Billy Ray Cyrus To Legally Change Name To ‘Cyrus’

Musician Billy Ray Cyrus plans to drop his first two names, and perform under the name “Cyrus.”

BILLY RAY CYRUS TO CHANGE NAME TO CYRUS

The country singer announced this week that he will release new music under the name Cyrus, and plans to legally drop the “Billy Ray.” “After August 25th, I will be the artist formerly known as Billy Ray. I’m just going by my last name Cyrus,” he told Rolling Stone. “I always went by Cyrus, and I begged Mercury Records to call me Cyrus in the beginning because that’s what I was comfortable with. I’m going to the hospital where I was born in Bellefonte, Kentucky, and legally changing my name.”

Cyrus’ biggest hit, “Achy Breaky Heart,” turns 25 this year, as does his daughter Miley Cyrus. He celebrated the milestone by rerecording the song in Alabama with songwriter Don Van Tress and members of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. Cyrus plans to include the recording on his new album set to come out this year. He will also release a Spanglish version of “Achy Breaky Heart,” as well as an EDM version with Bootsy Collins.

In the midst of all this, Cyrus is also gearing up for the second season of CMT’s Still the King, in which he plays an Elvis impersonator on the run.