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REVIEW OF CASINO RAMA SHOW FROM THE TORONTO SUN, JOE WARMINGTON
Monday Oct 8, 2007
PRINTED BY PERMISSION OF JOE WARMINGTON
The Toronto Sun © Copyright 2007, Sun Media Corporation
It's been 15 years since this Sun scribe first met the guy with the mullet, but
Billy Ray Cyrus still Breaky Hearts
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Column: Saturday Scrawler
BY JOE WARMINGTON
Dateline: RAMA
When I first met him Brian Mulroney was prime minister, the Canadian dollar was
worth 79 cents to an American buck, the Blue Jays had not yet won a World
Series, and I was 180 pounds.
Heck, legendary newsman Doug Creighton was still at the helm of the Toronto Sun,
coaching the Maple Leafs was Pat Burns, Mats Sundin was still with the Quebec
Nordiques, while scoring the goals for the Buds was Doug Gilmour.
Yes, lots has happened since I first met Billy Ray Cyrus in the spring of 1992.
"Scrawler, 15 years is a long time," he says with his vintage Southern drawl.
"It su re has been a fun ride."
We've had four prime ministers since then, several owners of this newspaper, the
dollar is now worth more than the Yank buck, we've seen two World Series
championships and I won't say how much weight I have gained.
EDITOR FOR A DAY
Everything changes. But one thing that has stayed the same is the Leafs still
have not won a Cup -- and we still have a friendship with Mr. Cyrus.
When I say "we" I mean the Toronto Sun -- and of course his legions of fans from
the GTA who were in on the ground floor of the Achy Breaky Heart phenomenon.
"I was your editor one time, don't forget," teases Cyrus of a promotion we did
here making him editor for a day. "I have always had an affection for Toronto
and so do my kids."
The Cyruses lived in Toronto for five years while he was filming the TV show
Doc, and he became a pretty big Leaf fan during that time. In fact, he still
wears his team sweater Burns gave him way back in 1992. "I was complaining I
never got to enjoy a Stanley Cup when fans reminded me around here they have
been suffering for a lot longer," jokes Cyrus. "I still have hope for this
year."
We had a lot of fun in the early days -- when Cyrus was a bar act back in
Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. It was then Sun editor-in-chief Les Pyette who
had a hunch this kid with the mullet was going to be the next Elvis.
I didn't believe it. Cyrus didn't either. But Les was sure something big was
going to happen.
He sent photographer Ken Kerr and myself down to the States to find out who this
kid was.
Six weeks after we met, Cyrus was a star. His debut single and video, Achy
Breaky Heart, was No. 1 on not just the country charts but the rock,
contemporary and pop, too.
When the dust settled, there were 12 million records sold and a run few artists
could even dream about. And now, his daughter Miley is smoking hot with the hit
Disney show Hannah Montana, in which he also co-stars.
Time flies and the years have gone by. But there we were together again last
night at Casino Rama. Billy Ray and his band and all sorts of his faithful fans
-- people like Sherry Spofford and her mom Yvonne, Vickie Holbrook and her
daughter Rebecca Staples, Linda Bell, Lesley Smith, Pam Smith and Joy Gingell.
It was like time had stood still. It's not often in your lifetime you get to
meet a star before he was famous and be able to enjoy all of their success for
years. "It's strange because now my kids are all big fans and they were not even
born yet," Pyette said last night as we went backstage to see our pal. "I had a
feeling about this guy and I guess that was one call I got right."
The thing I admire about Cyrus the most is survival ability. He kind of reminds
me of Doug Flutie in football or Ted Nolan in hockey -- underdogs who keep on
tr ucking and always get the last laugh.
It was interesting to all of us that his new album is called Home at Last, since
last night's show was a real homecoming for Cyrus and his Toronto-area posse. "I
am enjoying this now more than anything that happened before," he said.
Cyrus still can bring it. What a show. He played his hits and the fans went
nuts. There's nothing wrong with having a little fun. No one was talking about
the election or inflation. Just partying and enjoying. "It's all about the
fans," Cyrus said. "I tell my daughter all the time to remember it's all about
entertaining them."
It will be interesting to see where Miley is in 15 years -- and who is prime
minister, how much the dollar is worth, how much I'll weigh and if the Maple
Leafs will have won the darned Stanley Cup.
Man, what a nice weekend this is going to be. Happy Thanksgiving.
Scrawler out!
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"HOME AT LAST" REVIEW FROM THE COLUMN "QUICK SPINS" IN THE KENOSHA, WI NEWS
Monday Sep 17, 2007
By Dan Pavelich
Billy Ray Cyrus
Home At Last (Disney)
www.billyraycyrus.com
It's easy to dismiss Billy Ray Cyrus as the guy who sang "Achey Breaky Heart"
and starred in the mild TV drama "Doc." On last year's "I Wanna Be Your Joe,"
Cyrus even mocked himself with the song "I Want My Mullet Back." Unfortunately
for Cyrus, nobody really cared too much about the status of the afore-mentioned
hair-don't.
Somewhere along the line, fatherhood and the tough choices of life forced Billy
Ray to reassess his career direction. "Home At Last" is an honest collection of
songs dealing with subjects like your children leaving home in "Ready, Set,
Don't Go," and the disheartening shortness of a lifetime in "Flying By."
Cyrus's voice, sounding more gravelly than usual, comes across in the same way
that Johnny Cash's did on so many of his unforgettable story songs. Rarely does
an artist, who was once simply a product, mature into a voice that warrants a
serious second listen. "Home At Last" is Cyrus's invitation for you to consider
that second listen.
Highly recommended.
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REVIEW OF "HOME AT LASY" FROM WWW.TRUCKERTOTRUCKER.COM
Wednesday Aug 8, 2007
JUKEBOX -Billy Ray Cyrus's new "Home At Last" released last week in my opinion is one of, if not his best, works to date....give it a listen on cmt.com. If you can get past the "achy breaky" thing and just listen.....I love his version of "Brown-Eyed Girl" I was a little taken back by "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", I expected yet another skim version of the classic song from Wizard of Oz, but, well you listen - you'll see what I mean. "Flyin' By", can't get that song out of my head, any Dad can relate, "Ready, Set, Don't Go" also a great song. "The Buffalo" could easily be a song about truckers.
Re-discover Billy Ray, good stuff....really good stuff......
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ARTICLE FROM THE DAILY INDEPENDENT, ASHLAND,KY RE: BILLY RAY'S APPEARANCE AT THE PARAMOUNT
Wednesday Aug 8, 2007
Busy visit home
Fans come from afar for signing, concert
By SARAH LYNCH
The Independent
ASHLAND — After spending three hours with the 1,500 who came to see him at Wal-Mart, after a showing up for a press conference with local media outlets throughout the Tri-State and after a meet-and-greet with show sponsors, Billy Ray Cyrus still gave his all to the 1,400 attending his sold-out show at the Paramount Arts Center on Tuesday.
The day couldn’t have been busier for the country singer/actor and Flatwoods native. When he comes home, it’s obvious he wants to give back to the fans who have supported him during his 15-year roller- coaster ride of a career.
“Tonight feels really special,” he said at a press conference.
He gave credit to Judy Cornett, the vice president and marketing manager of Clear Channel Radio.
“She did a great job putting everything together with such short notice,” Cyrus said. “It was spur of the moment, but it felt like a chance to get back here and see family and old friends.”
