Billy Ray Cyrus Turns 50, Prepares for Grandfatherhood

Billy Ray Cyrus, the actor and country singing legend who is perhaps best known for his role as the father of Hannah Montana (Miley), celebrates his 50th birthday today.

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.