Billy Ray Cyrus Clears Up Confusion About Name Change

Billy Ray Cyrus might have gotten a little carried away when he announced that he was changing his name. In April, the “Achy Breaky Heart” singer told Rolling Stone Country that he had plans to legally drop “Billy Ray” and simply go by his surname.

“After August 25th, I will be the artist formerly known as Billy Ray. I’m just going by my last name Cyrus,” he said. “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.”

When Cyrus appeared on Live With Kelly and Ryan, co-host Ryan Seacrest told Cyrus that both Kelly Ripa and fans were outraged when it was announced that he would now be going only by “Cyrus.” He asked Cyrus to clear everything up so that everyone would know for sure.

“I’m here to set the record straight. That’s the name of the album – ‘Cyrus’. Then, subtitled, ‘Set the Record Straight,’” Cyrus explained with a laugh.

He assured that he was not changing his name, but actually preparing to release new music. He was trying to keep everything under wraps until August 25, which is his birthday. He also chose that day because this year is the 25th anniversary of “Achy Breaky Heart,” and he wanted a play on the number 25.

Fans got a preview of Cyrus’s new music on Cyrus’s CMT show Still the King when the show featured his new song “You Good.”

“I wrote it about sending Miley or Noah a text, like you do, you say, ‘you good?’ You know, just checking in,” Cyrus shared.

Cyrus felt that the song was applicable to the story-line in his show, so he chose to premiere it there.

There is no news about when exactly Cyrus’s new album out, but according to the singer, fans can expect more information by August 25. As for his name, fans can rest easy because he will still be going by “Billy Ray.”