It’s hard to go anywhere in the Tri-State and not run into at least one person who either claims to be a friend of Cyrus and his family or knows someone who is. And the singer seems to understand the connection the locals believe they have with him.
As usual, during his hometown concerts — this was his seventah at the Paramount — he calls out to fans at Paul G. Blazer High School, the alma mater of guitar player Michael Joe Sagraves.
“Are there any Tomcats out there?” And then, “How about any Russell Red Devils?” Cyrus is a Russell graduate.
On Tuesday, he was reminded by an audience member there were also Ironton Tigers in the audience.
During the years, Cyrus’ fan base has expanded. But recently, he is hitting the charts with nearly every generation throughout the nation.
Cornett, who had a list of names and locations of concert ticket- buyers, said several came from California, Virginia, Georgia and other states, as well as Canada.
Even Cyrus mentioned how widespread his popularity has become — generationally speaking. “Kids, parents, grandparents,” you name it, he said, they all feel a connection.
Because of his career as a country singer, his portrayal as a Christian doctor on the three-year TV show “Doc,” his performance on “Dancing With the Stars” and now his 14-year-old daughter’s stardom on the Disney Channel series “Hannah Montana,” on which he plays her TV dad, too, Cyrus has appealed to most all entertainment audiences.
“It’s an entire family experience,” he said. “‘Doc’ was a family show and now we’ve stepped it up with the ‘Hannah Montana’ series. I’ve now been in 138 or 139 episodes of TV. That’s pretty good for a boy from Flatwoods, Ky.”
When he walked on stage, it was obvious his fans thought it was “pretty good” too. The deafening roar from the crowd was followed by an energetic greeting from Cyrus, who showed no sign of fatigue from his busy day.
Band members Sagraves of Ashland, keyboardist Barton Stevens of Carter County, guitar player Terry Shelton of Boone County, W.Va., drummer Steve French of Flatwoods and Billy Copland and Norris Sherril, both of Paducah, smiled from ear to ear and played enthusiastically. They played songs from Cyrus’ first album “Some Gave All,” which debuted in 1992, through the new album “Home At Last.”
The album’s first single, “Ready, Set, Don’t Go,” is the tune Cyrus said is most special to him at this time. The lyrics tell of Cyrus’ struggle as a father to let go of his little girl (Miley) to let her chase her dreams and to let her grow up.
“It feels like it’s got a lot to say,” Cyrus said.
Though fans seemed to be appreciative of the new music as they had their CDs signed at Wal-Mart, no song will get a Billy Ray Cyrus crowd on its feet faster than “Achy Breaky Heart,” the song with a video that was filmed at the Paramount.
Tuesday’s crowd was no different. Everyone stood and sang and danced at their seats to the song that spent five weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. It also reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
To show the city’s appreciation and support of the star, Mayor Steve Gilmore, who sat on the front row with his family, surprised Cyrus with a key to the city and a proclamation announcing July 31 as Billy Ray Cyrus Day from here on out.
Cyrus appeared surprised.
“A Russell Red Devil gets a key to this city?” he asked.
Then to Sagraves: “Hey, Tomcat. I’ve got a key to your city.”
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THE VIEW FROM OUR SEATS: BILLY RAY CYRUS
Monday Oct 2, 2006
B.B. King Blues Bar and Grill, New York, NY, August 22, 2006
It's hard to go wrong with a show at Times Square's B.B. King's. Even if you're not particularly familiar with the headliner, the intimate venue and its rustic supper club atmosphere bring the performer in such close proximity that it feels like a private performance, even though you're only a few feet underground from one of the busiest thoroughfares in the world. I'd heard about the famed B.B. King's even before my first visit last month, but I was less familiar with the headliner I was going to see.
For some, Billy Ray Cyrus will forever be known as a mullet-headed country star, who just happened to bring line dancing into the American mainstream via his megahit 'Achy Breaky Heart.' And for Cyrus, that ain't a bad thing. In fact, on his latest album, 'Wanna Be Your Joe,' the Kentucky native pays homage to his oft-mocked 'do of days past, in a song that now outdoes even 'Achy' when it comes to pleasing the crowd.
Ever the true-blooded American, Cyrus opened his show with a rendition of 'The Star Spangled Banner' sung by Clique, a trio of precocious tweeners with pipes of gold. The Atlantic City preteens have been racking up national anthem gigs across the country, and their harmonizing prowess has them primed to become the next Disney supergroup (a la Cyrus' own daughter, Miley of 'Hannah Montana' fame).
When the ringing of the last note finally faded, it seemed as if Cyrus may have outdone himself by booking such a surprisingly auspicious opening act. But although his first song opened big, Cyrus, ever the seasoned performer, knew to take it one step further and called upon the crowd to get out of their seats, even though half the audience was still in the midst of dinner ($6 for a plate of 20 fries, anyone?). The mostly older crowd roared with approval, taking to their feet as if they'd been waiting to be asked.
These days, Cyrus' sound is lighter on the twang than during his 'Achy' days, with some of his latest singles holding as much crossover appeal as anything Shania Twain released during her mid-'90s heyday. And although it's been a while since the erstwhile heartthrob first made the ladies swoon, he's still knows how to make a housewife shriek. Punctuating every other song with a well-placed rump shake, Cyrus brought the room to a near panic, then stopped the show for several minutes to sign a particularly eager fan's jacket of Billy Ray idolatry. The Cyrus frenzy was exemplified when the unassuming performer offered his guitar pick to another female admirer. "I don't want the pick!" she declared. "I want you!"
Despite all the amorous attention, Cyrus makes a gracious, affable host, much as he is offstage, but he also knows when to throw in some incendiary (for a Disney Channel star, at least) banter. He denied several times having said "gashole" during an appearance on Fox News earlier that day, and provided some good-natured chitchat with his band, who looked like he'd picked them up at a truck stop on his way in from the Jersey Turnpike. In fact, a fervent fan who'd been at both the Foxwoods Casino and Indian Ranch shows claimed that this was the most animated she'd seen Cyrus so far. Judging by that particular fan's reactions, I'd say that Billy Ray needs only to smile a wee bit more. The rare, quick flash of his pearly whites made the married gals absolutely giddy.
But the overall showstopper was the aforementioned homage to hair, 'I Want My Mullet Back,' a raucous, foot-stompin' affair that had all in attendance singing along as if it were already an old standard. To say that Cyrus has a sense of humor about his much-maligned mane is an understatement: He's not only proud of his roots, he applauds it, even though he's since upgraded to a more modern Keith Urban cut. Even if you're not a country-phile, you gotta love a good ol' boy who waxes nostalgic for the good ol' days of Camaros, eight-tracks and (ahem) Bob Seger.
Jenna Robbins
BRCSpirit
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MUSIC CITY NEWS REVIEW OF "WANNA BE YOUR JOE"
Saturday Sep 16, 2006
BILLY RAY CYRUS
KEEPING IT REAL!
by Chuck Dauphin
Time can go by so swiftly. Case in point-- in the summer of 1992, there wasn’t a musical act hotter than Billy Ray Cyrus. His "Achy Breaky Heart" was camped out at #1 on the singles chart, while his SOME GAVE ALL album was selling like hotcakes. The record wasn’t a favorite of critics but fans immediately took a liking to the Kentucky native and, nearly fifteen years later, that love affair is very much alive.
