“Busy Man” Cyrus Rocks The Wine Country

November 13th, 2007

While entertaining a packed house at The Wells Fargo Center For The Arts in Santa Rosa, California on November 2nd, Billy Ray Cyrus, accompanied with his band Slydog, proved he is much more than the stereotypes of mullets and words such as “achy” and “breaky.”  Covering more than a decade of hits Cyrus showed the versatility a true performer must sustain in order to stay alive in a vast, ever changing music industry.  Being personal, funny, and sentimental Billy Ray drew the crowd into his music effortlessly with a knack only a true professional can.

Opening the “Home At Last Tour” with the self-penned, “Stand Still,” Cyrus brought the crowd to their feet in unanimous cheers and applause.  Moving from one end of the stage to the other there was not one attendee who didn’t get a chance to be up close and personal with Hannah Montana’s “Robbie Ray.”

Joe, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Robert

A few numbers later the former Doc star’s true personality of being a warm and loving individual shined through.  During the performance of his 1993 Top Ten hit, “In The Heart Of A Woman,” Cyrus allowed fans to approach the stage to shake hands and get autographs while he continued to perform.  Children and other admirers could be seen with smiles larger than that of Alice In Wonderland’s Cheshire Cat.

Before performing his current single, “Ready, Set, Don’t Go,” from the Walt Disney Records album, Home At Last, Billy Ray talked about being proud of daughter, Miley (famous for Disney’s Hannah Montana).  He described how he had gone to her Oakland, California performance of the “Best Of Both Worlds Tour” and had the opportunity to perform “Ready…” onstage with her in front of the Bay Area audience.

As the show wound to a close Cyrus delivered his signature hit, “Achy Breaky Heart.”  From the first note the entire theater knew what was coming and delivered enthusiastic chants of “YEAH!”s and “GO BILLY RAY!”s.  Being a true entertainer Billy Ray encouraged concertgoers to sing along with him in authentic concert style.

As he started to make his way offstage the shouts of fans wanting more became deafening causing Cyrus to turn around.  He brought himself back to his microphone and asked the audience, “You want more?”  The response was an overwhelming yes.  Before beginning his encore Cyrus thanked God for all the blessings in his life.  It was then that he began to sing his rendition to the touching, “Amazing Grace.”  Once concluded, there was not a dry eye to be found in the theater.

Other standout performances of the evening were “Busy Man,” the moving “It’s All The Same To Me,” the patriotic “Some Gave All,” the rockin’ “Words By Heart,” a cover to Van Morrison’s, “Brown Eyed Girl,” and the fun “I Want My Mullet Back,” during which Cyrus sported a funky, blonde wig reminiscent of his earlier music years.

Looking back on Cyrus’s career it’s no surprise he has the following he has today.  The combined total of hit singles, a hit television show, and the heart and soul of an amazing human being is what has carried him so far.  New and upcoming talent should look to Cyrus for inspiration as a reminder for what life and music is all about – to have fun and to love.

Joseph Nielsen

EmotionalDirections.com

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Thank you to the following individuals and companies who helped make this night memorable.

◙        Christine Ando

◙        The staff at The Wells Fargo Center For The Arts

◙        The following at Robert Half International of Santa Rosa, CA: Krystine A., Erica T., and Jenny P.

◙        The Proof Department staff of Exchange Bank of Santa Rosa

And of course Billy Ray Cyrus & Slydog themselves.

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© Emotional Directions™, 2007