History of Billy Ray Cyrus in Timeline
Billy Ray Cyrus is a prominent American country singer, songwriter, and actor. With a career spanning over three decades, he has released 16 studio albums and 53 singles. His most iconic song, "Achy Breaky Heart" (1992), achieved remarkable success, topping the U.S. Hot Country Songs chart and becoming the first single to reach triple platinum status in Australia. The song's popularity also sparked a line dancing craze.
August 25, 1961: Birth of Billy Ray Cyrus
Billy Ray Cyrus was born on August 25, 1961.
1966: Cyrus's Parents Divorce
In 1966, when Billy Ray Cyrus was a young child, his parents, Ron Cyrus and Ruth Ann Casto, made the difficult decision to divorce.
1986: Marriage to Cindy Smith
Billy Ray Cyrus married Cindy Smith in 1986.
1987: Brandi Glenn Cyrus is Born
Brandi Glenn Cyrus was born in 1987.
1989: Trace Dempsey Cyrus is Born
Trace Dempsey Cyrus (born Neil Timothy Helson) was born in 1989.
1990: Cyrus Signs Record Deal; Opens for Reba McEntire
In a pivotal year for his music career, Billy Ray Cyrus secured a record deal with PolyGram/Mercury in 1990. That same year, he had the opportunity to open for renowned country singer Reba McEntire, further elevating his profile in the industry.
1991: Divorce from Cindy Smith
Billy Ray Cyrus and Cindy Smith divorced in 1991.
1992: Birth of Miley Ray Cyrus
Miley Ray Cyrus was born in 1992.
1992: "Some Gave All" Achieves Record-Breaking Success
In 1992, Billy Ray Cyrus's debut album, "Some Gave All," was released to immense commercial success. The album topped the Billboard 200 chart for a record-breaking 17 consecutive weeks, making it the longest time a debut album, particularly by a country artist, held that position.
1992: "Achy Breaky Heart" Released
In 1992, Billy Ray Cyrus released his hit single "Achy Breaky Heart." The song was a global phenomenon, popularizing line dancing and achieving triple platinum status in Australia.
1992: "Some Gave All" Released
Billy Ray Cyrus released his debut album, "Some Gave All," in 1992. The album was a huge success, reaching number one in multiple countries.
1992: Debut Album Release
Billy Ray Cyrus released his debut album, "Some Gave All," in 1992, which featured songs co-written with his ex-wife, Cindy Smith.
1992: Cyrus Releases Debut Album
Billy Ray Cyrus released his debut album in 1992.
1992: Birth of Son and Daughter
Billy Ray Cyrus became a father to two children with different women in 1992: Christopher Cody Cyrus with Kristin Luckey and Miley Ray Cyrus with Leticia "Tish" Finley.
December 28, 1993: Marriage to Leticia "Tish" Finley
While Tish Finley was pregnant with their second child, the couple secretly married on December 28, 1993, despite advice from Cyrus' record company.
1993: Previous Top 5 Entry on Country Charts
Billy Ray Cyrus achieved a top 5 entry on the country charts in 1993, marking a significant career milestone.
1993: Four Singles From "Some Gave All" Hit Charts
From 1992 to 1993, four singles from Billy Ray Cyrus's debut album "Some Gave All" made it onto the Hot Country Songs chart's top 40.
1993: "It Won't Be the Last" Released
In 1993, Billy Ray Cyrus released his second studio album, "It Won't Be the Last," under Mercury Records. The album achieved commercial success, debuting at number one on the Country charts and number three on the Billboard 200.
1994: Birth of Braison Chance Cyrus
Braison Chance Cyrus was born in 1994.
1994: Cyrus Contributes to AIDS Benefit Album
Demonstrating his support for a worthy cause, Billy Ray Cyrus contributed the song "Pictures Don't Lie" to the 1994 AIDS benefit album "Red Hot + Country." This album was produced by the Red Hot Organization.
1994: "Storm in the Heartland" Released
In 1994, Billy Ray Cyrus released his third studio album, "Storm in the Heartland." This marked his final album with PolyGram, as the label shut down the following year. The album did not achieve the same level of commercial success as his previous works.