If you have ever been to a Cyrus performance, you know what I’m talking about. The man defines the term "charisma." He literally keeps the crowds in the palm of his hands. There’s no doubt--they love him; and there’s no doubt--he loves them back.
MUSIC CITY NEWS had a chance to talk to Cyrus recently about all the exciting things that are happening in his career.
First of all, he is back in the record stores with his first new project in three years, WANNA BE YOUR JOE. The disc is one of the most exciting projects he has ever released and Cyrus says that one of his goals was to "make an album that is true, honest and comes from the heart; that’s what this record is."
Some of the standout tracks on the disc include "The Man," a tribute to the life and career of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt; the tongue-in-cheek "Pain In My Gas," a Haggard-esque take on the rising price of filling up a vehicle; and, "The Freebird Fell," a chilling account of the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash.
Cyrus says he is excited about the cut titled "Country Music Has The Blues," which features a couple of the genre’s all-time greats, George Jones and Loretta Lynn. "Man, you just don’t know what that means! Especially on a song I wrote when I was parked in a bus on my daddy’s farm in Eastern Kentucky. I was touring and instead of staying in a hotel and going to the next town we stayed at his place in the woods. We went out that night and were just standing in the forest listening to the whippoorwills. The song just came to me that night as a tribute to the people that I define as an honest tribute to the legends of Country Music."
He feels that getting the Hall Of Famers on the song brings a stamp of approval to it. "Again, there was no better way to validate it than to be joined by living legends such as George Jones and Loretta Lynn. The fact that the both of them joined me on this record was a dream come true. They didn’t just show up and sing, they absolutely put their personalities and their souls on the record. It’s just unbelievable."
Another special guest on WANNA BE YOUR JOE is his daughter, Miley, who performs on the song "Stand." Billy Ray is spending a lot of time with her as of late, as a result of the hit Disney Channel show "Hannah Montana," where Miley plays the title role and he plays her father.
"It’s going so well," he says of the working relationship. "The show has just really exploded. It’s amazing how huge it has gotten so fast. I approach working with Miley the same way I make music; I just try to pick words to make it real."
In his eyes, Miley has a lot of potential in both acting and music. "She’s got so much talent. I get to see it not just as a father, not just as a human being, but also as an actor. She’s also an incredible vocalist." He says that "Stand" was one of his biggest personal highlights, recording-wise.
With all the success he has enjoyed on the screen, Cyrus says that that wasn’t something he had thought about fourteen years ago, when he first arrived on the scene. "Early on, there was nothing else that would scare me more than doing a scene as an actor. I had never done anything on Broadway, or even a play in church. What little cameo I’d do, like "The Nanny," would scare me to death; each time I did one, I was terrified.
"Then, when I got cast in David Lynch’s ‘MULHOLLAND DRIVE,’ he looked at me and said, ‘If you want to be an actor, you got it...just be real.’ Most of the scenes I did were too taxing, but he would say ‘We got it.’ I’d tell them I’d be glad to do it again. David said the key to acting is ‘Just keep it real and be yourself. If you want to be an actor, just always remember to do what you’re doing right here.’"
He compares that approach with that of something he knows quite well. "It’s just like music," he says. "I write music that’s real, about the things that come from the heart and that’s what I’ll do. I’ll never paint the Mona Lisa and I know that…It’s just not what I do."
One thing he does do well is relate to the love shown from his fans because, as previously noted, it’s two-fold. His bond with them is the reason that he has gone back on the road during a break in filming from "Hannah Montana."
"I’m on tour every day from the time we shut down until we start back," he says. "I love the fans and making music for the fans. I’m anxious for the ones that have been with us through the years to hear the new album. They’ve been waiting on it for a long time too. I love these songs and have played them out on tour for the last couple of years."
Sharing his life with the crowds is something that is very important to the singer; he knows that when he touches a chord with a fan that they know where he’s coming from.
"That’s why I make music," he exclaims. "I love seeing the fans when they relate to a song that I’ve written. If it’s written to make them have a good time, they’re out there dancing, but if they light their lighters and hold them up in the air, it’s very rewarding."
BRCSpirit
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REVIEW FROM BLOGCRITICS - WANNA BE YOUR JOE
Tuesday Sep 12, 2006
Music Review: Billy Ray Cyrus - Wanna Be Your Joe
September 12, 2006
Mark Saleski
Wanna Be Your Joe
Billy Ray Cyrus
I have never gone line dancing. I have never owned a Camaro (though back in the 80's, I did covet the Berlinetta). Speaking of cars, I've never gone to a NASCAR event. A single night of drag-racing in my elementary school years is as close as it gets.
Hmmm...what else? I've never chewed tobacco. Never voted for a Republican. Never ate a pork rind. Pecan pie? No thanks.
Country music? There was never a whole lot of it around the house when I was a kid. Maybe a couple of Ray Price records. Mom might have owned a Charlie Pride album too. That's about it.
Teen years during the era of Classic Rock gave me a supposed hatred of country music. Please, don't bring up those Marshall Tucker and Commander Cody records.
So does some/any of this mean that I'm not a country music fan? Does it even matter? Maybe we should start up another of those "What Is Country?" arguments? Nah, nobody wants that.
What I find interesting about country music discussions is the sheer amount of sneer-laden condescension involved. All of it backed by absolute surety. That is NOT country music. He's a no-talent hack. Anybodywho likes that stuff must not know anything about music. And on it goes.
Sure enough, I do agree with a few viewpoints, mostly that it's a shame that more traditional country has been pushed aside by mainstream country media. Yes, Johnny Cash's middle finger was well-deserved. Modern country music has more to do with pop and rock. No big mystery there. It's a huge business. All of those pretty faces and bodies wrapped in jeans and big hats. So all of the above angry complaints about the music are about as pointless as the typical collection of "values" used to stereotype its fans.
None of this means that good music cannot rise up from the marketing-plan mediocrity.
So now, I suppose, I should construct a little defense of "Achy Breaky Heart" and then move on to Billy Ray Cyrus' Wanna Be Your Joe.
Forget it.
Well, OK. Maybe.
First of all, "Achy Breaky Heart" was just a little country/rock/blues/pop thing that made a bunch of folks (in my mind, young things packed into tight jeans) head out to the dance floor to partake in a little shakin'. For some reason though, this made blood boil in some quarters. Sheesh....relax, will ya?!
Wanna Be Your Joe doesn't deserve the baggage of "Achy Breaky" that comes with it. If this had been Cyrus' first release, we'd be talking about a country/pop record with leanings from rock to traditional country. Sure, a few stereotypes are touched on with the tributes to fallen heroes Ronnie Van Zandt ("The Freebird Fell") and Dale Earnhardt ("The Man"). Freed from history, we'd get an irony-free listen to "Country Music Has The Blues", with guest vocals from country music titans Loretta Lynn and George Jones. In between there are the love songs (the popish title track, "I Wouldn't Be Me"), the relationship rants ("Ole What's Her Name", "Lonely Wins") and even a look back to the glory days with "I Want My Mullet Back."
In truth, Wanna Be Your Joe has more in common with John Mellencamp than either a Dwight Yokum or Junior Brown. No crime in that.
But what do I know? I mean, I've got a pickup truck in my back yard that has to be mowed around. Oh, and I used to sport a mullet, too.
