You may have heard some of the story, but I am ready to tell you the WHOLE story because I know the man in the middle of the controversy. This week, while all of the biggest stars in country music were in Nashville for the CMAs, Billy Ray Cyrus was making the rounds to promote the re-release of an obscure song he first released in 1989, and one intrepid morning show host, Woody Johnson of WCOL's Woody and the Wake Up Call, had the guts to ask Mr. Achy Breaky Heart about his highly publicized divorce proceedings from Mrs. Achy Breaky Heart/Miley's Mom, Tish Cyrus. That is, he tried to ask.
Billy Ray was not very happy.
As you can hear in the audio from WCOL in Columbus, OH, Billy Ray Cyrus (who has not disputed the audio's contents) decided to end the interview when Woody attempted to ask him about the divorce.
At first, Billy Ray tried to sound jovial and funny, but, as the exchange continued (and he thought he was off mic), Cyrus got up and started to get angry. Listen to the last 10 seconds, and you can hear him telling Woody, "I will never talk to you again .. you were very rude ... you should be disgusted."
After listening to the audio, do you think Woody was rude?
I want you to know, I do have a bias in this story. I make a weekly appearance on WCOL's Woody and the Wake Up Call, where I review movies and we talk about Hollywood news. This also gave me a chance to get Woody's side of the story.
According to Woody, no one affiliated with Billy Ray said the question was off limits. Each station interviewing Cyrus was given some background information about what he was promoting, and it did not include any prohibition from asking about the divorce.
Further more, according to Woody, "I like BRC! I always have! I wasn't trying to ambush or corner, or 'backdoor' him in any way. If he didn't want to or couldn't talk about it - I get it!!! And I would have been fine with that. I move on, it's over, on to the next question."
And, Woody and I agree on the most important aspect of the story, did Cyrus and his team HONESTLY think no one was going to ask about the divorce?
If anything, Woody was kind about this.
There are plenty of rumors about Tish possibly fooling around with Bret Michaels.
He could have hounded Cyrus about how this was impacting his kids, especially Miley herself!
He gave Cyrus a chance to kindly reject the question, but Billy Ray completely overreacted. This is a no brainer. Just tell Woody you can't talk about it for all sorts of privacy reasons and legal reasons, then move on. Instead, and I believe this was intentional, Billy Ray took an opportunity to show anyone who will be speaking to him in the future he will react in the most nasty way possible, so don't mess with Cyrus. It's a measure to intimidate future interviewers. Shame on Billy Ray.
At first, Billy Ray tried to sound jovial and funny, but, as the exchange continued (and he thought he was off mic), Cyrus got up and started to get angry. Listen to the last 10 seconds, and you can hear him telling Woody, "I will never talk to you again .. you were very rude ... you should be disgusted."
After listening to the audio, do you think Woody was rude?
I want you to know, I do have a bias in this story. I make a weekly appearance on WCOL's Woody and the Wake Up Call, where I review movies and we talk about Hollywood news. This also gave me a chance to get Woody's side of the story.
According to Woody, no one affiliated with Billy Ray said the question was off limits. Each station interviewing Cyrus was given some background information about what he was promoting, and it did not include any prohibition from asking about the divorce.
Further more, according to Woody, "I like BRC! I always have! I wasn't trying to ambush or corner, or 'backdoor' him in any way. If he didn't want to or couldn't talk about it - I get it!!! And I would have been fine with that. I move on, it's over, on to the next question."
And, Woody and I agree on the most important aspect of the story, did Cyrus and his team HONESTLY think no one was going to ask about the divorce?
If anything, Woody was kind about this.
There are plenty of rumors about Tish possibly fooling around with Bret Michaels.
He could have hounded Cyrus about how this was impacting his kids, especially Miley herself!
He gave Cyrus a chance to kindly reject the question, but Billy Ray completely overreacted. This is a no brainer. Just tell Woody you can't talk about it for all sorts of privacy reasons and legal reasons, then move on. Instead, and I believe this was intentional, Billy Ray took an opportunity to show anyone who will be speaking to him in the future he will react in the most nasty way possible, so don't mess with Cyrus. It's a measure to intimidate future interviewers. Shame on Billy Ray.
