Billy Ray Cyrus aims to revive the mullet

updated 6:17 p.m. ET June 7, 2006

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Billy Ray Cyrus wants his mullet back.

On his upcoming album, the country singer whose 1990s 'do resembled an oversized coon skin cap sings, “Bellbottoms were really cool, cuttin' class and skippin' school ... Only one thing that I miss more than that, I want my mullet back.”

Cyrus, 44, will perform here Saturday — sans mullet — as part of the four-day CMA Music Festival. It will be his 14th straight appearance at the festival, which opens Thursday and draws tens of thousands of country music fans.

“To see people dance is the greatest gift you can ask for. I cherish those moments of being with the fans,” said Cyrus, who spoke to The Associated Press by phone from the Los Angeles set of "Hannah Montana," the Disney Channel hit series in which he appears with his 13-year-old daughter, Miley, the title character.

The show's popularity has raised Cyrus' exposure. For the first time in a while, the singer will perform on the main stage with top acts like Trace Adkins, Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride and Brad Paisley. His daughter is expected to attend with him.

Not just a one-hit wonder
Cyrus shot to fame in 1992 with “Achy Breaky Heart,” the catchy novelty hit that sparked a line-dancing craze and made Cyrus and his mullet the toast of Nashville.

The Flatwoods, Ky., native followed it with a respectable run of hits, five of which reached the Top 10, the last being 1998's “Busy Man.”

He also expanded into acting, including a small part in David Lynch's dark film “Mulholland Drive” and a starring role as Dr. Clint Cassidy on the former PAX-TV series “Doc.”

But he never came close to matching the success of his signature song, and for that he is often lumped into the one-hit wonder category.

It's a tag Cyrus doesn't like.

“Anybody who would make that statement is probably very narrow-minded and probably never researched the rest of the music I've ever made,” he said. “I feel very fortunate to have recorded and been able to sing and have a record like ‘Achy Breaky Heart.’ Some people look their whole life for a song that can be a worldwide smash.”

Given the choice, Cyrus would rather discuss his new album, “Wanna Be Your Joe,” due out July 18, or the Disney show.

The album includes a duet with Loretta Lynn and George Jones called “Country Music has the Blues,” and a tribute to late Lynyrd Skynyrd singer Ronnie Van Zant called “The Freebird Fell” which features former Skynyrd members Ed King and Artimus Pyle. Cyrus wrote or co-wrote all 12 tracks. The new TV show is already a hit. “Hannah Montana” scored the highest debut ratings of any Disney Channel series when it arrived in March and remains one of the more popular children's shows on cable television.

In the series, Hannah Montana (Miley) is a teen who moved from Tennessee to Malibu, Calif., where she lives a secret life as a pop star overseen by her father-manager (the elder Cyrus).

Cyrus said he was searching for something different from the role he played on "Doc," but never dreamed he'd be in a Disney comedy opposite his teenage daughter.

“Like everything in life, sometimes you have to turn the page and open up a new door,” he said.

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