Billy Ray Cyrus

For years James Brown was known as “The Hardest Working Man In Show Business.” That title now belongs to Billy Ray Cyrus. A country music superstar/actor and father of the teen pop star Miley (a.k.a. Hannah Montana), Cyrus will perform this Saturday, Sept. 6 at The Ovation Hall within the Odawa Casino in Petoskey.
This summer Cyrus has been busy touring along with recording his new album Back To Tennessee, hosting Nashville Star, (country music’s version of American Idol) as well as filming the highly-anticipated Hannah Montana movie.
“I am definitely sleep deprived,” said Cyrus. “I love working and I am grateful to be working. Though a reporter asked me what my plans are for next year and I said ‘sleep.’ It has been a busy summer, a lot of hard work but a lot of fun along the way.”
On the surface, Billy Ray Cyrus might appear to be riding the coattails of his daughter’s career. Miley Cyrus is the world’s current top teen pop star and her album Breakout remains in the top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album charts and is expected to go platinum (one million in sales) next week. In 2007 Miley Cyrus out-grossed such legends as Elton John and Jimmy Buffet on the concert circuit, raking in $36 million.
But the senior Cyrus has already proven his talent selling more than 30 million albums worldwide and taking a Grammy nomination along the way, during his 20-year career as a country music superstar. Cyrus has no qualms taking a backseat to his daughters’ stardom.
“Every parent wants their children to do better than they did,” said Cyrus. “One thing I get asked all the time is does it bother me that Miley is a pop star and not a country star? Miley knows where her roots are at. Look, I Iike rock and roll– guys like Bob Seger and country rockers like Lynyrd Skynyrd. So I am happy she has found her way musically.”

HEADING HOME
As for roots Cyrus is happy about returning to his.
“We spent the summer in Tennessee because of the movie, my being a host of Nashville Star and recording my new album. After living the last three years in L.A. for the Hannah Montana show, it has been great to be back in Tennessee,” said Cyrus. “What happens is when you live in Hollywood, you start becoming Hollywood, and that is not who I am. So being able to reconnect to my roots has helped me creatively. Plus this Hollywood guy is not really who I am.”
For Cyrus, it was a stroke of luck that the filming of Hannah Montana took place in Tennessee.
“I kicked up my heels in enthusiasm,” said Cyrus. “When I got back I picked up my guitar and wrote the title track to my new CD ‘Back To Tennessee,’ this song lays out my heartfelt feelings on being back home. This being back at home has been very therapeutic for all of us.”
Part of that therapy was much-needed after some in the media called into question Miley Cyrus photo spread in Vanity Fair as being “adult” in nature and not appropriate for her age. While the media questioned the photo shoot, music industry critics came to her rescue with positive reviews of her new album.
For Billy Ray Cyrus, he is excited about the release of his new album this fall. He has already released the single “Somebody Said A Prayer,” that has been climbing the charts.
““Somebody Said A Prayer’ is such a great song,” said Cyrus.” It moved me from the first time I heard the demo. It’s powerful and a great message about hope and faith. And the writers Neil Thrasher and Craig Wiseman have an amazing track record of writing songs that speak from the heart.”
Cyrus delved into Christian music a few years ago, enjoying success on the Christian music charts. His new album is expected to have crossover appeal on the country, Christian and pop charts. Will any of the songs appear in the Hannah Montana movie to be released next spring?
“Yes, I perform ‘Back To Tennessee’ in the movie,” said Cyrus. “I expect the new album to be out in November and when I come north I will definitely preview some of the new stuff.”
One song Cyrus doesn’t have to be asked if he will perform is his biggest hit of all time: “Achy, Breaky Heart,” that anchored his 1993 Grammy for Album of the Year nomination.

Billy Ray Cyrus performs Saturday, September 6 at the Ovation Hall inside the Odawa Casino Resort in Petoskey. A few tickets remain and may be purchased online at odawacasino.com or by calling the box office at 877.442.6464. For a sampling of Cyrus’ musical offerings check out billyraycyrus.com.



View On Our Website