Amazon Publishing’s New York office announced today that it has plans to publish “Hillbilly Heart,” a memoir by Billy Ray Cyrus, in hardcover and ebook in Spring 2013. For the first time ever, Cyrus opens up about his rebellious early years, the life-changing success of his first album, and the toll that fame has taken on his personal life and family. With great candor, Cyrus talks about the challenges of parenting his superstar daughter Miley Cyrus, and the role faith has played in his life. Dan Strone, CEO of Trident Media Group, represented the world English deal in association with John Ferriter, Lo Bosworth, and Stuart Dill of Octagon Entertainment.
Cyrus says: “I learned early from The Book of Psalms that: ‘The Truth will be your shield and your buckle’. I’ve always loved that. You only get one chance to tell your life story. This is my chance to set the record straight. I realized that over the years that there have been untruths and misconceptions about me, my music, my life, my family and our dreams. I’m going to lay out the facts starting from August 25th, 1961 and work my way to the present, even if it stings a little.”
In “Hillbilly Heart,” Billy Ray Cyrus describes how at the age of 5 he had begun taking the stage with his father’s gospel quartet, The Crownsmen. By age 20, despite a promising baseball career, an inner voice told him if he bought a guitar and started a band, his purpose in life would be found through the music. He listened. After a decade of rejection and being told he was "too country" for LA, and "too rock" for Nashville, Cyrus exploded onto the music scene with his first album, Some Gave All, which debuted—along with his breakout single “Achy Breaky Heart”—at #1 on the music charts and inspired a worldwide line dancing phenomenon. Some Gave All topped the charts for 17 consecutive weeks at the #1 spot on The Billboard Top 200 List.
“Against all odds, Billy Ray Cyrus went from being a small town bad boy to an American Icon. ‘Hillbilly Heart’ is a story of faith, family, and the power of music,” said Julia Cheiffetz, Editorial Director, Amazon Publishing, New York.
Cyrus also describes how his breakout role in David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive led him to his first series, the critically acclaimed “DOC”. From there, he and his daughter Miley joined the Disney Channel, where Hannah Montana began an entirely new chapter of his life. He underwent the pressure of acting as the Best Father in America on the show, when the reality was much more complicated.
Average Joes Entertainment’s Colt Ford will kick off the first leg of his 2012 “Declaration of Independence” Tour beginning, April 6 in Albany, GA. Label mates The Lacs, JB and the Moonshine Band, Rehab and Lenny Cooper will open for Ford on the 20-city tour wrapping in Belvin, AR on June 9.
General admission tickets will go on sale February 15 and can be purchased through etix.com, as well as www.coltford.com. Additional tour dates will be announced at a later time.
To insure all ages can enjoy the show, family friendly zones have been created at the venues. “I have the most die-hard, rockin’ country music fans and they come in ALL ages,” explains Ford. “When I look out in the crowds I see people anywhere from six to sixty years old. I really wanted to set up an all ages tour and create ‘family friendly’ zones to play for everyone that enjoys my music. This ‘Declaration of Independence’ tour will offer just that… fun for the whole family and then some!”
Ford is currently in the studio preparing his fourth studio album, Declaration of Independence, to be released from Average Joes Entertainment, May 2011. This highly-anticipated release is part of the Average Joes “Ultimate Trilogy” package and will be the last piece of the puzzle to conclude the collective story threading throughout the releases of JB and the Moonshine Band's sophomore album, Beer For Breakfast, and The Lacs 190 Proof album.
General admission ticket packages start at $25. Fans who purchase pre-sale tickets will be sent an exclusive 4-song EP with never-before-released cuts from Colt Ford, The Lacs, JB and the Moonshine Band and Lenny Cooper. For more ticket information and tour packages, visit www.coltford.com
2012 “Declaration of Independence” Tour Dates:
4/6/2012 Albany, GA Sasser Flea Market*
4/7/2012 Florence, AL Alabama Music Hall of Fame*
4/13/2012 Forest, MS Scott County Coliseum
4/14/2012 Monroe, LA Ike Hamilton Expo Center
4/15/2012 New Braunfels, TX Whitewater Amphitheare
4/20/2012 Hiawassee, GA Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
Gloriana got romantic with their current single & music video for (Kissed You) Goodnight. The video features two well-known faces including Megan Park (The Secret Life of the American Teenager) and actor/recording artist Tyler Hilton (One Tree Hill).
The band is also hosting a Valentine's Day contest to go along with their song/video. They invite fans to submit their own videos (find out details HERE).
CMT CROSSROADS is heading to Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis with a very special episode featuring rock legend Steven Tyler and country music superstar Carrie Underwood. CMT CROSSROADS: STEVEN TYLER & CARRIE UNDERWOOD FROM THE PEPSI SUPER BOWL FAN JAM premieres Saturday, February 4 at 11:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m., ET/PT on CMT as part of the NFL PEPSI SUPER BOWL FAN JAM festivities.
See the Preview of the show plus interview clips with Carrie & Steven down below:
Amazon Publishing’s New York office announced today that it has plans to publish “Hillbilly Heart,” a memoir by Billy Ray Cyrus, in hardcover and ebook in Spring 2013. For the first time ever, Cyrus opens up about his rebellious early years, the life-changing success of his first album, and the toll that fame has taken on his personal life and family. With great candor, Cyrus talks about the challenges of parenting his superstar daughter Miley Cyrus, and the role faith has played in his life. Dan Strone, CEO of Trident Media Group, represented the world English deal in association with John Ferriter, Lo Bosworth, and Stuart Dill of Octagon Entertainment.
Average Joes Entertainment’s Colt Ford will kick off the first leg of his 2012 “Declaration of Independence” Tour beginning, April 6 in Albany, GA. Label mates The Lacs, JB and the Moonshine Band, Rehab and Lenny Cooper will open for Ford on the 20-city tour wrapping in Belvin, AR on June 9. 
Gloriana got romantic with their current single & music video for (Kissed You) Goodnight. The video features two well-known faces including Megan Park (The Secret Life of the American Teenager) and actor/recording artist Tyler Hilton (One Tree Hill). 
CMT CROSSROADS is heading to Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis with a very special episode featuring rock legend Steven Tyler and country music superstar Carrie Underwood. CMT CROSSROADS: STEVEN TYLER & CARRIE UNDERWOOD FROM THE PEPSI SUPER BOWL FAN JAM premieres Saturday, February 4 at 11:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m., ET/PT on CMT as part of the NFL PEPSI SUPER BOWL FAN JAM festivities. 
