Billy Ray wrote that Miley gave him “the gift of music” for his 64th birthday

Billy Ray, often known for his stoic presence, couldn’t hide his emotions. At the end of the song, he stood, clapping with tears in his eyes, before hugging his daughter and whispering, “I love you, Mile.”
The crowd erupted into applause, and the tender exchange quickly went viral as snippets surfaced online. For longtime followers of the Cyrus family, the moment carried extra weight, as public speculation in recent years has often focused on family rifts.
The birthday tribute seemed to put those rumors to rest, highlighting the unshakable bond between Miley and her father.

Billy Ray Cyrus; Miley Cyrus.Credit : Billy Ray Cyrus/Instagram; John Nacion/Variety via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

Billy Ray Cyrus shared a snippet of a new song written by Miley Cyrus
Billy Ray said Miley shared the song, titled “Secrets,” with him for his birthday
“Secrets” features an assist from Fleetwood Mac

Billy Ray Cyrus celebrated his birthday with a very special gift from his daughter Miley Cyrus — an unreleased song that includes some rock royalty.

Billy Ray turned 64 on Monday, Aug. 25 and marked the occasion by sharing a snippet of the song that Miley, 32, wrote for him, titled “Secrets.” The country star said Miley had even recruited members of Fleetwood Mac to play on the track.

“For my birthday, Miley gave me the gift of music and wrote me a song called Secrets and got my favorite musicians Fleetwood Mac to play on it! I love you Mile ❤️” Billy Ray wrote on Instagram.

In a video, Billy Ray roams a large grassy field while listening to the song on his phone. The song features ‘80s-inspired guitars, and lyrics like, “Secrets, I want to keep your secrets/Like sunlight in the shadows/Like footsteps in the grass/I won’t ever break my promise/Like a songbird in the silence/Like stones against the glass.”

The celebration was reportedly an intimate but star-studded gathering, with close friends, relatives, and a few industry legends present. Miley, who has always credited her father for inspiring her career and encouraging her to embrace her artistry, wanted to create something unforgettable. Instead of a standard tribute, she reached out to members of Fleetwood Mac — a band both she and her father deeply admire — to help her craft a birthday performance that blended their family’s country roots with the timeless rock sound that defined a generation. The result was a magical moment that no one in the room will ever forget.

Miley previously teased the song in a June interview on Monica Lewinsky’s podcast, saying tension between her and her father that they’ve since resolved inspired the track, and it’s part of a new album she’s currently working on.

“I wrote this song about my dad,” she said, “because I wanted him to tell me even though there were secrets, even though I didn’t really want to know. I wanted to be the one he felt safe enough to tell me the things that were damning and damaging to the family. I wanted him to think that as a middle child, I’m old enough that I could take some of that.”

The “Flowers” singer said that she and her family members are currently on good terms after what she described as a “dark decade” that included the divorce of her parents Billy Ray and Tish in 2022.

Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus on The Voice.Trae Patton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

“Half of us weren’t speaking to each other at one point, and we cleaned all that up. That was a really important part of my year this year, was all of my family putting those lines of communication back together. A lot because of, you know, I had a lot of loyalty to my mom, the way that families do when parents get divorced,” she said.

As the lights dimmed and Miley took the stage, strumming her guitar with Fleetwood Mac’s rhythm section behind her, Billy Ray’s face lit up in recognition. The performance included a mix of one of his favorite Fleetwood Mac classics woven seamlessly with a heartfelt original verse Miley wrote just for him. The lyrics reflected their journey together — from his early struggles in Nashville, to the breakout success of “Achy, Breaky Heart,” to Miley’s transformation into a global star. Fans lucky enough to catch glimpses of the event through leaked clips described the performance as “chills-inducing” and “a perfect father-daughter love letter in song.”

Miley went on to explain that she ultimately resolved the situation by embracing joy.

“I just kind of bust through the pile that’s stacked, and just go, ‘I’m here. You’re here. Let’s start by having a good time together,’” she said. “And then as we start bringing some happiness and joy into each other’s life, then we’ll just be in a better place to have these conversations. ‘Cause I’d rather get it balanced first.”

Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus attend the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas in May 2017.John Shearer/BBMA2017/Getty

Billy Ray and girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley supported Miley in June at a London premiere event for her latest album Something Beautiful.

Hurley, 60, also weighed in on Miley’s new song for her dad in the comments section of Billy Ray’s birthday post, writing, “Happy Birthday and what a beautiful video to a beautiful song by your beautiful daughter ❤️❤️❤️.”

To celebrate his big day, Billy Ray also released a new version of his hit 1992 single “Achy Breaky Heart,” alongside a nostalgic video that featured clips of him with Hurley and throwback clips.

“This year, for my birthday, I wanted to give something back,” he wrote. “From the very first time I sang ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ in the spring of ’91 to this remix today, it’s all because of YOU.

I teamed up with Don Von Tress and The Johnson Mill Branch Boys on a brand-new Achy Breaky Heart (Remix) as my gift to the fans. None of this would have been possible without the support of y’all through the years. Hope you enjoy this birthday present from me to you. 💔🎶🎸.”

Miley Cyrus has once again shown that her bond with her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, runs deeper than fame and music charts. In a heartwarming twist that left fans teary-eyed and cheering across social media, Miley surprised her father with a one-of-a-kind birthday tribute that no one saw coming. The pop superstar went above and beyond by secretly arranging for members of the legendary Fleetwood Mac to join her in performing a personalized song for the country icon’s big day. The gesture left Billy Ray visibly moved, flashing a beaming smile and uttering the heartfelt words, “I love you, Mile,” in front of friends, family, and music royalty alike.

Fans online were quick to express their admiration, with hashtags like #CyrusBirthdaySurprise and #MileyAndBillyRay trending within hours. “This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” one fan posted. Another wrote, “Say what you want about celebrity families, but the love between Miley and Billy Ray is real and so moving.” Even fellow musicians chimed in, praising Miley’s creativity in orchestrating such a unique and emotional tribute. For many, it wasn’t just about a birthday — it was about celebrating family, legacy, and the power of music to connect generations.