Over the course of his musical career, Cyrus – a multi-platinum selling recording artist – has scored a total of eight top-ten singles on the Billboard Country Songs chart, the most successful being “Achy Breaky Heart,” which reached #1 on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and was also a hit on the pop charts, where it reached #4.

Beyond the music accolades, Billy Ray has also spent a fair amount of time honing his skills as a actor. Besides starring in the television show Doc and co-starring in the popular Disney series Hannah Montana, Cyrus has made appearances in a handful of other shows including The Nanny, Diagnosis Murder, Love Boat, The Next Wave, and TNN’s 18 Wheels Of Justice.

As of recent, Billy Ray has been promoting his new album, ‘I’m American,’ a collection of patriotic tunes that celebrates the 20th anniversary of his hit, Some Gave All.

Referring to the album, Cyrus recently told country music website The Boot:

“[It's a] tribute to veterans and the men and women who are sacrificing so much for our freedom and the sacrifice their entire family is making.”

In addition to advancing the new album, Billy Ray and his wife Leticia reportedly preparing to be grandparents for the first time, as news that the Cyrus’ eldest son Trace and his girlfriend Brenda Song were pregnant went public yesterday.

While Cyrus hasn’t officially commented on the pregnancy, we’re betting “Grandpa Billy” will have some good advice for the dad-to-be.

“I pray for my kids that they live their life with purpose, knowing that it’s about giving back and finding out what you can do in this world to hopefully make it a better place,” Cyrus told Parade magazine in the past when asked for parenting wisdom.

To celebrate Billy Ray Cyrus’ milestone 50th birthday, bust out your cowboy boots and thrown down a line dance or two while listening to the classic tune Achy Breaky Heart.

Billy Ray Cyrus Turns 50, Prepares for Grandfatherhood is a post from: The Inquisitr

Billy Ray Cyrus’ 12th studio album I’m American, which hit store shelves just yesterday, was apparently inspired by his USO trip to Afghanistan back in December of 2009. During one of his performances during the tour, bombs could be heard going off in the background, prompting the country singer to stop. A soldier in attendance at the performance shouted out, “Keep going, Mr. Cyrus! We’re used to it.”

It was at that moment, Cyrus claimed, that he knew he would record the tribute album.

“I was going to come back and record ‘Some Gave All’ and start an entire album on a concept that was based solely on taking my hat off and saluting our troops,” he said. He continued, saying, “I felt like maybe my part to play is to let them know how much we appreciate their service and sacrifice.”

Cyrus will be continuing his patriotic streak with Surprise Homecoming, premiering June 11 on TLC. The show documents the surprise return of troops deployed overseas, with Cyrus himself hosting. The show’s theme song is reported to be Runway Lights, the first track off of I’m American.

via USA Today

Billy Ray Cyrus’ ‘I’m American’ Album Inspired by Afghan Tour is a post from: The Inquisitr

Billy Ray Cyrus recently revealed that his family really doesn’t think too highly of famed Annie Leibovitz, who photographed Miley Cyrus in a controversial photoshoot earlier this year. Billy Ray spoke out on Ryan Seacrest’s KIIS-FM radio show on Monday, saying that Annie Leibovitz was now following his family like “paparazzi.”

“I was catching these crawdads [with daughter Noah, 8] and all the sudden this paparazzi lady jumps out with this big bazooka lens and starts snapping away. My little girl Noah looks up and says, ‘Is that Annie Leibovitz?’”

I have a feeling that there’s more background to the story than he’s letting on. After all, Miley Cyrus is a total cash cow and her relationship with Disney is very important to continue building her billion-plus empire. After eyebrows were raised and it was revealed that Billy Ray “happened” to step out for the crucial last photos, he’s probably got a big fat grudge going.

I’m not sure if a woman who produces work like this (and this and this) could ever be a member of the paparazzi, no matter what really happened.

Billie Ray Cyrus Says Annie Leibovitz is “Paparazzi” is a post from: The Inquisitr