After years of living in Tennessee, Billy Ray Cyrus moved his family to Los Angeles so he and his daughter, Miley, could star in the Disney Channel TV show, Hannah Montana.
The series became a worldwide hit, which led to production of a feature-length film following Billy Ray and Miley’s characters back to their home state of Tennessee to reconnect with their Southern roots.
Cyrus got word that the higher ups wanted to film the movie in another state, but he fought to film the movie on location because he felt that in real life, he and Miley needed to go back to the South.
“It was important for us to come back to where we are from and remember who we are,” he told CMT.
Once they began filming for Hannah Montana: The Movie, Cyrus was overcome with “a very positive emotion of coming home” and wrote “Back To Tennessee”.
They were able to use it in the movie as a song Cyrus’ character performs at a fundraiser to save his hometown from a big development.
In an interview with The Pittsburgh Gazette, Cyrus opens up about the lyrics of “Back to Tennessee” and what they mean to him.
“If you download “Back to Tennessee” and listen to the whole song,” he said. “You’ll hear exactly how I felt after four years of Hannah Montana, and living in Los Angeles and giving up my previous life and existence and who I am and where I come from. You’ll hear a guy who’s immersed in music, and my love and desire and need to go back home.”
The music video features clips from the movie intermixed with images of him playing guitar and walking on the beach. He also included the song on his 2009 album of the same name.
He hasn’t starred in a television show since Hannah Montana, but fret not, fans! He is returning to the small screen for the new CMT TV show Still The King. Watch the trailer here and mark your calendars for the premiere on June 12!
Watch the music video for “Back To Tennessee” below.
