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By K.O. Pemberton
MSN TV
In an exclusive interview, the new host of "Nashville Star" (Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on NBC), Billy Ray Cyrus, sat down with MSN TV to talk about the new season on NBC, his return to his musical roots and what we should be looking for in the next country music superstar.
MSN TV: How excited are you to be part of such a successful show looking for the next country music superstar?
Billy Ray Cyrus: Well, it's fantastic and so appropriate for my life right now. My life is in a stage right now where it's all about the music. And quite frankly, it's where it has always been for me. From the time I started singing with my Dad's gospel quartet when I was just a kid, I just always loved music. Loved the whole artistic process, writing songs, harmonies and the total package of entertainment and that's what we're looking for here at "Nashville Star." We're looking for the next great American artist to emerge out of this and honestly, the competition level is fierce. We've got 12 major contestants that are all super talented and it's going to be a battle. We've got a great panel of judges who kind of mentor them through this process and hammer them now and then. It's going to be very entertaining for people to watch and it's great that it's on NBC this year.
More: Full "Nashville Star" Coverage
You mentioned that it's all about the music right now. How has your musical identity advanced through the years. Does your fairly new notoriety as a TV dad and the drift toward pop-music through "Hannah Montana" have an impact on you?
Well, you may know, I had a huge hit last year titled, "Ready, Set, Don't Go" , which is a song I wrote about Miley (Cyrus) when she left Tenessee for California. It's about every parent reaching that bridge where you have to let go. I wrote that song and then the writers of "Hannah Montana" wrote an episode around the song and then the song became the cornerstone of my album, "Home at Last" and it became a big record. So the two styles kind of go hand-in-hand. Brings me back to where I am now. Funny enough, the same day I found out I would be hosting "Nashville Star", I found out that they were going to do this feature film around "Hannah Montana" in Tennessee, so real quick it was obvious that I was going home. Out of that sheer enjoyment I wrote a song called, "Back to Tennessee." It's the title of this new album I have coming out on October 21st.
You've done some hosting before, but how do you feel about hosting this live show throughout the summer?
Oh, I'm so excited, man, I love this. This may be one of my favorite jobs I've ever had in my life. I'm really digging it. Again, it's about the music and I look at these kids and I see the same dreams burning in their eyes that were burning in mine for so many years. I've walked the sidewalks down here in Nashville and carried a sachel full of songs and dreams and I see that in these kids. This is their chance to make those dreams come true right now this summer. You can just see they have a real fire for it and fortunately for all parties involved, I sort of had to do it the hard way. I had to make a decade of mistakes, a decade of things that didn't work out so I could find that one way that would. This competition this summer can really be a short-cut for one of these contestants. If there's anything I can say or do to help them along the way, I'm glad to do it.
What do you think it will take to become the next "Nashville Star?"
Oh, it's going to take a lot of talent. I've seen the level of competition out there and you're going to have to be super talented and you're going to have that appeal with the fans. Without sounding too cliché, you've got to have the charisma of the superstar which is going to be what connects with the fans in America. I've been sort of jokingly saying, "There's no hanging 'chads' here. America votes and the votes count."
Video: Interview with Billy Ray Cyrus
What can you tell us about this year's show and the 12 finalists. What should "Nashville Star" fans be looking forward to?
I think they are going to realize that it really is all about the music. It's about the talent that these young people are bringing to the table. Just the fact that there are duo's and trio's this year really ups the ante and really brining a whole new level to the competition and to the viewers out there. You're not just going to watch 12 people individually sing. The duo's and trio's really add a new element to the whole competition.
You are in the unique position of not having to judge these artists, yet you still can be a mentor and someone them to look up to. Do you like not having to cross that line into judging the contestants?
I absolutely love it. I have the best balance in this job.
When you launched your recording career, did you only envision yourself as a musician or did you somewhat anticipate the cross-over to TV and acting?
No, I never dreamed about becoming an actor. Never. I have to credit my dad for that. He wanted me to expand and have a career. He used Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton as an example. He said, "If you could just branch out into film and television, it puts you in a position where you're not dependent on radio and have all your eggs in one basket." So I went out and auditioned for David Lynch's "Mullholland Drive" and that came through and luckily on the set he kind of inspired me as an actor and told me I could do it if I wanted to. So I went out to get my first series the next week, called "Doc," and I auditioned and they hired me. 4 years and 88 episodes later I was a full-time actor. It changes it all and I'll tell you, I've found that acting is a lot like music and it all comes down to one word, and that word is, "real". Just keep it real, ya know? Same thing in the songs, the music and as an actor, just keep it real.
Has your fan base changed with your evolution as a TV Star? Have the fans you won with "Achy Breaky Heart" proven to be your TV fans as well?
It's been pretty amazing, man. You come to my concert now and there is no line drawn. Everybody from one end of the spectrum to the other is there. The whole family is there. From the kids to mom and dad to the grandparents are there. In some ways it's what entertainment is supposed to be about. It crosses all genre's, there are no racial barriers, it's just people who feel the same emotion coming together in song.
As we look forward to finding the next country superstar on "Nashville Star", do you think country fans have higher expectations for their artists to prove themselves as well-rounded artists and not just another great voice?
I think with this show being on NBC it's a win-win situation for country music. I think it's a win-win situation for Nashville and it's a win-win situation for the artist and NBC. This is a great time to unite all forces around song. Again, going back to the slogan, it's all about the music. Ya know, you bring it in, the power of the song, the power of the music combined with NBC television. Somebody's life is going to change this summer, whoever wins this competition. Their life is going to change real quickly.
"Nashville Star" airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on
NBC.
