1989).<ref name="adopt">{{cite web |last=Tan |first=Michelle |date=July 2, 2007 |title=My Girl |url=https://people.com/archive/cover-story-my-girl-billy-ray-and-miley-cyrus-vol-68-no-1/ |access-date=May 21, 2023 |work=People |quote="Tish's kids from a previous relationship, Brandi, 20, and Trace, 18, whom Billy Ray adopted as tots."}}</ref> In June 2021, Cyrus became a grandfather for the first time when his son Braison and daughter-in-law Stella (née McBride) Cyrus welcomed their first child.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tasteofcountry.com/billy-ray-cyrus-grandson-photo/|title=Billy Ray Cyrus Introduces His Grandson with the Cutest Photo|last=Dukes|first=Billy|date=July 2, 2021|access-date=September 28, 2022|work=Taste of Country}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=Braison Cyrus and Wife Stella Welcome Their First Baby, Son Bear Chance |url=https://people.com/parents/braison-cyrus-wife-stella-welcome-first-baby-son-bear-chance/ |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}</ref>

The family lived on a {{convert|500|acre|km2|adj=on}} farm in [[Thompson's Station, Tennessee]], near [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]]. They moved to [[Los Angeles]] for the filming of the [[Disney Channel]] original series ''[[Hannah Montana]]'' in which daughter Miley starred. Brandi also had cameos in the series, in the episodes ''"Yet Another Side of Me"'' and ''"Been Here All Along"''.<ref>{{cite news |first = Jacques |last  = Steinberg |title = Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: A Tale of Two Tweens |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/20/arts/television/20cyru.html?ei=5088&en=ce83bf6f2ce0ed7d&ex=1303185600 |work = [[The New York Times]] |date = April 20, 2006|access-date = October 29, 2006|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20071029211328/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/20/arts/television/20cyru.html?ei=5088&en=ce83bf6f2ce0ed7d&ex=1303185600 |archive-date = October 29, 2007|url-status = live |df = mdy-all}}</ref>

On October 26, 2010, Cyrus filed for divorce in Tennessee, citing irreconcilable differences but in March 2011, Cyrus said he had dropped the divorce proceedings.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=March 18, 2011 |title=Billy Ray Cyrus Drops Divorce, Praises ''Hannah Montana'' |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/472466/billy-ray-cyrus-drops-divorce-praises-hannah-montana |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=May 21, 2023}}</ref>

On June 13, 2013, Tish filed for divorce after 19 years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences with Cyrus.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tan |first=Michelle |date=June 13, 2013 |title=Tish Cyrus Divorcing Billy Ray Cyrus |work=People |url=https://people.com/country/tish-cyrus-divorcing-billy-ray-cyrus/ |access-date=May 21, 2023 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> In July 2013, the couple was reported to be in therapy and dropped the divorce.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nessif|first=Bruna|title=Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus Scrap Divorce, Say Couples Therapy Helped Get Relationship Back on Track|url=http://uk.eonline.com/news/441110/billy-ray-and-tish-cyrus-scrap-divorce-say-couples-therapy-helped-get-relationship-back-on-track|work=E! Online|access-date=July 21, 2013|date=July 21, 2013}}</ref> In 2017, the second divorce case was officially dismissed by the court since the couple failed to appear.<ref>{{cite web|title=Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Cyrus' Divorce Case Dismissed|date=September 25, 2017|access-date=March 29, 2019|work=E! online|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/882574/billy-ray-cyrus-and-tish-cyrus-divorce-case-dismissed}}</ref> In April 2022, Tish filed for divorce a second time, with the divorce papers revealing that they had been separated for more than two years.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=Tish Cyrus Files for Divorce from Billy Ray Cyrus After 28 Years of Marriage |url=https://people.com/country/tish-cyrus-files-for-divorce-billy-ray-cyrus-after-28-years-of-marriage/ |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}</ref>

