Billy Ray Cyrus over the years (2024)

Billy Ray Cyrus, whose rapid rise is making country music history, entertains a Fan Fair crowd at the State Fairgrounds June 9, 1992.

Billy Ray Cyrus signs autographs for his fans as Fan Fair activities wind down at the State Fairgrounds June 12, 1992.

Billy Ray Cyrus, left, and Trisha Yearwood pose for a picture with fans during a reception for their induction into the Walkway of the Stars at the Country Music Hall of Fame Oct. 1, 1992. The event is part of Country Music Week.

Billy Ray Cyrus, left, and Steve Wariner jest during a reception for their induction into the Walkway of the Stars at the Country Music Hall of Fame Oct. 1, 1992. The event is part of Country Music Week.

Country music hip-shakin' star Billy Ray Cyrus stands and delivers at Starwood Amphitheatre April 23, 1993 during the venue's summer debut. His devoted fans even came from as far as Flatwoods, Ky., his hometown.

Country music star Billy Ray Cyrus shows he can do more than just sing by throwing out a runner at first in the City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge at Greer Stadium June 7, 1993 to help kick off Fan Fair.

Billy Ray Cyrus reaches to autograph seekers from the window of his tour bus during Fan Fair June 10, 1993.

Country music star Billy Ray Cyrus, left, signs autographs for fans during the City of Hope Celebrity Softball game at Greer Stadium June 5, 1994 to help kick off Fan Fair week.

Billy Ray Cyrus performs for the packed audience enjoying the Mercury Records show during Fan Fair at the State Fairgrounds June 6, 1995.

Billy Ray Cyrus performs for the packed audience enjoying the Mercury Records show during Fan Fair at the State Fairgrounds June 6, 1995.

Billy Ray Cyrus performs for the packed audience enjoying the Mercury Records show during Fan Fair at the State Fairgrounds June 6, 1995.

Billy Ray Cyrus, left, and wife Tish arrive for the 30th annual CMA awards show at the Opry House Oct. 2, 1996.

Billy Ray Cyruss signs items thrust at him from adoring fans during an impromptu appearance at his Fan Fair booth June 18, 1997.

Billy Ray Cyrus performs for the packed Fan Fair audiences during the Mercury show at State Fairgrounds June 16, 1998.

Billy Ray Cyrus signs a autograph for Justin Guidry, 8, backstage after Cyrus performed for the crowds at the Mercury Records show during Fan Fair at the State Fairgrounds June 16, 1998. Guidry is the son of former NFL player Paul Guidry.

Billy Ray Cyrus reads to a group of kindergartners at Heritage Elementary School March 2, 2000 as part of Read Across America. Cyrus was one of about 10 guest readers at the school.

Billy Ray Cyrus is reading a book to a group of kids from five inner-city schools that are member of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee April 26, 2000. They had the kids at Sony Music Nashville offices.

Billy Ray Cyrus sings during the opening night of Fan Fair at Adelphia Coliseum June 14, 2001.

Billy Ray Cyrus performs for his fans during Fan Fair at the Adelphia Coliseum June 20, 2002.

Billy Ray Cyrus performs for his fans during Fan Fair at the Adelphia Coliseum June 20, 2002.

Billy Ray Cyrus is singing his standby "Achy Breaky Heart" along with songs from his new record, "Time Flies," during Fan Fair at The Coliseum June 12, 2003.

Billy Ray Cyrus sang one of the songs off his new gospel music CD entitled "The Other Side" and answered questions from guests at The Bound'ry in Nashville Sept. 25, 2003.

Billy Ray Cyrus performs for the crowd during the CMA Music Festival at The Coliseum June 29, 2004.

Country artist Billy Ray Cyrus, center, paused in the serving line at a luncheon April 4, 2005 to chat with Dr. Ivan Raley, Tennessee Baptist Children's Homes regional vice president. Cyrus was a host for the luncheon which served as a kick-off celebration for the Tennessee Baptist Children's Home fundraiser.

Country artist Billy Ray Cyrus performed a couple of songs during the kick-off luncheon for the Tennessee Baptist Children's Home fund-raiser April 4, 2005.

Billy Ray Cyrus performs a set including the title track from his new album, "Wanna Be Your Joe," during the CMA Music Festival at LP Field June 10, 2006

Billy Ray Cyrus performs at the Grand Ole Opry House during a special tribute to George Jones for his 75th birthday Sept. 12, 2006.

Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus are posing for the media backstage during the CMT Music Awards show April 14, 2008.

Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus perform "Ready, Set, Don't Go" during the CMT Music Awards show April 14, 2008l

Billy Ray Cyrus, left, and his daughter, Brandi Cyrus, perform together during the CMA Music Festival at LP Field June 8, 2008.

Billy Ray Cyrus performs during the CMA Music Festival at LP Field June 8, 2008.

Billy Ray Cyrus performs during the CMA Music Festival at LP Field June 8, 2008.

Billy Ray Cyrus and daughter, Brandi Cyrus, hug at the end of a song performed during the CMA Music Festival at LP Field June 8, 2008.

Nashville Star contestant Melissa Lawson, center, reacts after host Billy Ray Cyrus, right, announces that she is the new Nashville Star winner as runner-up Gabe Garcia congratulates her at The Roy Acuff Theater at Opryland Aug. 4, 2008.

Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus receive an award during the BMI Awards dinner and performance at their Music Row building Nov. 10, 2008.

"Good Morning America" weatherman Sam Champion, left, interviews Miley Cyrus and her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, during the GMA morning program Nov. 12, 2008 in Nashville. The live broadcast took place on the morning of the CMA Awards show.