1995: PolyGram Closes its Doors
In 1995, PolyGram, the record label that Billy Ray Cyrus was signed to, closed its doors.
1996: "Some Gave All" Certified 9x Multi-Platinum
By 1996, "Some Gave All" had sold over 20 million copies worldwide and was certified 9x multi-platinum in the United States.
1996: "Trail of Tears" Released
In 1996, Billy Ray Cyrus released "Trail of Tears" under Mercury Records, an album that would garner critical acclaim. Despite the positive reception from critics, the album did not achieve significant commercial success.
1998: "Shot Full of Love" Released
In 1998, Billy Ray Cyrus released "Shot Full of Love," his last album with Mercury Records. The album marked a low point in his career in terms of chart performance.
1999: Previous Top 5 Single
Billy Ray Cyrus achieved a top 5 single in 1999, highlighting his continued success in the music industry.
1999: "Radical Jack" Film Release
In 1999, Billy Ray Cyrus starred in the independent film "Radical Jack."
1999: Cyrus Signs with Monument Records
In 1999, seeking a fresh start after his departure from Mercury Records, Billy Ray Cyrus signed a new record deal with Monument Records.
2000: Release of "Wanna Be Your Joe"
Billy Ray Cyrus released "Wanna Be Your Joe," his first country album since 2000's "Southern Rain," marking his return to the country music scene.
2000: "We the People" Used in George W. Bush Campaign
Despite reportedly being a lifelong Democrat, Billy Ray Cyrus's song "We the People" was used as a campaign song by Republican George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential election.
2000: "Southern Rain" Released
In 2000, Billy Ray Cyrus released "Southern Rain," marking his debut album under the Monument Records label. The album performed moderately well, reaching number 13 on the Country albums chart and number 102 on the Billboard 200.
2000: Birth of Noah Lindsey Cyrus
Noah Lindsey Cyrus was born in 2000.
2001: Film Appearances and "Doc" TV Series
Billy Ray Cyrus had a small role in David Lynch's film "Mulholland Drive" and starred in the PAX comedy-drama "Doc," which became the network's highest-rated show in 2001.
2001: "Doc" Premieres
In 2001, Billy Ray Cyrus took on the lead role in the television series "Doc," portraying a country doctor who relocates 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," marking a departure from his previous country music style.
2004: Guest Appearance on "Degrassi: The Next Generation"
Billy Ray Cyrus made a guest appearance as a limo driver in the episode "The Power of Love" on the Canadian teen drama "Degrassi: The Next Generation" in 2004.
2004: "Doc" Concludes
In 2004, the television series, "Doc," in which Billy Ray Cyrus starred, came to an end.
2005: "Annie Get Your Gun" Stage Debut
Billy Ray Cyrus expanded his acting career in 2005 by taking on the role of Frank Butler in a stage production of "Annie Get Your Gun" in Toronto.
2005: Television Specials on Billy Ray Cyrus's Career
Several television specials, including two ABC documentaries and VH1 exclusives, aired, detailing Billy Ray Cyrus's rise to fame and his career in 2005.
March 24, 2006: "Hannah Montana" Premieres
On March 24, 2006, "Hannah Montana," a Disney Channel original series starring Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus, premiered.
2006: National Anthem Performance at World Series
Billy Ray Cyrus performed "The Star Spangled Banner" at Game 5 of the 2006 World Series in St. Louis, Missouri, a testament to his national recognition.
2006: Performance with Metal Skool
Billy Ray Cyrus showcased his versatility by performing with the metal-rock group Metal Skool (now Steel Panther) in 2006, including renditions of rock classics.
2006: "Hannah Montana" Premieres
In 2006, Billy Ray Cyrus began co-starring alongside his daughter, Miley Cyrus, in the Disney Channel series "Hannah Montana." His role as Robby Ray Stewart, a fictionalized version of himself, added a layer of personal connection to the show.
March 2007: Joins "Dancing with the Stars"
In March 2007, Billy Ray Cyrus joined the fourth season of the US version of "Dancing with the Stars."
