Even with the publication of Billy Ray Cyrus' "Hillbilly Heart" memoir more than a year away, it's a safe bet that the book will engender emotional responses -- for and against.
In the tome, Cyrus purportedly opens up about his own rebellious youth, his rise to fame with "Achy Breaky Heart," and the role that religious faith plays in his life. And of course, there's the eye-catching part: that he writes "with great candor" about the challenges of raising his talented wild-child daughter, Miley.
Uh-oh.
Having been continuously accused of exploiting Miley's success for his own career gain ever since "Hannah Montana" made her a Disney Channel "It" girl in 2006, Billy Ray's had more than his share of print misadventures. There was the infamous Vanity Fair story of 2008, with the cover picture of a bare-topped, 15-year-old Miley amid rumpled sheets and an eyebrow-raising father-daughter inside photo spread.
Then there was Billy Ray's notorious GQ interview of a year ago, in which he criticized "Hannah Montana" and the people handling Miley's career -- in addition to comparing her to the late Anna Nicole Smith while airing his worries about her many episodes of questionable behavior. When her widely reported response was hurt and anger, he talked some more about wanting to repair his familial relationships in People.
And then there are the stories of his own interesting relationship histories, including fathering children with two different women in the same year.
No wonder Billy Ray comes off extremely guarded -- wounded -- in interviews, unless he happens to be talking about such safe topics as his music and charitable causes.
Which brings us to the other Billy Ray, the patriotic guy who has visited countless troops here and in Iraq and Afghanistan, has supported various worthy causes and has played roles in uplifting fare.
To his fans, he's gotten a bum rap in the media.
Now, with his Amazon book deal, the public will get a chance to hear the whole Cyrus story from Billy Ray himself. No prejudiced journalists spinning his words negatively or taking them out of context. No photographer surprises. It will be all his way, in his hands.
Miley, gird yourself.
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