The Other Side (CD - 2003)

Personnel includes: Billy Ray Cyrus (vocals); Terry Shelton, B. James Lowery (acoustic guitar); Billy Joe Walker, Jr. (electric guitar, gut string guitar); Pat Buchanan, Brent Mason (electric guitar); Dan Dugmore (slide guitar); Jonathan Yudkin (fiddle); Kevin Haynie (banjo); John Jarvis (piano, Hammond B-3 organ); Gordon Mote (Hammond B-3 organ, synthesizer); Michael Rhodes, Glenn Worf, Dave Pomeroy (bass); Paul Leim (drums, tambourine); Lonnie Wilson, Greg Morrow (drums); Bekka Bramlett, Kim Carnes, Wendi Green, Richard Marx, Gene Miller, Kim Parent, Joe Scaife, Chance Scoggins, Harry Stinson (background vocals).

Recorded at Emerald Entertainment, Nashville, Tennessee.

Years after "Achy Breaky Heart" had fallen from the charts, and Billy Ray Cyrus's legendary mullet had been replaced by a stylishly coifed 'do, the Kentucky native, for many, remained the ultimate embodiment of a one-hit-wonder who relied on style over substance. Those who were quick to dismiss Cyrus, however, have missed a surprisingly consistent and enjoyable catalog of expertly sung and emotionally resonant new-traditionalist country music. With THE OTHER SIDE, TV's "Doc" continues to silence the critics by delivering a heartfelt collection of inspirational and Christian-themed country and roots-rock that often has more to do with Nashville artists like Clint Black and Alan Jackson than with the novelty material he favored earlier in his career. Cyrus has picked a great group of songs here, rich with descriptive detail and storytelling narrative. In addition, the singer's voice has become a nicely worn-in instrument, capable of delivering passionate readings that rival the best of his more celebrated contemporaries. minimize