Billy Ray Cyrus' 'Change My Mind' Album Came From Raw, Emotional Place

Posted Oct 4th 2012 2:00PM by Gayle Thompson
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Sweet Talk Publicity

Billy Ray Cyrus is only a few weeks away from the release of his 13th studio album, Change My Mind. The 51-year-old, who has weathered plenty of storms in the past few years, including the break-up and reconciliation with his wife, Tish, says the 10-song CD is a reflection of his emotions as he faced several personal challenges.

"My songs come to me when I'm dealing with heavy stuff," Billy Ray explains. "If I'm going through something emotional, the songs pour out of me. It's the only way I know how to express myself. I have lived through every emotion on every one of these songs. I'd just write it all down and tell myself, 'Lean into the music.'"

Change My Mind, which is a mix of bluegrass, gospel, country and Southern rock, became the Kentucky native's way to cope with so many difficulties in his own life. "There's not a song on there that I'd planned on writing," he told The Boot last year. "I write songs because it's the only way I know to express myself, to be honest. My songs come when I'm dealing with heavy stuff in life."

The "Achy Breaky Heart" singer, who has sold more than 21 million albums worldwide, hints that this might be the last set of new tunes he releases. "I don't even want to write another album, I don't want to record another album after this one," he acknowledged. "I didn't even want to write this one. I was going to retire after I'm American [released in 2011] but I wrote this next batch of music so now I need to record it and bring it full circle."

Change My Mind will be released on Oct. 23. The album's title track is already climbing the charts.

Watch Billy Ray Cyrus' 'Change My Mind' Video

Go Behind the Scenes of the 'Change My Mind' Video

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