Billy Ray Cyrus jokes with his daughter Miley about what kind of car she will be getting on her upcoming 16th birthday during the GMA morning program Nov. 12, 2008 in Nashville. The live broadcast took place on the morning of the CMA Awards show.

Billy Ray Cyrus performs during "Good Morning America's " live broadcast in Nashville on the morning of CMA Awards show Nov 12, 2008.

Presenters Billy Ray Cyrus and daughter Miley Cyrus present the Song of the Year award during the 42nd Annual CMA Awards Nov. 12, 2008 at the Sommet Center in Nashville.

Billy Ray Cyrus, left, and his daughter Miley Cyrus sign an autograph for Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital patient Johnais Adams, 8, who was burned in a camp fire, during their visit Dec. 23, 2008.

Billy Ray Cyrus, left, and his daughter Miley Cyrus sing Christmas songs for the patients during a surprise visit to Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt Dec. 23, 2008.

Billy Ray Cyrus performs during the CMA Music Festival June 11, 2011 in downtown Nashville.

Billy Ray Cyrus performs during the CMA Music Festival June 11, 2011 in downtown Nashville.

Billy Ray Cyrus performs during the CMA Music Festival June 11, 2011 in downtown Nashville.

Billy Ray Cyrus performs during the CMA Music Festival June 11, 2011 in downtown Nashville.

Billy Ray Cyrus performs during the CMA Music Festival June 11, 2011 in downtown Nashville.

Tammy Hyler, left, Megan and Alan Camaisa, Billy Ray Cyrus and Johnny Remo pose for a picture on the red carpet before the debut of the movie, "Like a Country Song" at the Regal Green Hills Cinema June 5, 2014 in Nashville.

A production crew films Billy Ray Cyrus for CMT's new show "Still the King," where Ray plays a Elvis Presley impersonator, in Nashville.

A production crew films Billy Ray Cyrus for CMT's new show "Still the King," where Ray plays a Elvis Presley impersonator, in Nashville.

A production crew films Billy Ray Cyrus for CMT's new show "Still the King," where Ray plays a Elvis Presley impersonator, in Nashville.

Billy Ray Cyrus is on the red carpet for the CMT Awards show June 8, 2016 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

Billy Ray Cyrus, right, and Cheap Trick perform together during the CMT Music Awards show June 8, 2016 at Bridgestone Arena Plaza in Nashville.

Billy Ray Cyrus performs with Cheap Trick during the CMT Music Awards show June 8, 2016 at Bridgestone Arena Plaza in Nashville.

Billy Ray Cyrus sings the National Anthem during the Tennessee Titans home opener against the Minnesota Vikings at Nissan Stadium Sept. 11, 2016.

Billy Ray Cyrus is on the red carpet for the CMT Artist of the Year Awards show at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center Oct. 19, 2016.

Dolly Parton, left, and Billy Ray Cyrus chat during the telethon for "Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund" Dec. 13, 2016 in Nashville.

Dolly Parton, left, and Billy Ray Cyrus chat during the telethon for "Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund" Dec. 13, 2016 in Nashville.

Billy Ray Cyrus is giving an interview May 3, 2017 in Nashville for the 25th anniversary of his biggest hit, "Achy Breaky Heart," written by Don Von Tress. Cyrus has re-recorded it in several different versions over the years.

Billy Ray Cyrus is giving an interview May 3, 2017 in Nashville for the 25th anniversary of his biggest hit, "Achy Breaky Heart," written by Don Von Tress. Cyrus has re-recorded it in several different versions over the years.

Billy Ray Cyrus, left, sings to the Stanley Cup when it visits the Tootsie's Orchid Lounge in Nashville's Lower Broad May 31, 2017.

Billy Ray Cyrus, right, and daughter Brandi are on the red carpet for the CMT Music Awards show at the Music City Center June 7, 2017.

Billy Ray Cyrus performs "Achy Breaky Heart" during the NSAI 50 Years of Songs concert Sept. 20, 2017 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

Billy Ray Cyrus, with Lil Nas X, perform the huge hit, "Old Town Road," at the Spotify House at Ole Red in Nashville June 7, 2019.

Lil Nas X, right, and Billy Ray Cyrus perform the huge hit, "Old Town Road," at the Spotify House at Ole Red in Nashville on June 7, 2019.

Lil Nas X, right, and Billy Ray Cyrus celebrate after perform the huge hit, "Old Town Road," at the Spotify House at Ole Red in Nashville June 7, 2019.

Billy Ray Cyrus performs for the packed audience during the CMA Music Fest June 8, 2019 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.

Billy Ray Cyrus performs for the packed audience during the CMA Music Fest June 8, 2019 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.

Billy Ray Cyrus performs for the packed audience during the CMA Music Fest June 8, 2019 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.

Billy Ray Cyrus performs for the packed audience during the CMA Music Fest June 8, 2019 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.

Billy Ray Cyrus performs for the packed audience during the CMA Music Fest June 8, 2019 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.

Billy Ray Cyrus interacts with fans during the CMA Music Fest June 8, 2019 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.

Billy Ray Cyrus, along with Lil Nas X and Keith Urban, performs the huge hit, "Old Town Road," during the CMA Music Fest June 8, 2019 at Nissan Stadium.

Billy Ray Cyrus, left, and Lil Nas X, with Keith Urban perform the huge hit, "Old Town Road," during the CMA Music Fest June 8, 2019 at Nissan Stadium.

Billy Ray Cyrus, left, Lil Nas X and Keith Urban performs the huge hit, "Old Town Road," during the CMA Music Fest June 8, 2019 at Nissan Stadium.

Billy Ray Cyrus, left, Lil Nas X and Keith Urban performs the huge hit, "Old Town Road," during the CMA Music Fest June 8, 2019 at Nissan Stadium.