Billy Ray Cyrus Album - Wanna Be Your Joe

Everyone knows the name of the colossal single from Billy Ray Cyrus’ record-breaking 1992 album "Some Gave All" – the infamous "Achy Breaky Heart" (which also inspired a line dance craze). And since then, Billy Ray has enjoyed great success as not only as a country music star but as a successful songwriter and actor.

In Billy's two decades long career he has achieved: • 3 #1 singles and 6 Top 10 singles in addition to the platinum and gold albums • 2 AMA awards, 1 CMA award • 6 TNN/Music City News awards • 2 MovieGuide Awards (for "Doc") • He STILL holds the record for 17 weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for "Some Gave All" (the longest time this was held by a debut artist). • Has been recognized by the Kennedy Center Honors • Received the Bob Hope Congressional Medal of Honor Society Entertainer’s Award • Country Radio Broadcaster’s Artist Humanitarian Award • Been inducted into the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Hall of Fame

As an artist, Billy Ray Cyrus continues to create music that is close to his heart… music that rocks, can touch one’s emotions, songs that are reverent and some even satirical, and all styles are evident on his CD debut release on New Door Records, "Wanna Be Your Joe."

Review - Amazon.com :

No matter how you feel about the pride of Flatwoods, Kentucky, you've got to give him credit for sheer grit. An embarrassment to Nashville after his Chippendalesish (and hugely popular) line-dancing anthem "Achy Breaky Heart" (1992), the mullet-wearing Billy Ray Cyrus went on to make credible music (1993's mostly ignored It Won't Be the Last) before segueing into acting (Doc, Hannah Montana). Yet on Wanna Be Your Joe, an album he largely wrote or co-wrote, Cyrus doesn't do himself many favors. The quality of writing never reaches the upper tiers, and several of the songs come across as rough demos instead of fully produced cuts. His slim baritone, once gravelly and testosterone-pumped, is dry as a stump, and the hunger and passion that drove his earlier recordings also seems to slumber, whether he's paying tribute to his heroes (Dale Earnhardt, Ronnie Van Zant) or pondering lost loves. Cyrus shows his sense of humor in referencing his former hairstyle ("I Want My Mullet Back," a rootsy rock excursion), and hits all the working-class touchstones (the loving husband/father of the promising title cut, the blue-collar protest of exorbitant fuel costs of "A Pain in the Gas"). But the album never really catches fire until he brings on the guests: George Jones and Loretta Lynn for the down-home "Country Music Has the Blues" and daughter Miley for "Stand." Just as in the plots of his TV series, on Wanna Be Your Joe, friends and family save the day. --Alanna Nash

Customer review - 2006-07-20

- FIRE ALANNA NASH!

After reading Alanna Nash's and then receiving my cd today and listening to it, she should be fired! She is so way off-base on her review! This is one of the most pleasant cd's in current music and one of Billy Ray's best, if not his best! His voice wraps around each and every note of every song.....there is something for everyone....upbeat, ballads, etc.....and his rich tone is perfect through it all! He deserves to be #1 again! I didn't write this review to give details on each track....I did it mainly to refute Ms. Nash's crappy review.....THIS CD DESERVES AN A+!!!!!!

Customer review - 2006-07-27

- Cool and Country

I know that many people do not think country music, with a capital C, is cool, but no one has told Billy Ray Cyrus. This cd is 90% country with a 10% dash of rock/pop. Billy has something to say about Country Music and Country in general, and I am glad does. I have always thought it was interesting that the Mullet has been so mocked, over the years, but you can wear a ballcap askance or a clock around your neck and it is cool! :)
The band cooks and the lyrics are worth paying attention too.
What more do we need? Maybe the return of the mullet!

Customer review - 2006-09-09

- Excellent CD! Great Music From Billy Ray Cyrus

I was recently introduced to the music of Billy Ray Cyrus when a friend suggested I would like his CD "The Other Side". Like most of us who have hit middle age I remember when "Achy Breaky Heart" was a huge hit but I hadn't heard much Billy Ray music since then. I enjoyed "The Other Side" very much and because of that I decided to buy "Wanna Be Your Joe" and am very glad I did.

After listening to "Wanna Be Your Joe" a few times I have permanently joined the ranks of Billy Ray Cyrus fans. The CD has a great mix of songs and defiantly has something for everyone. If you like traditional Country you will find it in "Country Music Has The Blues". If you like Rock you will find it in "I Want My Mullet Back" which is a song that looks back on simpler times.

My other favorite songs on the CD are "Wanna Be Your Joe", "Hey Daddy", and the moving "Stand" where Billy Ray urges us all to stand up for what we believe in.

Simply put, you don't have to be a fan of Country music to enjoy this CD. If you are looking for good, well done, sincere music pick up a copy of "Wanna Be Your Joe". It's a wonderful effort from Billy Ray Cyrus.

Customer review - 2006-08-15

- Should be number 1!!

If you love country than you will love this album. The songs are very refreshing with a taste of pop/rock while retaining original country sound at the same time. Any true country fan would agree that this album is a winner.

Customer review - 2006-07-20

- Thank goodness I did not listen to the editorial review!!!

I read the review and since I've always loved everything Billy Ray has ever done EXCEPT Acky Breaky, I didn't take it seriously. I love this album! I hate it when all of an album is either upbeat or ballads and this one has it all. I don't know why people try to put him down all the time. He is a great songwriter, good actor and getting better all the time, and a great singer. We wont even get into the fact that he's gorgeous and getting better with age. Favorite song so far is the title cut, Wanna Be Your Joe but I also like the rockin Mullet song. Give him and this album a true chance and you're gonna love it too.

List of Billy Ray Cyrus albums

Billy Ray Cyrus Album - Wanna Be Your Joe