Billy Ray Cyrus leads American Music Awards nominations as a Country Artist with 4 Nods

BILLY RAY CYRUS 

LEADS NOMINATIONS 

AS A COUNTRY ARTIST IN 2019 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – On the heels of "Old Town Road (Billy Ray Cyrus remix)" being certified diamond by the RIAA, Cyrus learned today he leads nominations as a country artist in the 2019 American Music Awards. Cyrus is nominated in the Collaboration of the Year category for the track with Lil Nas X, as well as Favorite Music Video, Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Song and Favorite Pop/Rock Song.

As ABC News Radio reported, "Billy Ray Cyrus leads all country nominees for this year's American Music Awards, with four nods. Ironically, none of them are in the country music categories." 

"I just read that story and this is my favorite quote of the year. Nothing sums up my career better than this," says Cyrus.

Not only is “Old Town Road (Billy Ray Cyrus remix)" the first song of 2019 to gain the diamond recognition, it is the first in the RIAA’s history to meet the minimum requirement of 10,000,000 units sold so quickly.

The AMA nods, which aren't in any country category, follow a record-breaking year for Cyrus after he was nominated in the Musical Event of the Year category with Lil Nas X for the 53rd CMA Awards. Recently, he took him two MTV VMA Moonmen for Song of the Year and Best Direction, as well as two trophies at the BET Hop Awards for Best Collab, Duo or Group and Single of the Year.

The 2019 American Music Awards air November 24 on ABC.
 
Here are the AMA country music nominees:
 
COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper “Shallow”
Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus “Old Town Road”
Marshmello & Bastille “Happier”
Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello “Señorita”
Post Malone & Swae Lee “Sunflower ( Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse )”
 
FAVORITE MUSIC VIDEO
Billie Eilish “bad guy”
Ariana Grande “7 rings”
Halsey “Without Me”
Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus “Old Town Road”
Taylor Swift “You Need to Calm Down”
 
FAVORITE SONG – POP/ROCK
Halsey “Without Me”
Jonas Brothers “Sucker”
Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus “Old Town Road”
Panic! At The Disco “High Hopes”
Post Malone & Swae Lee “Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse )”
 
FAVORITE SONG – RAP/HIP-HOP
Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus “Old Town Road”
Post Malone “Wow.”
Travis Scott “SICKO MODE”

About Billy Ray Cyrus:

Billy Ray Cyrus became a household name over the course of his unprecedented career which spans across music, television and theater. Throughout his nearly three-decade career, Cyrus has achieved worldwide success as a singer, songwriter, actor and producer. The Flatwoods, KY native exploded onto the music scene when his first album, Some Gave All, debuted on the all-genre Billboard album chart at No. 1 and stayed there for a record-breaking 17 weeks in 1992.

The lead single, "Achy Breaky Heart," became a phenomenon as the single went multi-platinum. After "Achy Breaky Heart," Cyrus followed up with back to back hits “It Could’ve Been Me,” “She’s Not Crying Anymore,” “Wher'm I Gonna Live When I Get Home?” and the anthemic “Some Gave All.” Cyrus knocked himself out of the top Billboard position with the his second No. 1 album, It Won’t Be The Last, featuring smash hits “In the Heart of a Woman,” “Words By Heart” and “Somebody New.”

Cyrus followed up with dozens more that defined country music. “To me, my most defining moment in country was being joined by George Jones and Loretta Lynn on my self-penned ‘Country Music Has the Blues,’” said Cyrus. He also enjoyed a successful career as an actor in “Doc” and “Still The King,” as well as the Disney series “Hannah Montana” with his daughter Miley. 

Recently, Cyrus has shattered records with Lil Nas X with the global smash, "Old Town Road," which remained No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 19 consecutive weeks.

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Billy Ray Cyrus snags two MTV VMA Moonmen & nominated for Country Music Association Awards Musical Event of the Year

Billy Ray Cyrus Comes Home with Two MTV VMA Moonmen, Wakes Up to Learn He's Nominated for Country Music Association Awards Musical Event of the Year

BILLY RAY CYRUS

COMES HOME WITH TWO MTV VMA MOONMEN,

WAKES UP TO LEARN HE'S

NOMINATED FOR

COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION AWARDS

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR

AFTER BILLBOARD THREW

"OLD TOWN ROAD"

OFF COUNTRY CHARTS

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Billy Ray Cyrus is on a roll and is making room on the trophy shelf. After taking home two MTV VMA Moonmen for Song of the Year and Best Direction for Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road (Remix, featuring Cyrus)," the global icon and singer/songwriter learned today he's nominated in the Musical Event of the Year category with Lil Nas X during the 53rd CMA Awards, being held on November 13 on ABC. 