May 8, 2007: Eliminated from "Dancing with the Stars"
Billy Ray Cyrus and his partner Karina Smirnoff were eliminated from "Dancing with the Stars" on May 8, 2007.
July 2007: Release of "Home at Last"
Billy Ray Cyrus released his album "Home at Last" in July 2007, which became his first top 5 entry on the country charts since 1993.
October 2007: Duet Performance with Miley Cyrus on "Dancing with the Stars"
In October 2007, Billy Ray Cyrus and his daughter Miley performed a duet together on "Dancing with the Stars," marking their first collaborative performance on national television.
2007: Dancing with the Stars Appearance
In 2007, Billy Ray Cyrus appeared as a contestant on the popular dance competition show "Dancing with the Stars," showcasing his dancing skills and gaining a wider fan base.
August 2008: Debut of "Somebody Said a Prayer"
The single "Somebody Said a Prayer" from Billy Ray Cyrus's album "Back to Tennessee" debuted in August 2008, marking the start of the album's rollout.
October 21, 2008: Initial Release Date for "Back to Tennessee"
Billy Ray Cyrus's album "Back to Tennessee" was initially scheduled for release on October 21, 2008, marking his return to studio recording.
November 12, 2008: Presentation at the Country Music Association Awards
Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus presented the "Song of the Year" award at the 42nd Annual Country Music Association Awards on November 12, 2008, highlighting their prominence in the country music industry.
December 2008: Cameo Appearance in Metro Station's Music Video
Billy Ray Cyrus made a cameo appearance in Metro Station's music video for "Seventeen Forever" in December 2008, demonstrating his support for other artists.
2008: Contribution to "Country Sings Disney"
Billy Ray Cyrus participated in the Disney project "Country Sings Disney" in 2008, contributing his musical talent to the compilation album.
2008: Chart Success of "Ready, Set, Don't Go" Duet
The duet version of "Ready, Set, Don't Go" by Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus reached number 4 on the charts in 2008, becoming his first top 5 single since 1999 and Miley's first top 5 on any Billboard chart.
January 13, 2009: Postponed Release of "Back to Tennessee"
After a series of delays, Billy Ray Cyrus's album "Back to Tennessee" was finally released on January 13, 2009.
March 14, 2009: Debut of "Back to Tennessee" Title Track
The title track from Billy Ray Cyrus's album "Back to Tennessee" debuted on the country singles chart on March 14, 2009, marking the beginning of its promotional cycle.
September 5, 2009: Release of "A Good Day"
Billy Ray Cyrus released the single "A Good Day" from his album "Back to Tennessee" on September 5, 2009, as part of its continued promotion.
2009: Last Charted Single Before "Nineteen"
Billy Ray Cyrus's single "A Good Day" from 2009 marked his last charted single before the release of "Nineteen" in 2011, highlighting the significance of "Nineteen"'s chart performance.
2009: Formation of Supergroup Brother Clyde
In 2009, Billy Ray Cyrus joined forces with Phil Vassar, Jeffrey Steele, and John Waite to create the supergroup Brother Clyde, embarking on a new musical venture.
January 2010: "The Spy Next Door" Release
Billy Ray Cyrus starred in Jackie Chan's movie "The Spy Next Door," which was released in January 2010.
June 30, 2010: Brother Clyde Lineup Changes and Single Release
Billy Ray Cyrus announced changes to the Brother Clyde lineup on June 30, 2010, with new members joining the band and the release of their single "Lately."
August 10, 2010: Planned Release of Brother Clyde Debut Album
The debut album from Billy Ray Cyrus's band Brother Clyde was scheduled for release on August 10, 2010.
October 26, 2010: Files for Divorce from Tish Cyrus
Billy Ray Cyrus filed for divorce from Tish Cyrus on October 26, 2010, in Tennessee, citing irreconcilable differences.
November 2010: Initial Release Date for "I'm American"
Billy Ray Cyrus's patriotic album "I'm American" was initially scheduled to be released in November 2010, signaling his shift towards a more patriotic theme in his music.
2010: "UFO: Unbelievably Freakin' Obvious" Announcement
It was announced that Billy Ray and Trace Cyrus would participate in the Syfy reality series "UFO: Unbelievably Freakin' Obvious" in 2010.