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REVIEW FROM UK'S "COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE" MAGAZINE
Sunday Apr 25, 2004
BILLY RAY CYRUS
The Other Side ****
By Julie Flaskett
Following quickly on the heels of Billy Ray's disappointing last release, Time Flies,
comes this Christian album, and a far more pleasing prospect it is, too.
For starters, its sacred theme gives the project a focus and direction its predecessor
lacked and, with one exception, Cyrus has eschewed the usual practice of walking
through familiar religious works, choosing instead to cut some fine new songs from
contemporary writers, with a state of the art Nashville production provided by
Billy Joe Walker Jr.
Some tracks have the chameleon-like possibility of being either secular or sacred but,
for the most part, the songs are outwardly Christian and Cyrus sings them with a
passion that was missing from his last set.
Hard to pick highlights because the quality of the songs and Billy Ray's performance
is generally high throughout, but I especially enjoyed the jangly guitar-led opener,
Face Of God, Kelly Shiver's gentle yet powerful statement of faith, I Need You Now,
and Cyrus's own story of what awaits us when we cross over to The Other Side.
The one exception to the new material is a ripping, blues workout of Amazing Grace.
Like me, you may dread hearing yet one more version of this truly great, but oh so
terribly over used hymn, but the cut has a terrific groove and reminds me a little of
the gospel side of Elvis Presley. Great rolling, pounding piano ensemble playing, it
rounds out the album with real style. Irresistible.
The Other Side comes with a 30 minute DVD of the likeable Billy Ray sporting a new
haircut, talking about his life and faith, interspersed with home movies and photos
and some basically shot film of Cyrus performing several of the songs off the album.
A worthwhile release in every sense.
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DOC SEASON 1 REVIEW FROM LETHALDEATH.COM
Saturday Feb 28, 2004
Sometimes I really feel like a hypocrite. In the past I’ve written rave reviews about shows like “Little House on the Prairie” and “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.” I would go on and on about how hard it is to find really good family shows. It would seem strange to most of my friends who were aware of my love of watching gory horror flicks and violent cop shows. But, being as well-rounded as I am, I also love good old fashioned family entertainment and constantly complain about the lack of it. Any chance I have to champion the cause of shows I can watch with my kids. Yet, when I first heard about the debut of the series “Doc” a few years back, my immediate reaction was to snub my nose and make all kinds of Billy Ray Cyrus ‘Achy Breaky’ jokes. I didn’t even give it a chance. What a jerk I was. Wait, let me look in the mirror. Yup… there it is…right on my forehead… HYPOCRITE. (Well, it’s backwards, being a mirror image and all. But I could still read it.)
A few days ago I heard about the release of the 1st season of “Doc” and thought to myself that perhaps I should give the show a chance.
After all, it is one of those family shows I’m always looking for, plus its now in its 4th season on Pax and has won numerous awards and accolades. The main character, Dr. Clint Cassidy (Billy Ray Cyrus) has even made a crossover appearance on one of Pax’s other popular shows, “Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye.” With all this going for it, the show has to be good right? Right? Will I eat all those jokes I made a few years ago? Let’s find out shall we?
“Doc” follows the adventures of the aforementioned Dr. Clint Cassidy. The good doctor moves from the slow quiet pace of Montana and sets up shop in New York City. (Ahh, the things we do for the love of a woman…) He soon learns that the differences between living in the country and surviving in the big city are extremely diverse and often difficult to deal with. Because of his values and upbringing, Cassidy sees each patient as a person and not just another billable case. And because of the care that he shows his patients through his warm and friendly bedside manner, he often makes a difference in their lives. Unfortunately this also tends to cause conflicts with the other doctors, who are often too hurried to even remember a patient’s name.
After watching the first season’s 11 episodes, I had to prepare myself to eat crow. However I might feel about Billy Ray Cyrus as a country singer doesn’t even come into play as far as his abilities as an actor. This wasn’t evident right from the Pilot episode, as it was obvious that he was a little green at first. But within just a few episodes I could tell he was becoming more comfortable with the role and his natural demeanor started to win me over.
All of the stories in this 1st season were well-written and Cyrus’s performance is extremely earnest. And since there was no cussing, sex or bare body parts, I could easily sit down to watch it with my entire family. And though the show centers on Cyrus, he is surrounded by a top-notch ensemble cast. Derek McGrath is especially good in his role as Dr. Derek Herbert, the HMO doctor who is one of the few who defends Doc’s decisions. Of course, every show needs a good ‘villain’, and Ron Lea fills the bill as Dr. Oliver Crane. It would seem to be his goal in life to be rid of the good doctor.
The 3-disc set has fairly straightforward packaging. There are no slipcases and no box; it is simply a trifold disc holder with cover art on the front and back, and a listing of the episode synopses on the inside. There are a few extras including some never-before-seen trailers and a documentary tracing Cyrus’s journey from the music stage to the TV screen. The best is saved for last however with the inclusion of a Blooper Reel. What’s so great about this reel is not just the funny flubs and mistakes, but the general feeling that everyone involved with the series is having a good time.
I take back everything I’ve ever said in the past about Cyrus. So should anyone who’s ever made fun of the guy. His music might not be your cup of tea, and it wasn’t mine, but you shouldn’t let that stop you from checking out “Doc.” If you have a family and want to spend some good quality TV time with them, then this show fits the bill. I’m already looking forward to season 2.
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DOC: GOOD MEDICINE FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY
(REVIEW BY ANGRYCOUNTRY.COM)
Saturday Feb 28, 2004
DOC: Good Medicine For The Entire Family
Not since Billy Ray Cyrus felt that "gut feeling" about his hit song Achy Breaky Heart has he felt so strongly about a project... his new top rated PAX Television series gave him that same feeling. What makes this television show one of the best? Simple! It is a series that speaks of family/ friends/ values/ religious belief/ and right and wrong, mixed in among a dose of medicine. Today's issues in our society are addressed and looked at in a mature and reasonable manner, making this television series one of the finest ever brought to family television viewing. The first season of PAX Television's award winning series 'Doc' arrives on retail shelves in a three-disc set, with over nine hours of programming, including never before seen trailers/ bloopers/ and behind the scenes footage of Billy Ray. Needless to say; this is good news to the millions of 'Doc' viewers and Cyrus fans, who have been waiting for the show to become available in a home entertainment format.
'Doc' captures the drama and comedy of big city medicine as seen through the eyes of Clint Cassidy (Billy Ray Cyrus), a handsome country doctor from Montana whose love for a woman takes him to the Big Apple. Clint's down-to-earth style and beside manner endears him to the patients at his Manhattan HMO, but he encounters resistance from his colleagues and the system. Never losing his values, common sense and "fish out of water" demeanor, Clint adjusts to an urban lifestyle, forming new relationships and stumbling upon new adventures along the way.
Like the show's dedicated fans, multi-platinum country artist Billy Ray Cyrus felt an immediate connection to the storyline along with the quirky yet likeable cast of characters. "I read the script and said, 'This just feels like a hit.' When I heard Achy Breaky Heart for the first time, I jumped off the couch in the beginning of it and said, 'That's me, that is me! When I read the script, the same feeling... this is me!, states Cyrus. "One of the other reasons I'm looking forward to 'Doc' coming out on DVD is that even members of my own family and friends have missed episodes here and there and would like to revisit the beginning of the show to where it all began. Folks always ask me when 'Doc' will be out on DVD and now I know and can tell them, February 3rd."