"It's crazy. It's like the twilight zone of my life. I flew home from New York, put my Moonmen on the shelf and laid down for a solid 8 hours. I wake up and learn I'm nominated in the Country Music Association's Musical Event of the Year on a song eliminated by Billboard critics for not 'embracing enough elements of today’s country music,' " said Cyrus. 

Cyrus and Lil Nas X went on to shatter Billboard Hot 100 all-genre records as the longest-running No. 1 for 19 consecutive weeks.  

 Ron Perry, Billy Ray Cyrus, Young Kio, Lil Nas X Photo Courtesy: Ron Perry

This fall, Cyrus is focused on his new single, "Chevys and Fords," with fellow BBR Music Group/BMG recording artist Johnny McGuire. 

"For better or worse, I'm Billy Ray Cyrus from Flatwoods, Kentucky. I love country music and I love a great country song. When I heard Chevys and Fords... it struck me as both. I feel like I'm starting my first band and man I'm excited. The single ships September 3rd!" said Cyrus. 

On September 8, Cyrus will co-host the Canadian Country Music Association Awards (CCMA) with Dallas Smith, which airs live on Global from Calgary’s Scotiabank Saddledome at 9 p.m. EST/PST, where he'll also perform the worldwide premiere of "Chevys and Fords." Cyrus is the first ever American to be bestowed the honor to host the Canadian Country Music Association Awards. 

 
About Billy Ray Cyrus:
Billy Ray Cyrus became a household name over the course of his unprecedented career which spans across music, television and theater. Throughout his nearly three-decade career, Cyrus has achieved worldwide success as a singer, songwriter, actor and producer. The Flatwoods, KY native exploded onto the music scene when his first album, Some Gave All, debuted on the all-genre Billboard album chart at No. 1 and stayed there for a record-breaking 17 weeks in 1992.

The lead single, "Achy Breaky Heart," became a phenomenon as the single went multi-platinum. After "Achy Breaky Heart," Cyrus followed up with back to back hits “It Could’ve Been Me,” “She’s Not Crying Anymore,” “Wher'm I Gonna Live When I Get Home?” and the anthemic “Some Gave All.” Cyrus knocked himself out of the top Billboard position with the his second No. 1 album, It Won’t Be The Last, featuring smash hits “In the Heart of a Woman,” “Words By Heart” and “Somebody New.”

Cyrus followed up with dozens more that defined country music. “To me, my most defining moment in country was being joined by George Jones and Loretta Lynn on my self-penned ‘Country Music Has the Blues,’” said Cyrus. He also enjoyed a successful career as an actor in “Doc” and “Still The King,” as well as the Disney series “Hannah Montana” with his daughter Miley. 

Recently, Cyrus has shattered records with Lil Nas X with the global smash, "Old Town Road," which has remained No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 19 consecutive weeks. Returning to his Kentucky roots, BBR Music Group/BMG released Cyrus's new single on July 19 with emerging artist Johnny McGuire titled, "Chevys and Fords," which Rolling Stone Country proclaimed is "a gently rocking country tune brimming with Springsteen-inspired, vehicle-based nostalgia...finds the two vocalists singing about how they come from a long line of Chevys and Fords.'"

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Billy Ray Cyrus releases new video “Thin Line;” co-premiering on Vevo and CMT

Billy Ray Cyrus Releases New Video “Thin Line;” 

Co-Premiering NOW on Vevo and CMT

(Nashville, Tenn. – September 22, 2016) 

Billy Ray Cyrus has released a music video for his current single, “Thin Line,” through an exclusive worldwide co-premiere with Vevo and CMT.

“Thin Line” is now available on Vevo.com, on CMT every hour during morning music blocks (5-10 a.m.), and every other hour on CMT Music.  Starting Sept. 23, the video will be released to a panel of national, syndicated, closed circuit, Internet and regional outlets.

“Thin Line” was shot entirely on Cyrus’ expansive property in Middle Tenn. by director Blake Judd (Black Stone Cherry, Shooter Jennings, Thomas Rhett) and exposes faith, passion, and the power of music through Cyrus’ perspective. 

The music video offers viewers a peek into Cyrus’ southern home as he wanders through the spaces that flood with memories and the prized possessions in which inspire him—including a handwritten note from Johnny Cash in 1992.

 “Thirty-six years ago I was working with Elvis and saw him take the same kind of flak you’re taking now. Congratulations on the way you’re handling it all. In your case, as in Elvis’, the good outweighs the bad. Let ’em have it. I’m in your corner.” –  Johnny Cash

Cyrus shares the creative process that crafted the title track to his 14th studio album, released earlier this month through Blue Cadillac Music, in behind-the-scenes footage here. 

Thin Line is now available at major digital retailers, including:
US iTunes, Amazon UK and Amazon.com.

In addition, Cyrus recently wrapped season one of CMT’s scripted comedy, “Still The King,” in which he starred.  Season two begins production in Nashville this fall and is slated to premiere in the spring.

