Photo: Tech. Sgt. Cherie A. Thurlby, U.S. Air Force / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
"Achy Breaky Heart" is a country song recorded by Billy Ray Cyrus and released in 1992 as the lead single from his debut album, Some Gave All. Written by Don Von Tress, its catchy honky-tonk hook and accompanying line dance became a worldwide phenomenon, topping charts internationally and turning Cyrus into an overnight star.
The song's success put the Cyrus family on the road — including in the orbit of Dolly Parton, Billy Ray's friend and supporter — setting in motion the friendship that made Parton godmother to his daughter Miley that same year.