On NPR this morning, reporters evoked the chills-down-your-spine Grammy duet performance by Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs. America needed it like the Midwest has needed the rain. Then, switching topics: how about any awkward moments? There was, of course, Jay-Z’s callout of an institution that repeatedly fails to honor Beyoncé with Album of the Year.
No one mentioned what Miley didn’t say.
I remember when Billy Ray Cyrus married Tish. We’d recently moved from Northern Virginia to the Bible Belt for my father’s job; every morning, I’d call into Country Music Television and request “Achy Breaky Heart.” I was six years old and hopelessly devoted despite the mullet, although I did also have a crush on a boy named Josh, who had a marker-like stain on his left cheek and a mama who sent him to school in dirty clothes. At recess, we’d gather by the swing set and belt out our second-grade original cover of “Romeo.”
He imitated Billy Ray quite well.
The day of Cyrus’s wedding, I lay sprawled out sobbing in front of our static-y television in Dallas, Georgia and spelled out “WAIT FOR ME, BILLY RAY” on my Scrabble board. You may laugh, but I wasn’t alone in my grief. The country star had stolen hearts all across the country, including from Kristen Luckey, who gave birth to Miley’s half-brother Christopher Cody just seven months before the starlette debuted.
What’s Billy Ray up to, now? I still have a soft spot for the oft-mocked country star who grew up in poverty in Flatwoods, Kentucky. The way Miley puts it, his experience of fame manifested differently than hers: his fans’ screaming adoration provided a balm to childhood wounds, whereas she felt loved from the start. But neither Cyrus left Hollywood unscathed. In 2011, in the midst of his first separation with Tish, Billy Ray spoke to GQ magazine about the detrimental impact Disney’s Hannah Montana had on his family. (“I was going to work every single day knowing that my family had fallen apart, but yet I had to sit in front of that camera. I look back and go, How did I ever make it through that? I must be a better actor than I thought.”)
Though Tish and Billy Ray would eventually reconcile, they separated twice more and officialized their divorce in April 2022. Rumors began to circulate about a deep rift between Miley and her father; she’d taken her mother’s side in the split. That November, People magazine would confirm Billy Ray’s engagement to Firerose, an Australian woman 28 years his junior who he met on the set of young Miley’s show. The List did the math: When they first crossed paths, he would have been 49, Firerose 21.
Billy Ray and Miley resemble one another so much. They’re both supremely gifted vocalists who bend genre and draw outside Nashville lines. They somehow display both the authenticity and star power of a bygone era. They each wear pain on their sleeve.
Last night, on Billy Ray’s Instagram, his story featured a dark, slow-metered cover of “You Are My Sunshine” followed by a cryptic sound-altered clip of “Old Town Road,” the duet with Lil Nas X that won them a Grammy for Best Music Video in 2020. He made no overt mention of his daughter, who looked absolutely radiant on stage. She belted out a live performance of “Flowers” and accepted her trophy from Mariah Carey. In her acceptance speech, she thanked “everyone standing on the stage, her team, her mommy, her sister, her love…”
“Anyone else?” she asked rhetorically.
Do any of you care about this?
I’d borrow a quarter and place a call, but the pay phones have all disappeared.
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I like country music and I loved this fine little memory you shared with us. It took me back to my own childhood fantasies with singers. I won't tell you which ones I drooled over, because that would give away my age. But -- there is a story everywhere, Alicia, and you dredged up a good one. Thank you. Two thumbs up.
Miley’s down-to-earth nature is most admirable. - As, your epic crush on Billy Ray is adorable, I wish you the chance to meet one day no matter circumstances. How next-gen spouse happens, I don’t quite get - though I’ve seen it! Oddly, I did just get eggplant pics from a very next-gen ex-neighbor (?🤯?), declined years ago. Maybe he was watching Billy Ray on TV, then decided on a Marino Marini hail mary. - Plant and roots are essential dealmaker factors!!! I do try to aim for a prince born before my first period (post June 85’ I have concern as to why?, and vice versa). Is that weird? I have no idea. Anyway, happy eggplant season, Alicia, may you reach out and cuff someone with substance and heart.
For your love of country music, your line “I’d borrow a quarter and place a call, but the pay phones have all disappeared.” brings to mind Cowboy Mouth lyrics: “It’s 4am. I’m drunk and alone, trying to call you on a public phone.” Light It On Fire should be the theme song of the French Quarter. Drama city! I would see them play once or twice a month in Tipitina’s with a the same pack of pals. Love it when they visit San Francisco, along with Galactic and Rebirth Brass. 💜💚💛 I need live music plans! But, I have 2025 Mardi Gras plans to make. My mom and my aunt went out for casino and cocktails, one more than necessary. Waking in the hotel, my aunt said, “Did I sign us up for a Mardi Gras Krew?” My mom said, “uh, yes ... ya did!” So, I have V.I.P. family members to see on their parade day. Laissez les bons temps rouler! May Eros be with me! ✨💖✨ cheers, dawl! 🎊