'Doc' has received the Parents Television Council Award for three consecutive years, and is hailed as "one of the best shows on television" in the organization's "Top Ten Best Prime Time Shows" list, TV Guide proclaims the series "terrific television," Entertainment Tonight calls it "a success," and The New Orleans Times-Picayune says, "Doc delivers."
Indeed, 'Doc' does deliver... in this eleven episode DVD package, you will find the best of what is Billy Ray Cyrus. Each episode is an outstanding view of life with family, friends, relationships, law enforcement, and the medical profession... and Billy Ray brings the best of it all to life.
What still amazes this writer is how often the talents of Billy Ray Cyrus are overlooked... in the beginning of his career, I can remember all the hoop-la over his hit song Achy Breaky Heart. Some critics even went as far as to condemn Billy Ray as "not having a voice." I never felt that this statement was true or that Billy Ray was just a "country heart-trob." In my opinion, Billy Ray has been and always will be one of those down-to-earth people that his fans already know is genuine to the core. Whether in his music or on television, Cyrus always brings his best face to the project. In a world that is so full of violence and that seems to turn its back on what is 'good family values', I am very pleased that, as always, Billy Ray Cyrus brings a quality television series.
Doc: Season One will definitely add magic to your DVD collection; it is a must have!
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REVIEW FROM WESTERN MAIL - (GERMAN PUBLICATION)
Sunday Dec 21, 2003
This is a review from Western Mail, A German magazine. Review by Iris Paech. (This was translated for us by Ursula Wukovits.)
Billy Ray Cyrus: The Other Side
Einer, der meiner Meinung nach absolut verkannt wurde und immer noch wird, ist Billy Ray Cyrus. Sein Hit "Achy Breaky Heart" ging um die Welt, damit war jedoch auch sein Image als Teenie-Idol besiegelt. Er wurde nicht ernst genommen; auch nicht, als er mit Nachfolge-CD's bewies, dass er sehr gute Musik macht, ein toller Musiker und Sänger ist aund auch noch gute Songs schreibt.
Somebody who, in my opinion, has been mis-judged for a long time and still is, Billy Ray Cyrus. His hit "Achy Breaky Heart" went around the world and his image as a teenie-idol was born. He was not taken seriously, even when he proved with his follow up albums that he makes wonderful music, that he is a great musician and singer as well as songwriter.
Gerade erschien ein neues Album von BRC. Es passt in die Weihnachtszeit, obwohl das Album kein Weihnachtsprojekt ist. Billy Ray erzählt vom Glauben, von der Liebe und vom Leben. Davon, dass Menschen gut zusammenleben können, von der Hoffnung und der Bedeutung zwischenmenschlicher Beziehungen.
A new album by BRC has just been released. It fits right into Christmas time, although the album is not a Christmas project. Billy Ray talks about faith, love and life. He talks about people getting along with each other well, about hope and the importance of relationships.
Billy Ray beginnt das Album mit "Face", einer Medium-Tempo-Nummer, welche die Liebe zum eigenen Kind beschreibt. Moderater im Tempo erklingt "Wouldn't You Do This For Me?". Hierin wird gefragt, wie selbstverständlich es eigentlich ist, jemandem zu helfen,vielleicht sogar das eigene Leben einzusetzen...
Billy Ray starts this album off with "Face" a mid-tempo number, describing the love towards ones own child. Slower in tempo is "Wouldn't you do this for me", talking about how natural it is to help someone, maybe even risk your own life.
"Always Sixteen" ist eine Liebesgeschichte zweier alter Menschen, deren Liebe jedoch jung geblieben ist, so als wären sie noch immer 16 Jahre alt. Sehr sanft erklingt Billy Ray's Stimme in der sehr ruhigen Ballade "I Need You Now", ein Song, in dem es um den eigenen Glauben geht
"Always 16" is the love song of two older people, whose love has remained as young, as if they were still 16 years old. Billy Ray's voice is very soft and smooth in the very quiet song "I need you now" a song about your own faith.
Billy Ray stellt auf diesem Album insgesamt 11 nachdenkliche Nummern vor, musikalisch ist jedoch auch Flottes und Kraftvolles mit dabei. Textlich auf hohem Niveau, der Glaube und das Vertrauen in sich selbst stehen im Vordergrund. Von daher passt das Album perfekt in die Weihnachtszeit. Zum Träumen, aber auch gut geeignet, um gute, moderne und manchmal auch kraftvolle Country Musik zu genießen.Dem Album ist eine Extra-CD beigefügt. Hier findet man eine DVD mit Videos zu einigen der aufgenommenen Songs. Für diejenigen mit DVD ein besonderes Extra!
With this album, Billy Ray introduces 11 songs, worth thinking about, although musically there are up tempo songs and powerful songs as well. Very high level of songwriting and the faith and trust in yourself are the main issues. Thus the album fits Christmas time. Songs to dream, but also to enjoy good, modern and sometimes powerful country music. The album comes with an extra CD where you can find a DVD with videos to some of the songs, something very special for those who can watch it.
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STRICTLY COUNTRY REVIEWS - THE OTHER SIDE
Saturday Nov 15, 2003
2003 - Word Entertainment. It’s been three years since his last album. This album is well worth the wait! When I heard that this album was an inspirational album, my first instinct was that it would be a sappy religious album. But, this is far from it! This album consists of a collection of well written catchy tunes with a few ballads. Each song carries a message within it’s musical melody. Each of the eleven cuts are perfect in their own creativity. The album begins with “Face Of God.” A catchy tune that captures today’s life and mixes it with yesterday’s faith. “Wouldn’t You Do This For Me?” is a great ballad. One to share with the entire family. It contains a vital lesson the very few learn, let alone a little boy.
For all of those lovers, young and old, you need to check out “Always Sixteen.” A song that witnesses true love. “I Know You Now,” is a song that tells a great a story, the story of Jesus. This song is sure to be a favorite of all! Cyrus breaks free on “Love Has No Walls.” A Skynyrd type Christian song about love. Other songs include “Did I Forget To Pray,” “Tip of My Heart” and “I Love You This Much.” It’s hard to pick a favorite on this incredible album. But, it would have to be “Holding On To A Dream.” This is truly a great inspirational song about keeping and pursuing a dream. Cyrus extends his writing abilities in the title track. A inspirational country song that talks about Billy’s journey through life thus far.
The only traditional gospel song included on this album is “Amazing Grace.” However, this is a slightly different version then what we are used to. Cyrus captures the song in a bluesy style that gives this old song new life. I have no bad words for this album. It sure captures the true talents of Billy Ray Cyrus. This album is proof that Billy Ray has stepped away from the ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ that he known for. It’s as if Mr. Cyrus has broken the music industry chains and has emerged a new spiritually renewed man. This album is guaranteed Gold!
# # #
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WWW.CHRISTIANBOOK.COM - THE OTHER SIDE
Saturday Nov 15, 2003
This effort by Billy Ray is breathtaking! He truly is a "gifted" musician, and as a long time fan of him and his music, I say he's right...this is THE album of his career. Every song is sung from his heart and to the heavens above. His love of God is apparent in every verse! Be sure to get your copy before they're all gone!