In August 2022, Cyrus became engaged to Australian singer Firerose.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gibson |first1=Kelsie |title=Who Is Billy Ray Cyrus' Fiancée? All About Firerose |url=https://people.com/music/who-is-firerose-billy-ray-cyrus/ |website=People |access-date=March 24, 2023 |language=en |date=December 21, 2022}}</ref><ref name="hl">{{cite web |last1=Picou |first1=Sabrina |title=Firerose: 5 Things About Billy Ray Cyrus' Reported Fiancée |url=https://hollywoodlife.com/feature/who-is-firerose-4855480/ |website=Hollywood Life |date=September 29, 2022 |access-date=19 October 2022}}</ref> The two met over a decade prior on the set of ''Hannah Montana'' and in 2021 released "New Day", a collaboration featuring Firerose's vocals and Cyrus on guitar.<ref>{{cite web |last1=n.a. |title=It's A New Day for Firerose |url=http://www.womenofcountrymusic.com/news-feed/its-a-new-day-for-firerose |website=The Women of Country |access-date=19 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=n.a. |title=Billy Ray Cyrus & FIREROSE Talks About How They Met and Collaborated on "New Day" |website=[[YouTube]] |date=August 12, 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IFwK8XlKoA |access-date=19 October 2022}}</ref><ref name="hl" /> They were married on October 10, 2023.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Dobrin|first1=Nikki|last2=Bowman|first2=Sabienna|title=Billy Ray Cyrus Marries Australian Musician Firerose in a 'Perfect, Ethereal Celebration of Love'|url=https://people.com/billy-ray-cyrus-marries-singer-songwriter-firerose-7568562|magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]]|date=October 11, 2023|access-date=October 11, 2023}}</ref>

On May 22, 2024, Cyrus filed for divorce from Firerose.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Billy Ray Cyrus Files for Divorce from Firerose After 7 Months of Marriage Alleging 'Inappropriate Marital Conduct' |url=https://people.com/billy-ray-cyrus-files-for-divorce-from-firerose-alleges-inappropriate-marital-conduct-8661668 |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}</ref> The couple cited irreconcilable differences as well as inappropriate marital conduct as the reason for the divorce. Cyrus also asked the court to grant him an outright annulment, claiming the marriage was obtained by fraud.<ref>{{cite web |title=Billy Ray Cyrus Files to Annul Marriage to Wife Firerose 7 Months After Wedding |url=https://www.tmz.com/2024/06/11/billy-ray-cyrus-files-divorce-wife-firerose-less-than-year-marriage/ |website=TMZ |access-date=12 June 2024 |language=en |date=11 June 2024}}</ref> On August 5, 2024, the divorce was finalized.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-06 |title=Billy Ray Cyrus finalizes divorce from singer Firerose 3 months after filing |url=https://apnews.com/article/billy-ray-cyrus-divorce-finalized-firerose-aa6e6e6c3c7418872cb194b969a06216 |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

In April 2025, actress and model [[Elizabeth Hurley]] revealed on social media that she and Cyrus were now dating.<ref>{{Cite news|URL=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/billy-ray-cyrus-elizabeth-hurley-relationship-b2736639.html|title=Elizabeth Hurley debuts new relationship with Billy Ray Cyrus|work=The Independent|date=21 April 2025}}</ref>

===Political views===
Although Cyrus's song "We the People" was used as a [[campaign song]] by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[George W. Bush]] in his [[2000 United States presidential election|2000 presidential campaign]], Cyrus was reported as saying that he had been a lifelong [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Boucher |first=Geoff |date=October 11, 2000 |title=Songs in the Key of Presidency |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/10/11/latimes.campaign.songs/ |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=November 4, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919120645/http://edition.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/10/11/latimes.campaign.songs/ |archive-date=September 19, 2012 }}</ref> He attended a fundraiser for [[Al Gore]] that year.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Another star-studded Gore fund-raiser |url=http://www.asismanagement.com/billy-ray-cyrus/press-releases/101700-the-tennessean.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030802141026/http://www.asismanagement.com/billy-ray-cyrus/press-releases/101700-the-tennessean.htm |archive-date=August 2, 2003 |website=Asismanagement.com}}</ref>

