Billy Ray Cyrus Joins Son Braison For a Memorable Grand Ole Opry Performance
Billy Ray Cyrus is beaming with pride as he supports his son, Braison, who is following in his musical footsteps. On July 6, Braison made his performance debut at the iconic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. The 30-year-old musician was joined by his 62-year-old country star father, marking a significant moment for both of them.
Speaking to PEOPLE about the experience, Billy Ray said, “Talk about a full-circle moment. Literally standing in the sacred circle with my son Braison Chance Cyrus by my side.”
“I have never been more proud,” he added.
Braison, whose debut album Javelina was released in 2021, was equally moved by the experience. “It was an honor performing with my dad at such a legendary venue,” he said.
“I love hanging out with my dad, riding dirt bikes, and going on walks, but every now and again, it’s great to hop on stage with him and do what we are both most passionate about and best at, which is playing music. Playing on the Opry stage is surreal, especially getting to do it with my dad,” Braison added.
The father-son duo performed with band members who have been with Billy Ray for three decades, including drummer Eddie Bayers, who played on Billy Ray’s 1994 single Storm in the Heartland.
Billy Ray reflected on the significance of their song choice. “Eddie tragically lost his son in a motorcycle accident while we were making all that music. The fact we opened with ‘Storm In The Heartland,’ and there I stood with my son, it too was a full-circle moment,” he said.
“I felt [like] Eddie’s boy was in the band. He was in the circle too — along with my dear friend and the man who may have changed my life more than anyone besides my own father, Joe Scaife, legendary producer and the man who first played me a cassette tape of a demo called ‘Don’t Tell My Heart.’ He went to rock ‘n’ roll heaven last month. Joe produced ‘Storm In The Heartland.’ They were all there. All the legends!!!” Billy Ray added.
The July 6 show also marked a personal milestone for Billy Ray, as it was his first time using Porter Wagoner’s dressing room at the Grand Ole Opry.
“Porter was the first to really become my true friend from the Opry. Porter gave me the idea to wear those pants I had on. I made him a sparkly fishing vest, and we traded on television. He said, ‘Son, look at Dolly [Parton], she never leaves the house without looking like a star.’ Haha! True story,” he recalled.
Braison, meanwhile, is focusing on his upcoming music, as he revealed recently. Earlier this month, he took to Instagram to share his journey. “About a month ago, after going through some serious changes and growth in my life, I started writing songs for myself again,” he shared, adding, “This new album is for me and is the closest thing I’ve ever done to what I originally set out to do when I decided to make music my life and my career back in 2017.”
