Bobby Cyrus is a singer/songwriter standing tall on his own merit, not on his family tree. While he may be the younger cousin of Billy Ray Cyrus, each has a distinctive style that sets them apart. With his debut CD, Homeplace, soon to be released, he’s not looking for comparisons, but just a chance to catch the ear of country music listeners and as Bobby comments, “I trust the fans.”

Since Bobby and Billy Ray do share those musical genes, it’s only natural that they would end up in the studio together. Oddly enough, the song they chose as a duet was a composition Billy Ray had written years ago entitled, “Milkman’s Eyes.” This fun, tongue-in-cheek tune is the first single from Homeplace, and has introduced Bobby to the national spotlight. The song is gaining spins at radio and the video shot by acclaimed filmmaker, John Lloyd Miller is also garnering airplay.

While “Milkman’s Eyes,” may show the sense of humor of these two cousins, the remainder of the CD spotlights the depth of Bobby’s own writing and his ability to deliver a traditional country song. Bobby notes, “I’ve made my music with the life I’ve lived.” He continues to explain, “I’m usually emotionally driven by an idea or a thought or a real truth that I’ve experienced.”

And it’s not been an overnight journey. Previously living in Nashville, he struggled to make ends meet, finally deciding to take his young family back to Kentucky, where he made a living as a heavy-machinery sales and management exec, only performing occasionally. When talking about that early time in Nashville, he comments, “I wasn’t ready. My talent wasn’t ready. I apparently wasn’t ready.”

After his father died, Bobby’s burning desire came back to life. He comments, “My Dad was my inspiration as a writer and everything. That’s what he done. He never really got to pursue it. I don’t want to be in my last days wondering what if.” The title cut, Homeplace, was inspired by a poem written and often read by his father at family gatherings. Ironically, a lost recording of his Dad reciting that poem surfaced just as Bobby was working on this project and he was able to incorporate a piece of that at the beginning of this very personal lyric.

Another special song on the album is “A Rose For Marie,” written by Tom T. Hall and inspired by the death of John Hartford’s wife, Marie. Bobby, once a writer for Tom & Dixie’s Good Home Grown Music, loved the song, so they saved it specifically for his debut recording. Making the song even more memorable, you’ll hear Tom T. make a special guest appearance on the recitation.

The project recorded primarily at Ricky Skaggs Family Studio is practically a who’s who in the music industry with everyone from Billy Ray and Tom T. to Rebecca Lynn Howard, John Cowan, Larry Cordle and Carl Jackson making appearances – a true sign that his star is on the rise!

While Bobby Cyrus may have a familiar name, his music is one of a kind.