Billy Ray Cyrus's Biography

Billy Ray Cyrus was born on 25 August 1961 in Flatwoods, Kentucky.

His father, Ron, was a democrat in the Kentucky House of Representatives for two decades before he died in 2006.

Billy Ray Cyrus first became well known with his 1992 hit Achy Breaky Heart, which became the Country Music Association's Single of the Year.

Billy Ray Cyrus, explained about a turning point in his career as a musician, when in 1984, a fire destroyed the bar in Ohio in which his band played:

"Everything was destroyed, except inside my guitar amp, which was melted like a candle. As I went through there and the place was all burnt and wet and black stuff all hanging down and water, I seen something white inside my guitar case. And with a flashlight and I go up inside there. And this little Bible was parted that I'd found in the floor, that old bar, and it said, 'With every adversity lies the seed to something better.'"

In 1992, Billy Ray Cyrus's debut album, Some Gave All, which included Achy Breaky Heart, topped the pop charts for 17 weeks.

As well as his music, Billy Ray Cyrus achieved prominence acting on TV with his daughter, Miley Cyrus in Doc and then more significantly, in the hugely popular Hannah Montana.

In 2007, Billy Ray Cyrus partnered Karina Smirnoff in Dancing with the Stars.

Regarding his life work, Billy Ray Cyrus told Great American Country:

"My purpose in life is to reflect an image of meaning and inspiration and to make music that touches people in deep and lasting ways."