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FROM ABOUT.COM
Friday Nov 14, 2003
The Other Side - Billy Ray Cyrus
Reviewed by Matt Bjorke
While he'll probably be forever known as the "Achy Breaky Heart" singer, Billy Ray Cyrus has proven to be more than a mullet-wearing one hit wonder. Billy Ray's had six Top 10 hits in 10 years and has many more Billboard Top 40 hit singles to his credit. After leaving Mercury Records, Billy Ray recorded two well received albums for Sony (one was released via Madacy Records after a split from Sony). Free from a label, Billy Ray also has played the lead character on the PAX TV hit Doc.
It was on the set of Doc when Billy Ray first thought of doing a gospel record. He had no clue how he was gonna do it he just knew he had to. Shortly thereafter Billy Ray received a call from renowned Nashville producer Billy Joe Walker, Jr. The call was to ask Billy Ray if he wanted to do a gospel record. Realizing that the call was fate, Billy Ray quickly said yes. The first song they recorded together, a blues rock version of "Amazing Grace" secured Billy Ray a contract with Word Entertainment (the same label where Randy Travis has recorded for the last two albums). Months later, Billy Ray Cyrus is releasing his debut Gospel Record, The Other Side.
The album opening track, "Face of God," written by Bob DiPiero, Rivers Rutherford and Tom Shapiro (all 3 with multiple No. 1 hit singles to their credits), tells a loving story of how a man feels when he's surrounded by those that he loves the most. On the chorus, Billy Ray sings some of the words in a falsetto style that he has never done before. It sounds really good and is a song that could be a hit at either country or Christian radio stations.
"Wouldn't You Do This For Me?" is a wonderful story song that tells how the decisions we make should follow the lines of "Do unto others as you'd want done to you." The chorus has a "Chain of Love" style to it in that the song's verses tell stories of different people who are connected. The chorus says: "Wouldn't you do this for me, If I was reachin' out to you, Wouldn't you give me food to eat if I were hungry (-- second chorus--wouldn't you try to save my life If I need you to), wouldn't you do this for me." This song could be a big hit if released to country radio.
"Always Sixteen" is the first single from the album. Written by perennial hit maker Brett James (with Marty Dodson), the song tells an inspirational story of love. It says that the key to being "young" in life is to love like you're "always sixteen."
"I Need You Now" won't be a country radio hit but it sure does tell a great story. It is the story of Jesus written into a four minute song. It is an inspirational story of how one man says that he couldn't know Him back then but that he knows Him now and later sees Him and eventually needs His love. It is a nice song that tells a great story in a unique way. The song was written by Kelly Shiver (formerly of Thrasher Shiver).
"Tip Of My Heart" is a song that Billy Ray originally wanted to record for his 2000 Sony album only to have that label say they didn't "get it." Word Records included it on a sampler of songs they hoped Billy Ray would record. Deciding it was fate, Billy Ray chose to record this song of love. It has the chance to be a smash hit on multiple radio formats (It is the first single at Christian radio). It's about finding love and the faith to hold on tight to it: "I wanna live, I wanna love, I'm afraid my simple faith will never be enough, I want to laugh, I want to be set free, And let you hold all that my soul has deep inside of me, But I don't know where to start, It's on the tip of my heart." The song could be a love song for God or it could be a love song for a wife/husband to share.
"Holding On To A Dream" is a song written by Richard Marx, Lonestar's Richie McDonald and Victoria Shaw. It's an inspirational song that has a nice melody and lyrics that tell us all to hold on to our dreams for they're what guide us into doing what we need to be doing. I wonder why Lonestar hasn't recorded this song, but am happy Billy Ray got to include it on this album for it could be a big hit (much like many songs on this CD) if country radio would only give it a chance.
The Other Side is an album that opened up my eyes. I had long forgotten "Achy Breaky Heart" and accepted Billy Ray Cyrus for what he is, a great singer/songwriter with a bluesy voice that should be a superstar. The Other Side is a labor of love for Billy Ray and it shows in his passionate vocals and wonderful song selection. While The Other Side is a Christian/Gospel album, it really isn't much different from his other CDs in that the album doesn't get preachy. I had no expectations for the album when I first played it and was pleasantly surprised. This album is one of the best releases of 2003 in any genre.
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INTERVIEW FROM BARNES & NOBLE RE: THE OTHER SIDE
Friday Nov 14, 2003
THE GOSPEL SIDE OF BILLY RAY CYRUS
The Country Rocker Sings One from His Achy-Breaky Heart
Country hunk, international star, achy-breaky heartthrob -- those are some of the nice things that have been said about Billy Ray Cyrus. Critics haven't always been so kind, of course, focusing on his choice of hairdo and recording material with equal acrimony. With his first-ever gospel record, The Other Side, recorded, one can imagine the poison pens sharpened in gleeful anticipation. So it's a relief to find Cyrus neither spouts saccharine Christian pap nor dredges up dolorous hymns for his gospel debut. Instead, his rocking-country-with-a-message seems a good reflection of Cyrus the family man, TV actor, and singer. Barnes & Noble.com's Lisa Zhito spoke with Cyrus about his new sense of priorities and life on The Other Side.
Barnes & Noble.com: You actually got your start singing in your dad's gospel quartet when you were a small child, and your grandfather Pap-Paw was a Pentecostal preacher. So I guess we shouldn't be surprised that you have released a gospel record.
Billy Ray Cyrus: Right, that's the history of my family, and that's my very earliest roots in music. So there is the reason right there [that I recorded The Other Side]. That is the foundation.
B&N.com: This is your first studio release in three years. Why release a gospel record now?
BRC: Well, the real question I ask myself is, Why have you waited this long? I always prayed that God would give me the wisdom and the vision to do the things on this earth that I was supposed to do to express His life and love and His will. That's the spiritual foundation of why I did this project, but as to whether it was this record or this time,all I can say is that this was a record that I had to make, sooner rather than later. I probably should have made this record before I made any other record!
B&N.com: There's a story circulating that both you and your producer on this project, Billy Joe Walker Jr., came up with the idea at the same time, in different cities, and completely independently of each other.
BRC: To be honest with you, it is one of the more -- if not the most -- bizarre things that has ever happened in my career. I was in Toronto, where I film [PAX-TV series] Doc, thinking about what I'm going to do for my next album. And this voice in my head said, You need to make the record that you've wanted to make your whole life, and that is a gospel record, an inspirational record. And within minutes my phone rings, and it's this legendary producer out of Nashville and he says, "How'd you like to cut an inspirational album?"
B&N.com: And I understand you didn't even have a label signed on for this project?
BRC: Right. "Amazing Grace" was the first thing me and Billy cut, and we did it before we actually had the record deal. We went in to do a session, we were going to cut some country songs. Well, we had just had a conversation with Word Records, so I said, "Hey, since we're doing a session, let's cut 'Amazing Grace' instead." The next day we played it for Word and they said, "We'd like you all to do a whole album."
B&N.com: Speaking of which, that's not your typical church-hymn version of that song! How did you come up with the rock 'n' roll arrangement?
BRC: Yeah, that song was written in the 1700s, and we did a different arrangement on it, as you can tell. Me and Billy came up with the arrangement. I'm really proud of it; I've sung that song since I've been able to sing, since I was a little teeny boy. Whenever I do it with my band, I play it in the blues style. I always felt it lended itself to being a great blues song. I've always played it at my shows, and it's always been one of the songs most requested by the fans.
B&N.com: You also wrote the project's title track. How did it come about?
