Billy Ray Cyrus
Born in Flatwoods, Kentucky on August 25th, 1961, Billy Ray Cyrus grew up in Kentucky as the grandson of a Pentecostal preacher. Before even entering public school, Cyrus sang with his father’s gospel quartet at his family’s church. Although his parents would later divorce during his teen years, Cyrus held firm to his musical roots, and moved on his own to Los Angeles to pursue a music career.
In 1990, Cyrus was signed to the label Mercury Records, and in 1992, he released what would become his most recognized song, “Achy Breaky Heart”. His album sold so well that he earned the title of a multi-platinum artist, and in 1994, Cyrus received a Humanitarian Award for his work with Child Help USA. Devoted to helping others, he also received the first ever Bob Hope Congressional Medal of Honor of Honor Society’s Entertainers Award for his philanthropic efforts.
In 1996, Cyrus was given the Country Radio Broadcaster’s Artist Humanitarian Award, and the same year he was inducted into the VFW Hall of Fame for his efforts on behalf of war veterans.
Cyrus’ musical career saw its share of highs and lows, as his follow-up album to Some Gave It All saw disappointing sales figures. He was able to revive his popularity with the duet “Romeo” with Dolly Parton, and was then able to record and release four additional albums in the following six years. Though all four albums were released into the secular market, Cyrus had moderate success with a separate gospel album called The Other Side in 2003. In 2006, Cyrus released his most recent album entitled Wanna Be Your Joe.
Refusing to limit himself to the musical world, Cyrus has also starred in a number of sitcoms and film projects. In 1999 he had the starring role in and independent film called Radical Jack, and in 2001, he had a small part as Gene in Mulholland Drive. Also in 2001, Cyrus played the lead character for the comedy-drama Doc, which rose to become the highest rated show on the PAX network.
In 2005, Cyrus played the role of Frank Butler in an on-stage production of Annie, Get Your Gun, and in late 2005, Cyrus began filming a new project called Hannah Montana for the Disney Channel with his daughter, Miley Cyrus. It received positive reviews from many critics, and Cyrus was able to model his own role in the show loosely after his own life.
In 2007, Cyrus participated in the reality series Dancing with the Stars, although he and his partner Karina Smirnoff were eliminated after the eighth week of the show.
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