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Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Hey Elvis” music video premiere

Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Hey Elvis” 

music video exclusive Premiere

on “CMT Hot 20 Countdown” on June 4 and 5

Track available for download via Amazon.com and US iTunes on June 3

(Nashville, Tenn. – June 2, 2016) –  The official music video for Billy Ray Cyrus'"Hey Elvis" exclusively world premiered on “CMT Hot 20 Countdown” this Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5. 

Following its debut, the video will be available on CMT Music, CMT.com and CMT Mobile.
“Hey Elvis” features Cyrus in what he describes as an, “’Elvis’ Where Art Thou” theme.

Cyrus fell in love with the track, written by Bryan Adams and Gretchen Peters, nearly twenty years ago. This gritty rock rendition combines the unique forces of Cyrus, Adams, and the legendary “The Voice Of Rock,” Glenn Hughes.

Hughes, who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Deep Purple on April 8th, provided a fresh influence on the song’s latest version. 

Lyric Video

The bookend track appeared on Cyrus’ SOUTHERN RAIN album (Amazon UK | iTunes) released 12 Oct 2000

In a recent statement about collaborating with Hughes, Cyrus stated, “He not only solidifies a magic pocket in the groove with his bass, but also injects the voice of rock onto the backend of the song.” 

Cyrus is quick to highlight the importance behind his admiration for Elvis’ musical footprint. In 1992, the iconic Johnny Cash sent a letter to Cyrus recognizing the career parallel between Elvis and Cyrus in which he wrote: “Thirty-six years ago I was working with Elvis and saw him take the same kind of flak you’re taking now. Congratulations on the way you’re handling it all. In your case, as in Elvis’, the good outweighs the bad. Let ’em have it. I’m in your corner.” 

To this day, still inspired by Cash’s words, Cyrus prepares to release new material this fall in which “Hey Elvis” will be included.

The tribute to Elvis continues with the launch of “Still The King,” CMT’s new scripted comedy starring Cyrus, debuting Sunday, June 12 at 9pm, ET/PT. Cyrus stars as “Burnin’” Vernon Brown, a one-hit-wonder country artist who emerges decades later as an Elvis impersonator. After a drunken accident into a church sign, Brown is sentenced to perform community service for the church as part of his parole. He pretends to be the congregation's new minister in attempt to reconnect with a former one-night-stand (Joey Lauren Adams), when he learns he has a 15-year-old daughter (Madison Iseman) he's never met.

“Hey Elvis” was made available for download via digital outlets Amazon.com and US iTunes on Friday, June 3rd.

For more information on “Still The King” visit CMT and follow “Still the King” on Facebook.

Billy Ray Cyrus as Vernon Brown, Aka “Burnin’ Vernon,” described by CMT 

as a scandal-ridden washed up one-hit wonder who is kicked out of country music, 

only to emerge 20 years later as the second best Elvis impersonator.

ABOUT BILLY RAY CYRUS 

• The multi GRAMMY-nominated BILLY RAY CYRUS is an American country and rock musician and songwriter who has sold more than 25 million albums internationally
• He has also had three No. 1 hit singles.
• Over the course of 12 studio albums since 1992, Cyrus has earned nearly 30 chart singles, including 15 Top 40 hits. 
• Cyrus has also received major music awards including American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards and Country Music Association Awards.
• His most successful album to date is the debut of SOME GAVE ALL (released May 19, 1992 and included his breakthrough smash hit song "Achy Breaky Heart"), which has been certified 9× multi-platinum in the United States and marked the longest time spent by a debut artist at number one on the Billboard 200 (17 consecutive weeks) and most consecutive chart-topping weeks in the SoundScan era.
• Over the last decade, Cyrus has established himself as a successful musician, actor in TV and film, performing in lead roles such as the title character of the PAX-TV series “Doc” and as Robby Ray Stewart, the father of daughter Miley Cyrus’ fictional character in the smash Disney Channel series “Hannah Montana.”
• A developer of the hit TV series “Surprise Homecoming” on TLC, Cyrus had multiple TV projects in development.
• In 2013 alone, he released his thirteenth studio album CHANGE MY MIND (Blue Cadillac Music; #38 peak Billboard Top Country albums), a best-sellingmemoir Hillbilly Heart and performed on Broadway in Chicago in the beloved role of Billy Flynn. 
• NPR noted of his memoir Hillbilly Heart “There’s something very refreshing about Billy Ray Cyrus’ new memoir Hillbilly Heart.  It’s not just that he’s candid about being, at many points throughout his life, a headstrong jerk, or, as he puts it, a ‘heathen,’ an imperfect man.”– John Rabe.
• With the release of “Hope Is Just Ahead” a duet with the legendary singer Dionne Warwick and a new album project in the works Billy showed no signs of slowing down back in 2014.

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