Billy Ray's Other Side

by Emily T. Wierenga

He sang about broken hearts in 1992. Now he seeks to heal them with faith-filled lyrics.

He’s been referred to as the ‘mullet-man,’ has won the hearts of millions with his charismatic concerts, heads up his own self-named charity, stars in an internationally-acclaimed TV series, and just finished filming a movie with Kim Basinger.

Yet, despite his many accomplishments, country music star Billy Ray Cyrus finds true meaning elsewhere.

“My family… and my (Christian) spirituality are my foundation,” he shares.

Cyrus has come a long way over the
past decade, as a result of the multi-platinum legacy of his album, Some Gave All, featuring the mega-hit “Achy Breaky Heart.”
He was homeless, living out of a Chevy Beretta, when he recorded the infectious single. Now he owns a Greek-revival style home on 500-acres of property near Nashville, TN.

“That Beretta was my home,” he told New York Daily News. “Have you ever lived inside of a Chevy? It’s not easy. Without that song, I don’t know where my life would be.”

Instant fame followed this long sought-after hit. However, Cyrus’ life spun out of control, whirling so fast he felt as if God couldn’t hear him anymore.

“But it wasn’t that God wasn’t listening,” he explains. “It’s that I wasn’t taking the time to be still and make sure that prayer was getting through.”

Cyrus’ sensitivity to God began when he was a kid, growing up in Kentucky.
“I was raised around Jesus,” he shares, “and my ‘PapPaw Cyrus’ was a big part of bringing the Lord into my life.”

The grandfather of whom he speaks was a Pentecostal preacher. Cyrus’ father was also a believer in Jesus Christ, and sung in a gospel quartet (which Cyrus joined in grade school). Today, Cyrus continues to sing gospel on-stage, showing fans there’s more than meets the eye to this Elvis-like performer.

Now, after three years of silence in the studio, Cyrus is making it even more obvious that his heart belongs to Jesus through his 15th album, The Other Side.

Released in October 2003, the production features 11 tracks of country, soft rock, and blues, which intertwine stories with the gospel message.


Yet, more gripping than the lyrics, is the 42-year-old’s conviction that God planned the collection. He organized the details to “make the record that I’ve wanted to make my whole life ... a gospel record, an inspirational record,” Cyrus says.

“Before this gospel album was even discussed, I heard a little voice in my head saying to make it,” he adds.

Cyrus received this message in the midst of shooting his fourth season of Doc — the highly-rated drama in which he plays the countrified Dr. Clint Cassidy, newly-arrived to a city practice.

Minutes after hearing from God, Cyrus received a phone call from Nashville producer Billy Joe Walker asking, “How’d you like to cut an inspirational album?”
It was a miraculous day that catalyzed a truly inspiring compilation.

Cyrus accredits the title-track to God, as well.

“I got on my knees and prayed, and said, ‘God, if you want me to write a song for this album, you have to give it to me. Because what can I write that’s worthy?’ And the song just came flowing out of me,” he relates.

The album challenges its listeners to live their faith transparently, something Cyrus feels he needs to learn more than anyone. After all, it’s not easy to share one’s faith — particularly when you are in the public eye.

Not only has Cyrus earned three No. 1 and six Top 10 singles during his career, but the weekly drama in which he stars has received the Parents Television Council Award for three consecutive years, and is named “one of the best shows on television” in the “Top 10 Best Prime Time Shows” list.

Cyrus has also appeared in five movies — his latest being Elvis Has Left the Building (premiering in 2004), in which he stars as a bus driver — and has been named 2003 Honorary Spokesperson for the US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program (providing toys for underprivileged children at Christmas).

As well, Cyrus is a devoted husband and father. And, despite his passion for music, film, and charity work, Cyrus regrets the time he has to spend away from his family.

“Although I have a great relationship with my wife (Laticia) and (six) kids, I wish I could see them more,” he admits.

However, Cyrus adds, “I work hard to make sure that everything falls into place, and that I can spend quality time with my family.”

Not everyone could accomplish this with such a full schedule. Cyrus says he’s able to succeed at it because “As a father I am able to go to Jesus for advice.”

Although he has released a gospel album, the artist wants to underline one fact about himself.

“By no means ... am I proclaiming that I’m this perfect, religious person. I’m not all of a sudden stepping up on a pedestal and saying ‘I’m holier than thou,’ because I’m not!” Cyrus insists.

“I’m a very imperfect person, but isn’t that why God sent His Son Jesus to this earth? To save sinners like me?

“The relationship with Jesus is very special to me,” Cyrus continues. “He ... tells me what direction ... to take with my life.”

Ultimately, Cyrus prays his new album “leads others not ... to look at me, but to see God through it.” 

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