BRC: The people at the record company had asked me if I could write a song about my life, my relationship with God, and where I'm from. Well, I can't write a song on purpose, my songs come in a moment of inspiration or desperation. Plus, I thought we had so many songs already, there was no sense in forcing a song to come out of me. We were looking at all these great songs, and it made me feel inadequate as a songwriter to even compete. Well, it was my last week in Toronto filming Doc, and I got on my knees and prayed. I said, God, if you want me to write a song for this album, you have to give it to me. And the song just came flowing out of me. I wrote it down and turned on my four-track to get the melody down.
B&N.com: You were something of a rebellious teenager. How did your faith play into that?
BRC: Well, I've never left my faith -- but have I made a lot of mistakes? Yeah. But was I fortunate that I was brought up in that Pentecostal church, where I heard about God's love and God's forgiveness? Yeah! There were about a million times that my faith was tested. There were times where I felt like giving up on the whole dream, I felt like quitting. But you know, the Bible says where the people have no vision they will perish, and faith without works is dead. Luckily some of those quotes from the Bible were instilled so deep inside me that no matter how far I would stray, I'd still hear that voice that said, You have a purpose, you have a reason you were put on this earth, you've got to be the person God wants you to be.
B&N.com: Wow, you sounded like a preacher for a moment there!
BRC: Well, whatever you say, I do hope that you say this: By no means because I put out this record am I proclaiming that I'm like this religious perfect person. I'm still the same. I am and always will be a sinner. But that's the beautiful thing about Jesus. I'll always try to be a better person in the eyes of God. But I'm not all of a sudden stepping up on a pedestal and saying I'm holier than thou, 'cause I'm not!
October, 2003
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REVIEW FROM YAHOO NEWS
Thursday Nov 13, 2003
LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - Country acts continue to have an increased presence on the Top Christian Albums chart, as Billy Ray Cyrus (news) opens at a high No. 5 with "The Other Side" (Word-Curb/Warner Bros.). It's the second-highest debut for a country artist in the history of this survey, topped only by the No. 1 debut of LeAnn Rimes (news)' "You Light Up My Life -- Inspirational Songs" the week of Sept. 27, 1997.
Cyrus joins a chart already inhabited by Randy Travis (news), who slips 16-17 with "Rise and Shine" (Word-Curb/Warner Bros.). Country artists Cristy Lane and the Oak Ridge Boys have appeared on the Christian tally this year, and Dolly Parton (news) is poised to debut with "For God and Country," a collection of patriotic songs that includes some religious material.
Other country artists who have shown up on the Christian chart include Anne Murray (news), Vince Gill (news) and Charlie Daniels.
It works the other way, too. Christian act Bill & Gloria Gaither is about to release a pair of bluegrass albums that will be eligible to chart on Top Country Albums and Top Bluegrass Albums.
http://story.news.yahoo.com
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REVIEW OF "THE OTHER SIDE" FROM WWW.COUNTRYSTANDARDTIME.COM
Thursday Nov 13, 2003
Billy Ray Cyrus
The Other Side, 2003
Word/Curb/WBR
Billy Ray Cyrus could have easily made a token religious album - one needlessly stuffed with all too familiar inspirational numbers and overused hymns. Instead, this is a collection of mostly unknown Christian-themed songs that is often autobiographical and rarely preachy. Too many times country artists (especially country artists!) make spiritual albums where they sound like they're sleepwalking through the material, just like a snoring Sunday morning parishioner that didn't get quite enough sleep the night before.
But even this album's one standard, "Amazing Grace," is treated as a blues-y workout, where Jordanaires-like backing vocals provide a slightly new twist. Rather than getting all "Left Behind" and theologically heavy-handed on his audience, Cyrus sticks to subjects most anyone (sacred or secular) can relate to. "Face Of God" speaks of seeing the love of God in the faces of children, for example, and "Always Sixteen" talks about the way real love is truly ageless. Over the years, it's been easy to have fun with Cyrus by calling him Mr. Mullet or 'That Achy Breaky Heart Guy.' But with "The Other Side," he deserves credit for doing a spiritual album the right way, because this 'other' side is also one of his better sides.
- Dan MacIntosh http://www.countrystandardtime.com/cdreviewofweek.html
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KNIGHT RIDDER TRIBUNE REVIEW/ARTICLE - THE OTHER SIDE
Wednesday Nov 12, 2003
Mullet gone, Billy Ray Cyrus shows his gospel roots
By Rebecca Louie
KNIGHT RIDDER TRIBUNE
For years, Billy Ray Cyrus was the embodiment of mullet mania.
The country singer - whose album "The Other Side" came out Tuesday, and who stars in Pax TV's series "Doc" - was famous for his hairstyle.
However, Cyrus ditched the mullet-loving world and chopped his locks this year.
"Ah yes, the mull-ay, as they say in Fran-swah," he says, smothering his Kentucky twang with a heavy French accent as he runs a hand through his new coif.
"I had always hoped and prayed that my music and life and the things that I do on Earth could somehow overshadow what was on top my head," he says.
"But when I came to the realization that the mull-ay was too strong of a force to deal with, I said, 'We must cut the mull-ay.'
"If somewhere, somehow, growing it back could help with some of the world's problems, I would do it," says Cyrus, 42. "(But without it) I am still the same old guy. It has nothing to do with my insides or my heart."
And he's not talking about his "Achy Breaky Heart," the infectious single that jump-started his music career in 1992.
The song that helped his debut album, "Some Gave All," set a record for longest time spent at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for a new artist, clocking in at 17 weeks. It even spawned its own line dance.
Though the success of the album has overshadowed the eight records he has released since, Cyrus does not feel plagued by "Achy Breaky's" legacy.
"I will never have any regrets about that song," he says. "I lived inside of a Chevy Beretta when I recorded that song. ... Without that song, I don't know where my life would be."
Cyrus says "The Other Side" is the "gospel album I have needed to make for a lifetime."
The singer was born into religion: His grandfather was a Pentecostal preacher, and his father led a gospel choir that performed throughout Virginia, Ohio and Cyrus' own Kentucky.
He claims God instructed him to make this album last winter while he was shooting "Doc," the No. 1 series (now in its fourth season) on the family-oriented Pax network, about a country doctor who moves to New York.
He had a vision of God telling him to make a gospel album, he says. Moments later, he got a call from Nashville producer Billy Joe Walker entreating him to record one.
The experience helped Cyrus re-evaluate his life.
Cyrus is looking at the world tour he hopes to launch next year. Another is charity; he was just named the honorary spokesman for the Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots program.
Then there's his budding film career. He appeared in 2001's "Mulholland Drive" and just wrapped Kim Basinger's "Elvis Has Left the Building," in which he plays "a bit of a genius, a bit of a goofball" bus driver.
"A scene in a movie is like a song," says Cyrus. "With Kim in the lead, we've got a great singer. I just tried to know the words by heart and find the rhythm of my scenes just like a song finds a rhythm. It sounds like a hit ready to happen."