In August 2024, Cyrus shared a photo on Instagram showing him next to Republican then-former president [[Donald Trump]], offering his endorsement to him in the [[2024 United States presidential election|2024 presidential election]].<ref>{{Cite web |title="So glad Miley is done with him" — Internet reacts as Billy Ray Cyrus shares photo with Donald Trump ahead of US 2024 election |first=Nirali |last=Sheth |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/music/news-so-glad-miley-done-him-internet-reacts-billy-ray-cyrus-shares-photo-donald-trump-ahead-us-2024-election |access-date=April 2, 2025 |date=August 8, 2024 |website=Sportskeeda.com}}</ref> On January 20, 2025, he performed at the [[United States presidential inaugural balls|presidential inaugural ball]], which celebrated the commencement of Trump's second term.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Billy Ray Cyrus speaks out after technical difficulties during inaugural Liberty Ball performance|first=Mason |last=Leib |url=https://abcnews.com/GMA/Culture/billy-ray-cyrus-speaks-after-technical-difficulties-inaugural-liberty-ball/story?id=117959188 |access-date=January 22, 2025|date=January 21, 2025 |website=abcnews.go.com}}</ref>

===Awards===
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Billy Ray Cyrus}}
Cyrus is a [[Kentucky Colonel]], awarded by the [[governor of Kentucky]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kycolonels.org/famous-colonels/|title=Famous Colonels|website=The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels|access-date=March 22, 2025}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{Main|Billy Ray Cyrus discography}}

'''Studio albums'''
{{col div}}
* ''[[Some Gave All]]'' (1992)
* ''[[It Won't Be the Last]]'' (1993)
* ''[[Storm in the Heartland]]'' (1994)
* ''[[Trail of Tears (Billy Ray Cyrus album)|Trail of Tears]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Shot Full of Love]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Southern Rain]]'' (2000)
* ''[[Time Flies (Billy Ray Cyrus album)|Time Flies]]'' (2003)
* ''[[The Other Side (Billy Ray Cyrus album)|The Other Side]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Wanna Be Your Joe]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Home at Last (Billy Ray Cyrus album)|Home at Last]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Back to Tennessee]]'' (2009)
* ''[[I'm American]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Change My Mind (album)|Change My Mind]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Thin Line (album)|Thin Line]]'' (2016)
* ''[[Set the Record Straight (Billy Ray Cyrus album)|Set the Record Straight]]'' (2017)
* ''The SnakeDoctor Circus'' (2019)
{{col div end}}

==Filmography==
===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable"| Notes
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2001
| ''Radical Jack''
| Jack
|
|-
| ''[[Mulholland Drive (film)|Mulholland Drive]]''
| Gene
|
|-
| 2002
| ''Wish You Were Dead''
| Dean Longo
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2004
| ''Death and Texas''
| Spoade Perkins
|
|-
| ''[[Elvis Has Left the Building]]''
| Hank
| Uncredited
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2008
| ''Bait Shop''
| Hot Rod Johnson
|
|-
| ''[[Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert (film)|Best of Both Worlds Concert]]''
| Himself
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2009
| ''[[Flying By]]''
| George Barron
|
|-
| ''[[Christmas in Canaan]]''
| Daniel Burton
| Television film
|-
| ''[[Hannah Montana: The Movie]]''
| [[Robby Ray Stewart]]
| [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor]]
|-
| 2010
| ''[[The Spy Next Door]]''
| Colton James
| Nominated—[[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor]]

