Early Life

Billy Ray Cyrus was born on August 25, 1961, in Flatwoods, Kentucky. His father, Ron Cyrus, was a politician and former steelworker, while his mother, Christine (née Stewart), worked as a secretary. He has two siblings: sister Darlene and brother Tim. Cyrus began singing at an early age and by the age of 12 he had already begun to play the guitar. After graduating from high school, he attended Georgetown College on a baseball scholarship but dropped out after one semester to pursue a career in music.

Music Career

Cyrus began his musical career in the early 1980s, playing in a band called Sly Dog. He soon after formed the rockabilly band Doc Holliday, which released its self-titled debut album in 1985. The group toured extensively throughout the South and Midwest but failed to find commercial success. In 1992, Cyrus signed a contract with Mercury Records and released his first solo album, Some Gave All. The album became a massive success, selling more than 20 million copies worldwide and launching Cyrus’s career as a country music superstar.

Cyrus’s next album, It Won’t Be the Last (1993), was also a commercial success, selling more than four million copies in the United States. It included the hit single “Achy Breaky Heart”, which became a global phenomenon and propelled Cyrus to international stardom. In 1996, he released his third studio album, Trail of Tears, which was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

In 2000, he released his fourth studio album, Southern Rain. The album was a commercial disappointment, selling less than two million copies in the United States. In 2006, he released his fifth studio album, Wanna Be Your Joe. The album was a moderate success, reaching the top ten in the United States and Australia.

In 2010, Cyrus co-wrote and performed on “I’m American”, the lead single from Dixie Chicks’ seventh studio album Taking the Long Way; it peaked at number 37 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

In 2012, he released his sixth studio album, Change My Mind. The album was a commercial success, reaching the top ten in the United States and Australia.

In 2016, Cyrus released his seventh studio album, Thin Line. The album was a critical and commercial success, reaching the top five in the United States and Australia.

In 2019, Cyrus released his eighth studio album, The Snake Doctor Circus. The album was a commercial success, reaching the top ten in the United States and Australia.

Acting Career

Cyrus has also had a successful career as an actor, appearing in a number of films and television shows. He made his film debut in the 1992 film Doc Hollywood. He also had a recurring role in the TV show Roseanne from 1998 to 2001. In 2000, he starred in the film The Patriot. In 2006, he guest-starred in an episode of CSI: Miami. In 2007, he appeared in the film Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour. In 2008, he had a supporting role in the film Bolt. In 2009, he guest-starred in an episode of Saturday Night Live. In 2010, he appeared in the film The Last Song. In 2012, he guest-starred in an episode of Two and a Half Men. In 2013, he starred in the film Creepers. In 2014, he guest-starred in an episode of raisers..

Discography

Awards and Nominations