Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Billy Ray Cyrus

How Billy Ray Cyrus built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Billy Ray Cyrus is an American singer, songwriter, and actor prominent in the country music scene. He gained widespread recognition for his hit single "Achy Breaky Heart" in 1992, which topped the U.S. Hot Country Songs chart and achieved triple platinum status in Australia, becoming the best-selling single that year. The song's music video contributed to the popularization of line dancing. Cyrus has released 16 studio albums and 53 singles since starting his music career.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1990: Signed with PolyGram/Mercury

In 1990, Billy Ray Cyrus was signed to PolyGram/Mercury and opened for Reba McEntire.

1992: Release of 'Some Gave All'

In 1992, Billy Ray Cyrus released 'Some Gave All', which debuted at No. 1 on multiple charts and featured hit singles like "Achy Breaky Heart".

1992: Debut Album Release

In 1992, Billy Ray Cyrus released his debut album after recording and writing music.

1992: Success of "Achy Breaky Heart"

In 1992, Billy Ray Cyrus's "Achy Breaky Heart" topped the U.S. Hot Country Songs chart and became the first single to achieve triple platinum status in Australia. It was also the best-selling single in Australia in 1992.

1992: Success of 'Some Gave All' album

In 1992, Billy Ray Cyrus's debut album 'Some Gave All' was the best-selling album of the year in the US, selling 4,832,000 copies.

1992: Debut Album

In 1992, Billy Ray Cyrus's debut album, Some Gave All, featured songs he co-wrote with Cindy Smith.

1993: Top 40 Singles from 'Some Gave All'

From 1992 to 1993, Billy Ray Cyrus had four consecutive top 40 singles on the Hot Country Songs chart from his album 'Some Gave All'.

1993: Release of 'It Won't Be the Last'

In 1993, Billy Ray Cyrus released his second studio album, 'It Won't Be the Last', which featured four singles and debuted at No. 1 on the Country charts.

1993: First top 5 Entry

Since 1993, Home at Last was Billy Ray Cyrus's first top 5 entry.

1994: Contribution to AIDS benefit album

In 1994, Billy Ray Cyrus contributed the song "Pictures Don't Lie" to the AIDS benefit album Red Hot + Country produced by the Red Hot Organization.

1994: Release of 'Storm in the Heartland'

In 1994, Billy Ray Cyrus released his third studio album, 'Storm in the Heartland', which was the final album he recorded for PolyGram.

1996: Release of 'Trail of Tears'

In 1996, Billy Ray Cyrus released his critically acclaimed album 'Trail of Tears' for Mercury Records, which debuted at No. 20 on the Country chart.

1996: 'Some Gave All' Certified 9x Multi-Platinum

In 1996, Billy Ray Cyrus's album 'Some Gave All' was certified 9x multi-platinum in the United States.

1998: Release of 'Shot Full of Love'

In 1998, Billy Ray Cyrus released 'Shot Full of Love', his last album for Mercury Records.

1999: Starred in Radical Jack

In 1999, Billy Ray Cyrus starred in the independent film Radical Jack.

1999: Signed with Monument Records

In 1999, after leaving Mercury Records, Billy Ray Cyrus signed with Monument Records.

1999: First Top 5 single

Since 1999, "Ready, Set, Don't Go" was Billy Ray Cyrus's first Top 5 single.

2000: First country album since 2000

Billy Ray Cyrus released his first country album since 2000, titled Wanna Be Your Joe.

2000: Release of Southern Rain

In 2000, Billy Ray Cyrus released his debut album for Monument Records, 'Southern Rain', which debuted at No. 13 on the Country albums chart.

2001: Acted in Mulholland Drive and Lead in Doc

In 2001, Billy Ray Cyrus had a small part in David Lynch's film Mulholland Drive and played the lead role in the PAX comedy-drama Doc.

2001: Starred in television show Doc

In 2001, Billy Ray Cyrus starred in the television show Doc, about a country doctor who moved from Montana to New York City.

2003: Release of Christian Albums

In 2003, Billy Ray Cyrus released two Christian albums, 'Time Flies' and 'The Other Side'.

2004: End of Doc television show

In 2004, Billy Ray Cyrus finished his role in the television show Doc.

2004: Guest Starred on Degrassi

In 2004, Billy Ray Cyrus guest-starred as a limo driver in an episode of Degrassi: The Next Generation.

2005: Starred in Annie Get Your Gun

In 2005, Billy Ray Cyrus expanded his acting career by appearing in a stage production of Annie Get Your Gun in Toronto, playing Frank Butler.

2005: Started in Hannah Montana

In late 2005, Billy Ray Cyrus began co-starring with his daughter Miley Cyrus in Hannah Montana.

March 24, 2006: Hannah Montana Premiere

On March 24, 2006, Billy Ray Cyrus and his daughter Miley Cyrus began co-starring in the Disney Channel series, Hannah Montana.

2006: Appearance with Metal Skool

In 2006, Billy Ray Cyrus appeared with metal-rock group Metal Skool (now Steel Panther) and performed several songs.

2006: Starred in Hannah Montana

In 2006, Billy Ray Cyrus began starring as Robby Ray Stewart in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana with his daughter Miley Cyrus.

2006: Sang The Star Spangled Banner

In 2006, Billy Ray Cyrus sang "The Star Spangled Banner" at Game 5 of the World Series in St. Louis, Missouri.

March 2007: Dancing with the Stars

In March 2007, Billy Ray Cyrus participated in the fourth season of Dancing with the Stars.

