Hillbilly Heart
According to him, when he has reached critical points in his life, singer-songwriter Billy Ray Cyrus hears voices. So far, parents, teachers, girlfriends, juvenile-court judges, tarot-card readers, complete strangers, and even spirits have warned him of dangers and offered directions to reform his life, but he often fends off advice as long as he can. He especially resisted the ghostly “Buy a guitar and start a band” message until he discovered that left-handed guitars exist, which he understood as a sign from God telling him to heed the inexplicable call. Although he learned to play guitar quickly and had natural singing ability, he spent many years performing in dangerous dance halls, under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and women, before he landed a recording contract in Nashville. With wit and candor reminiscent of his song lyrics, Cyrus recounts his rise to musical stardom, the start of his acting career, and his struggles to maintain a marriage and raise children. His fans and those of his daughter Miley Cyrus will enjoy this tell-everything memoir. --Rick Roche