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REVIEW OF "THE OTHER SIDE" BY WWW.DOUBLEWIDECOUNTRY.COM
Wednesday Nov 12, 2003
Billy Ray Cyrus describes his latest work, the inspirational "The Other Side," as a true labor of love. Anchored by the lead single "Always Sixteen," the disc includes ten original tracks and one old standard ("Amazing Grace") drenched in a shimmering bluesy arrangement. Kim Carnes, the Jordanaires and Bekka Bramlett all make guest appearances, giving the record a primarily uptempo and electric feel. Our only real criticism would be that the record could have been far more impactful had it included more of the great gospel standards. Too many of the original tracks (including Richard Marx's all too sappy "Tip of My Heart") lack a real "punch." Still, "The Other Side" has an unmistakably fresh air to it, and even better, a remarkably positive message.
www.doublewidecountry.com
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BILLBOARD REVIEW OF "THE OTHER SIDE"
Wednesday Nov 12, 2003
Warner Bros' Christian division, Word, has had tremendous success with Randy Travis' two gospel albums. The eager audience that embraced Travis' efforts will be well-swerved by this superb new collection of country gospel songs by Cyrus. His strong, warm baritone breathes life into these faith-filled songs with honest emotion and heartfelt passion. Cyrus penned the title track, a glorious tribute to the riches of heaven. For the other cuts, he relies on some of Nashville's top writers, including Victoria Shaw and Austin Cunningham. "Always Sixteen" celebrates the power of enduring love; "I Need You Now" is a poignant portrait of Jesus Christ. "Face of God," "I love You This Much" and a soulful cover of "Amazing Grace" are among the other standouts on this appealing record that should interest fans of country and Christian music.
Word
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FROM MOVIE MAGIC
Tuesday Nov 11, 2003
MOVIE MAGIC: Billy Ray Cyrus plays the father of Kim Basinger in the recently shot drama "Elvis Has Left the Building' -- a neat trick when you realize that the 42-year-old country singer/actor is actually seven years younger than the Oscar winner he cites as one of his favorite actresses. Most of Billy Ray's scenes in the Ed Zwick-directed film were flashbacks. However, according to Cyrus, "The scene Kim and I got to do together is one of the highlights of my acting career. It was very emotional for both of us, but she had to be super-duper emotional. She has whatever 'it' is for sure.'
Besides making the movie, Cyrus managed to record what he deems "the album of a lifetime' -- a gospel CD called "The Other Side' -- during his hiatus from his Pax television series, "Doc.'
"To tell the truth, this is an album I should've made years ago, with my grandfather being a Pentecostal preacher and my dad heading up a gospel quartet. This is my roots,' says the Kentucky native and "Achy Breaky Heart' crooner. He adds, "My fans are going to love it. For the longest time I played 'Amazing Grace' on every tour, and it's always the most requested song,' he says.
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ANGRY COUNTRY REVIEW OF "THE OTHER SIDE"
Monday Oct 27, 2003
As promised, we at Angry Country want to continue to bring our readers articles, as well as album reviews, on the Christian side of country music and the artists who are bringing us the music. Here the "Achy Breaky Heartthrob" himself, also known as television's Doc these days, brings us his latest and first studio release in three years...
Having come to God myself at the age of fifteen... on a Christmas Eve night, in Bowie, Maryland (where I grew up), and as the choir sang Oh Holy Night - I was baptized. And okay, as hokey as it may sound, in the weeks prior to being baptized... I can tell you the absolute truth that it was God himself that I felt place his hand on my shoulder and say, "It is time for you to walk up that isle and accept me as your savior." So indeed, I understand why Billy Ray Cyrus waited for the right moment for God to move him to bring us this fantastic inspirational album. It is clear that Billy Ray has poured his deep faith into each track of this album and it shows.
"I call this the record of a lifetime for me, because this record has been a lifetime in the making," says Cyrus. "Every bit of my roots, my influences and every bit of who I am is on this record."
Those familiar with the Billy Ray Cyrus story know that the Kentucky native's musical roots lie firmly in the church. Billy Ray grew up surrounded by gospel music; the grandson of a Pentecostal preacher, the young Cyrus was singing with his father's gospel quartet before he had started grade school. Though Billy Ray went on to fame as the multi-platinum hunky heartthrob behind such country hits as Achy Breaky Heart, Could've Been Me, In The Heart Of A Women, and Busy Man, his own faith still runs deep.
"This whole album came together very naturally, it just fell into place," Billy Ray says. "Nothing was forced about it, nothing was planned, it just evolved into what it was meant to be. Making this album was probably most similar to Some Gave All, my first album, in that it became who I am and what I wanted to sing and where I am at in my life. It was very real - I hate to be so cliché' about it, but that's the truth."
In fact, The Other Side has its genesis in a coincidence. Billy Ray was in Toronto where he films his lead role on the hit PAX-TV series Doc and thinking about his next studio release. "My inner voice said, 'you need to make the record that you've wanted to make your whole life, and that's a gospel record, an inspirational record.' And within minutes my phone rings and it's this legendary producer out of Nashville, and he says, 'How'd you like to cut an inspirational album?' It is one of if not the most bizarre things that has ever happened in my career - and there are not a whole lot of normal things about my career!"
TRACK ONE - Face Of God
Although words brought to us in a rockin' format, there is a strong message in this song. That message is how we see God's face in everything around us, whether the peace on a child's face, as she sleeps, or in the wind that we cannot see.
TRACK TWO - Wouldn't You Do This For Me?
An absolutely beautiful track that speaks to the old saying, "Whatever you do for others, will come back to you ten-fold." Here a small schoolboy gives food to a hungry and homeless man; and in return, one day this homeless man saves the boy's dad, by pulling him out of a wrecked vehicle and calling for help.
TRACK THREE - Always Sixteen
A sweet song about how love always keeps you young. Maybe not exactly a theme you would expect on an inspirational album, but I have always grown up believing that God Is Love... because it is God's love that touches you in your darkest hours of need.
TRACK FOUR - I Know You Now
Just a wonderful moving ballad that tells of the story of Jesus. How we may not have been at His side, as He walked on this earth; but we all come to know Him.
TRACK FIVE - Love Has No Walls
Very southern rock on a track that addresses the story of a church that is destroyed by a storm... and yet, the people of the church could remain to sing and gather together. Realizing, of course, that God's love needs no church walls to be felt.
TRACK SIX - Tip Of My Heart
This my favorite track of Billy Ray's album The Other Side and one that really hit home for me. A song that questions how we all feel inside of us... that what we all really want to be is closer to God; but are we doing enough, as we live our lives each day to grow closer to God?
TRACK SEVEN - Did I Forget To Pray
Another wonderful track and a duet that Billy Rays recorded with Kim Carnes. Great message about how we get so wrapped up in the world around us that we often forget to pray... and to try to make the world around us a better place for all.
TRACK EIGHT - Holding On To A Dream
Here again, not a theme you might expect on an inspirational type of album. A nice song, however, about not giving up on your dreams even when life seems to keep throwing you a curve-ball.
TRACK NINE - I Love You This Much
Do not let the title fool you... this is a completely different song then that of the recently recorded single from Jimmy Wayne. In this beautiful ballad, the story of Jesus giving His life on the cross for us is told and that He did this because He loves each one of us.
TRACK TEN - The Other Side
The title track of the album... a song that Billy Ray wrote himself and said came to him through God. This a track of Billy Ray's own experiences with growing up and of his faith.
TRACK ELEVEN - Amazing Grace
A very bluesy touch brought to this old familiar favorite... it has also been a favorite of mine, as with most of you. Billy Ray reminded me of that, by putting his own unique touch on the song.
Christine Bohorfoush
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