History of Billy Ray Cyrus in Timeline
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.
August 25, 1961: Birth of Billy Ray Cyrus
On August 25, 1961, William Ray Cyrus, known as Billy Ray Cyrus, was born in Flatwoods, Kentucky.
1986: Marriage to Cindy Smith
In 1986, Billy Ray Cyrus married Cindy Smith.
1987: Adoption of Brandi Glenn Cyrus
In 1987, Billy Ray Cyrus adopted Brandi Glenn Cyrus, Tish Finley's daughter from a previous relationship.
1989: Adoption of Trace Dempsey Cyrus
In 1989, Billy Ray Cyrus adopted Trace Dempsey Cyrus, Tish Finley's son from a previous relationship.
1990: Signed with PolyGram/Mercury
In 1990, Billy Ray Cyrus was signed to PolyGram/Mercury and opened for Reba McEntire.
1991: Divorce from Cindy Smith
In 1991, Billy Ray Cyrus divorced Cindy Smith.
1992: Birth of Miley Ray Cyrus
In 1992, Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Finley welcomed their daughter Miley Ray Cyrus.
1992: Father of Two Children
In 1992, Billy Ray Cyrus became the father of two children with different women: Christopher Cody Cyrus and Miley Ray Cyrus.
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.
December 28, 1993: Marriage to Tish Finley
On December 28, 1993, Billy Ray Cyrus secretly married Leticia "Tish" Finley, who was pregnant with their second child.
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: Birth of Braison Chance Cyrus
In 1994, Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Finley welcomed their son Braison Chance Cyrus.
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.
1995: Closure of PolyGram
In 1995, PolyGram, the record label Billy Ray Cyrus was signed to, closed its doors.
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: Birth of Noah Lindsey Cyrus
In 2000, Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Finley welcomed their daughter Noah Lindsey Cyrus.
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.
2000: Campaign song for George W. Bush
In 2000, Billy Ray Cyrus's song "We the People" was used as a campaign song by Republican George W. Bush, even though Cyrus identified as a lifelong Democrat.
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.
October 26, 2010: Divorce Filing
On October 26, 2010, Billy Ray Cyrus filed for divorce from Tish Cyrus, citing irreconcilable differences.
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.
March 2011: Divorce Dropped
In March 2011, Billy Ray Cyrus announced that he had dropped the divorce proceedings against Tish Cyrus.
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.
June 13, 2013: Tish Cyrus Files for Divorce
On June 13, 2013, Tish Cyrus filed for divorce from Billy Ray Cyrus after 19 years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.
July 2013: Therapy and Dropped Divorce
In July 2013, Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Cyrus were reported to be in therapy and dropped the divorce proceedings.
2016: Starred in Still the King
In 2016, Billy Ray Cyrus began starring as Vernon Brownmule on the CMT sitcom Still the King.
April 2017: Name Change Announcement
In April 2017, Billy Ray Cyrus announced he would legally change his name to Cyrus, or "the artist formerly known as Billy Ray", however, he later assured fans his name would still be Billy Ray.
2017: End of Still the King
In 2017, Billy Ray Cyrus finished his role in the CMT sitcom Still the King.
2017: Divorce Dismissed
In 2017, the second divorce case was officially dismissed by the court since Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Cyrus failed to appear.
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".
June 2021: First Grandchild
In June 2021, Billy Ray Cyrus became a grandfather for the first time when his son Braison and daughter-in-law Stella welcomed their first child.
2021: "New Day" Collaboration
In 2021, Billy Ray Cyrus and Firerose released "New Day", a collaboration featuring Firerose's vocals and Cyrus on guitar.
April 2022: Tish Files for Divorce Again
In April 2022, Tish Cyrus filed for divorce from Billy Ray Cyrus a second time, revealing they had been separated for over two years.
August 2022: Engagement to Firerose
In August 2022, Billy Ray Cyrus became engaged to Australian singer Firerose.
May 2023: R&B/Hip-hop record broken by SZA
In May 2023, the record set by "Old Town Road" on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart was broken by SZA's "Kill Bill".
October 10, 2023: Marriage to Firerose
On October 10, 2023, Billy Ray Cyrus married Australian singer Firerose.
May 22, 2024: Filed for divorce from Firerose
On May 22, 2024, Billy Ray Cyrus filed for divorce from Firerose citing irreconcilable differences and inappropriate marital conduct. Cyrus also requested an annulment due to fraud.
August 5, 2024: Divorce from Firerose finalized
On August 5, 2024, Billy Ray Cyrus and Firerose finalized their divorce.
August 8, 2024: Endorsement of Donald Trump
On August 8, 2024, Billy Ray Cyrus endorsed Republican former President Donald Trump in the 2024 US Presidential Election.
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.