May 8, 2007: Dancing with the Stars Elimination

On May 8, 2007, Billy Ray Cyrus and his partner Karina Smirnoff were eliminated from Dancing with the Stars.

July 2007: Release of Home at Last

In July 2007, Billy Ray Cyrus released his album 'Home at Last' on Walt Disney Records, which debuted at No. 3 on the country charts.

October 2007: Duet on Dancing with the Stars

In October 2007, Billy Ray Cyrus and his daughter Miley performed a duet of "Ready, Set, Don't Go" on Dancing with the Stars.

2007: Contestant on Dancing with the Stars

In 2007, Billy Ray Cyrus was a celebrity contestant on the 4th season of Dancing with the Stars, finishing in 5th place.

August 2008: Somebody Said a Prayer Debuted

In August 2008, Billy Ray Cyrus's single, "Somebody Said a Prayer" debuted at No. 53.

October 21, 2008: Original release date of Back to Tennessee

October 21, 2008, was the originally planned release date for Billy Ray Cyrus's album Back to Tennessee.

November 12, 2008: Presented Award at CMA Awards

On November 12, 2008, Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus presented the "Song of the Year" award at the 42nd Annual Country Music Association Awards.

December 2008: Cameo in Metro Station's Video

In December 2008, Billy Ray Cyrus made a cameo in Metro Station's video, "Seventeen Forever".

2008: Ready, Set, Don't Go peakes at No. 4

In 2008, "Ready, Set, Don't Go" peaked at No. 4 on the Country charts, giving Billy Ray Cyrus his first top 5 single since 1999 and Miley's first top 5 on any Billboard chart.

2008: Disney collection Country Sings Disney

In 2008, Billy Ray Cyrus was a part of the Disney collection Country Sings Disney, with two of his songs, "Ready, Set, Don't Go" and "Real Gone", appearing on the album.

January 13, 2009: Release of Back to Tennessee

January 13, 2009, Billy Ray Cyrus's album Back to Tennessee was released.

March 14, 2009: Back to Tennessee Debuted

On March 14, 2009, the title track of the album Back to Tennessee debuted at No. 59 on the country singles chart.

September 5, 2009: A Good Day Debuted

On September 5, 2009, Billy Ray Cyrus's single "A Good Day" debuted at No. 60 on the country charts.

2009: Last charted single

In 2009, Billy Ray Cyrus had his last charted single, before his song Nineteen made it to the charts again.

2009: Formation of Brother Clyde

In early 2009, Billy Ray Cyrus, Phil Vassar, Jeffrey Steele, and John Waite formed a supergroup together called Brother Clyde.

January 2010: The Spy Next Door Release

In January 2010, Billy Ray Cyrus starred in Jackie Chan's movie, The Spy Next Door.

June 30, 2010: New Members for Brother Clyde

On June 30, 2010, Billy Ray Cyrus announced that the old members of Brother Clyde would be substituted by Samantha Maloney, Jamie Miller, Dan Knight, and Dave Henning.

August 10, 2010: Debut Album Released

On August 10, 2010, Brother Clyde's debut album was set to be released.

November 2010: I'm American album announcement

In November 2010, Billy Ray Cyrus initially scheduled the release of his new solo patriotic album, entitled I'm American.

2010: UFO: Unbelievably Freakin' Obvious

In 2010, Billy Ray Cyrus and his son Trace Cyrus were announced to be participating in a new Syfy reality series called UFO: Unbelievably Freakin' Obvious.

April 2011: Single Change

In April 2011, the lead-off single of the upcoming album I'm American was changed to "Runway Lights".

May 24, 2011: I'm American Album Release

On May 24, 2011, Billy Ray Cyrus released his patriotic solo album, I'm American, which had been delayed from its original November 2010 release date.

June 28, 2011: I'm American Released

On June 28, 2011, Billy Ray Cyrus released his solo album, I'm American.

August 2011: Nineteen Single Release

In August 2011, Billy Ray Cyrus released "Nineteen" as the second single from his album I'm American.

October 8, 2011: Nineteen Chart Debut

On October 8, 2011, Billy Ray Cyrus's song "Nineteen" debuted on the Hot Country Songs chart at number 58, marking his first charted single since 2009.

2011: End of Hannah Montana

In 2011, Billy Ray Cyrus finished his role in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana.

October 23, 2012: Change My Mind Album Release

On October 23, 2012, Billy Ray Cyrus released his album Change My Mind.

December 23, 2012: End of Broadway Debut

On December 23, 2012, Billy Ray Cyrus finished his temporary engagement on Broadway as Billy Flynn in Chicago.

2016: Starred in Still the King

In 2016, Billy Ray Cyrus began starring as Vernon Brownmule on the CMT sitcom Still the King.

2017: End of Still the King

In 2017, Billy Ray Cyrus finished his role in the CMT sitcom Still the King.

October 2019: "Old Town Road" Diamond Certification

In October 2019, "Old Town Road", featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, received a diamond certification by the RIAA for selling over ten million units in the United States, becoming the fastest song to achieve this milestone.

2019: Number one single with "Old Town Road"

In 2019, Billy Ray Cyrus earned his first number-one single on the US Billboard Hot 100 as a featured artist on a remix of Lil Nas X's song "Old Town Road".

2021: "New Day" Collaboration

In 2021, Billy Ray Cyrus and Firerose released "New Day", a collaboration featuring Firerose's vocals and Cyrus on guitar.

January 20, 2025: Performance at Presidential Inaugural Ball

On January 20, 2025, Billy Ray Cyrus performed at the presidential inaugural ball, celebrating the commencement of Donald Trump's second term.