|-
| rowspan="2" | 2011
| ''Billy Ray Cyrus: I'm American''
| Himself
| Television film
|-
| ''Christmas Comes Home to Canaan''
| Daniel Burton
| Television film
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2014
| ''[[Like a Country Song]]''
| Bo Reeson
|
|-
| ''[[Sharknado 2: The Second One]]''
| Doctor Quint
|
|-
| 2017
| ''[[Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated]]''
| Himself
| Documentary film 
|-
|2020
|''American Reject''
|
|
|-
|2022
|''Christmas in Paradise''
|Jimmy Love
|
|-
|2023
|''[[Glisten and the Merry Mission]]''
|Donner
|Voice
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable"| Notes
|-
| 1992
| ''[[Top of the Pops]]''
| Himself
| 3 episodes
|-
| 1995
| ''[[The Nanny]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "A Kiss Is Just a Kiss"
|-
| 1997
| ''[[Diagnosis: Murder]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Murder, Country Style"
|-
| 1999
| ''[[The Love Boat: The Next Wave]]''
| Lasso Larry Larsen
| Episode: "Divorce, Downbeat and Distemper"
|-
| 2000
| ''18 Wheels of Justice''
| Henry Conners
| Episode: "Games of Chance"
|-
| 2001–2004
| ''[[Doc (2001 TV series)|Doc]]''
| Dr. Clint Cassidy
| 88 episodes
|-
| 2002
| ''[[Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye]]''
| Dr. Clint Cassidy
| Episode: "Pilot"
|-
| 2003
| ''[[Degrassi: The Next Generation]]''
| Limo driver, Duke
| Episode: "The Power of Love"
|-
| 2006–2011
| ''[[Hannah Montana]]''
| [[Robby Ray Stewart]]
| 95 episodes<br />[[Teen Choice Award]] for Choice TV Parental Unit
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2007
| ''Billy Ray Cyrus: Home at Last''
| Himself
| 4 episodes
|-
| ''[[Dancing with the Stars (U.S. season 4)|Dancing with the Stars]]''
| Himself, contestant
| 17 episodes
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2008
| ''Hillbilly: The Real Story''
| Host
| Episode: "Hillbilly: The Real Story"
|-
| ''[[Nashville Star]]''
| Host
| 9 episodes
|-
| ''[[Phineas and Ferb]]''
| Buck Buckerson (Voice)
| Episode: "It's a Mud, Mud, Mud, Mud World"
|-
| 2010
| ''[[Are We There Yet? (TV series)|Are We There Yet?]]''
| Luke Bonnie
| Episode: "The Hand on a House"
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2011
| ''[[Full Throttle Saloon]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Episode 2.3"
|-
| ''Surprise Homecoming''
| Host
| 8 episodes
|-
| 2011–2012
| ''[[90210 (TV series)|90210]]''
| Judd Ridge
| 2 episodes
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2014
| ''[[The Haunting Of...]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Billy Ray Cyrus"
|-
| ''[[Newsreaders]]''
| Billy Ray Cyrus
| Episode: "America's Unknown President; Reporter on House Arrest"
|-
| 2016–2017
| ''[[Still the King]]''
| Vernon Brownmule
| 26 episodes
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2017
| ''[[Cyrus vs. Cyrus: Design and Conquer]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Creating a Forever Home"
|-
| ''[[Blaze and the Monster Machines]]''
| Lazard (Voice)
| Episode: "Animal Island"
|-
| ''[[Carpool Karaoke: The Series]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "The Cyrus Family"
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Producer
! Year
! Title
! class="unsortable"| Notes
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Hannah Montana: The Movie]]''
|
|-
| 2011
| ''Surprise Homecoming''
| 8 episodes
|-
| 2016–2017
| ''[[Still the King]]''
| 26 episodes 
|}

==See also==
* [[List of awards and nominations received by Billy Ray Cyrus]]
* [[List of best-selling albums in the United States]]
* [[List of country music performers]]
* [[List of number-one hits (United States)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Kingsbury, Paul. (1998). "Billy Ray Cyrus". In ''The Encyclopedia of Country Music''. Paul Kingsbury, Editor. New York: Oxford University Press. pp.&nbsp;123–4.

==External links==
{{sister project links|collapsible=true|wikt=no|voy=no|v=no|d=Q231259|c=Category:Billy Ray Cyrus}}
* {{official website}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20031220035026/http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/cyrus_billy_ray/artist.jhtml Billy Ray Cyrus] at CMT.com
* {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p1571}}
* {{IMDb name|0004854}}
* Archive of {{cite web
 |url=http://www.cmt.ca/Artist/BillyRayCyrus 
 |title=BILLY RAY CYRUS – Bio 
 |access-date=July 10, 2010 |work=cmt.ca 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027230016/http://www.cmt.ca/Artist/BillyRayCyrus 
 |archive-date=October 27, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown 
}}

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{{succession box | title=[[Dancing with the Stars (US TV series)|''Dancing with the Stars'' (US)]] quarter-finalist | before=[[Jerry Springer]] & [[Kym Johnson]]| years=Season 4 (Spring 2007 with [[Karina Smirnoff]])|after=[[Cameron Mathison]] & [[Edyta Sliwinska]]}}
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{{Billy Ray Cyrus}}
{{Navboxes
|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Billy Ray Cyrus|Awards for Billy Ray Cyrus]]
|list =
{{American Music Award for Favorite Country Song}}
{{Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Music Video}}
{{MTV Video Music Award for Song of the Year}}
}}

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[[Category:Billy Ray Cyrus| ]]
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