March 2011: Drops Divorce Proceedings
In March 2011, Billy Ray Cyrus announced that he had dropped the divorce proceedings with Tish Cyrus.
April 2011: Change of Lead Single for "I'm American"
The lead single for Billy Ray Cyrus's album "I'm American" was changed to "Runway Lights" in April 2011, indicating a shift in the album's promotional strategy.
May 24, 2011: Rescheduled Release of "I'm American"
Billy Ray Cyrus's patriotic album, "I'm American," was initially set for release on May 24, 2011, after being pushed back from November 2010.
June 28, 2011: Release of "I'm American"
Billy Ray Cyrus's album "I'm American" was released on June 28, 2011, showcasing his patriotic themes and musical style.
August 2011: Release of "Nineteen"
Billy Ray Cyrus released the single "Nineteen" from his album "I'm American" in August 2011, as part of the album's continued promotion.
October 8, 2011: Chart Debut of "Nineteen"
Billy Ray Cyrus's single "Nineteen" entered the Hot Country Songs chart on October 8, 2011, marking his first charted single since "A Good Day" in 2009.
2011: "Hannah Montana" Concludes
In 2011, the Disney Channel series "Hannah Montana," starring Billy Ray Cyrus and his daughter Miley Cyrus, concluded after a successful run.
October 23, 2012: Release of "Change My Mind"
Billy Ray Cyrus released his album "Change My Mind" on October 23, 2012, reflecting a potential evolution in his musical direction and personal growth.
December 23, 2012: Broadway Debut in "Chicago"
Billy Ray Cyrus made his Broadway debut as Billy Flynn in "Chicago" from November 5 to December 23, 2012.
June 13, 2013: Tish Cyrus Files for Divorce
Tish Cyrus filed for divorce from Billy Ray Cyrus on June 13, 2013, after 19 years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.
July 2013: Reconciliation and Therapy
Reports surfaced in July 2013 that Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus were attending therapy and had stopped their divorce proceedings.
2016: "Still The King" Premieres
Billy Ray Cyrus returned to television in 2016 with the CMT sitcom "Still the King." He played the character Vernon Brownmule.
April 2017: Name Change Clarification
Billy Ray Cyrus addressed rumors of a legal name change in April 2017, clarifying that it pertained to an album title and not a personal decision, alleviating fan concerns.
2017: "Still The King" Concludes
In 2017, the CMT sitcom "Still the King," in which Billy Ray Cyrus starred, came to an end.
2017: Second Divorce Case Dismissed
The second divorce case between Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus was officially dismissed in 2017 due to their failure to appear in court.
October 2019: Diamond Certification and Record-Breaking Success of "Old Town Road"
Billy Ray Cyrus's collaboration on the remix of "Old Town Road" with Lil Nas X achieved diamond certification by the RIAA in October 2019, marking a significant career milestone and the song's massive commercial success.
2019: "Old Town Road" Remix Tops Charts
In 2019, Billy Ray Cyrus was featured on a remix of Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road." The song became a global hit, breaking the record for the longest consecutive weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart with 19 weeks.
June 2021: Becomes a Grandfather
Billy Ray Cyrus became a grandfather for the first time in June 2021 when his son Braison and daughter-in-law Stella (McBride) Cyrus welcomed their first child.
2021: Collaboration with Firerose on "New Day"
Billy Ray Cyrus and Firerose released "New Day," a musical collaboration, in 2021.
April 2022: Tish Cyrus Files for Divorce Again
After a reconciliation, Tish Cyrus filed for divorce from Billy Ray Cyrus for the second time in April 2022, stating they had been separated for over two years.
August 2022: Engagement to Firerose
Billy Ray Cyrus became engaged to Australian singer Firerose in August 2022.
May 2023: SZA Breaks R&B/Hip-Hop Record
In May 2023, Cyrus's record on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart with "Old Town Road" was surpassed by SZA's "Kill Bill."
October 10, 2023: Marriage to Firerose
Billy Ray Cyrus married Australian singer Firerose on October 10, 2023, after meeting on the set of "Hannah Montana" over a decade prior.