I do not think Woody was rude or inappropriate. Billy was there, he knew people where going to ask questions. And it seemed to me he was a bit melodramatic in his response, if you don't want to answer questions you know everyone is wondering about then tell them the questions are off limits or stay home. I can't believe this has gotten as big as it has. I am a Wood Head and I think Billy needs to get a grip.
No, SHAME OF WOODY! Mr. Cyrus did the right thing, if it was me I would of hit him in the face!
I think the DJ was rude, Billy Ray was indeed correct to get out of there. This DJ could of asked Billy Ray before hand if he could talk about his divorce, but the DJ did not want to do that because he knew what the answer would be, and by doing it the way he did he wanted a reaction out of Billy Ray and that is what he got. It is not anyone's business about the Divorce. Billy Ray was not their to promote it. I agree with what Billy Ray said to the DJ.
Shame on Billy Ray?? Shame on Woody for being so insensitive. He knew what he was doing. BR is emotional and sensitive about his divorce as anyone would be with it happening so recently. Woody knew that and did not need to push further. Billy Ray said bless you Woody and bless our troops as he left. He was there to talk about his new version of "Some Gave All". All Woody wanted to talk about is his divorce. SHAME ON WOODY! Billy Ray handled this with class and dignity, unlike Woody. I hope BR doesn't stop at this radio station again.
I say shame on Woody. When someone you are interviewing changes the subject why would you keep asking the same question. Which Woody did over and over.I say way to go Billy Ray. If Woody had not kept asking over and over Billy Ray would not have reacted the way he did.
Here's My Open Letter To Woody:
I call B.S. on you Woody.You had to know that Billy Ray is hurting and very vulnerable right now.Maybe in a few years he can talk about the divorce but not now.The man is hurting big time.It's still too fresh in his heart and mind.Asking him that question was like rubbing salt in to an open wound.He is right you are rude.
Woody,you say you know him and like him.If so why would you think that you could ask him about such a painful and personal subject and not expect him to have a reaction?He is only human and if you know him as well as you claim to then you would know how much he treasures his home and family and how very painful his parents divorce was to him when he was a child.What person would want to talk about their own divorce when it just happened?
Billy Ray is such a kind and caring person and he deserves to be treated the way that he treats every one,with respect.I have never seen him be rude to any body and I have followed him for the last 18 years.You know I have seen many interviews with Billy Ray since he announced his divorce and not one person has asked him about it.Do you know why Woody?It's because they have class and respect for him.Two things that you so obviously are lacking.Congratulations Woody you are in a class all by your little ole self,the uncouth class which you excel at.
Billy Ray deserves an apology from you but I am sure that he won't get it.Guys like you never say they are sorry.In your tiny little mind you probably think that you are a really tough guy to make Billy Ray so upset that he had to get out of there.You probably believe that he was scared of you so that's why he left.I am sure you are laughing and bragging to all your friends about how you made Billy Ray Cyrus leave the studio.
The truth is you probably disgusted him so much he couldn't wait to get away from the stench of you and your rude questions.Billy Ray is too much of a gentleman and has way too much class to say this to you so I will just say it for him."WOODY YOU SUCK"
Shame on you Woody!
You were very rude to Billy Ray
Asking him about the divorce was uncalled for. It is a private matter and should be left like this.
Billy Ray came to the interview about his
song Some Gave All he rerecorded with other singers.
Billy Rays behavior was like a gentleman.
Which I can`t say about you.
I say SHAME ON WOODY! Billy Ray walked out because he is a classy man and he did the right thing. I think Mr. Woody new exactly what he was doing and he knew he was wrong and he did not care...he only wanted it for the ratings. Billy Ray is a celebrity but he is also a human being and is going through a very difficult time in his life. He was promoting the re-make of Some Gave All and not his personal life. Woody do you know what the word "RESPECT" means...if not look it up because you need to learn it. God Bless our Troops and God Bless Billy Ray for caring. Woody you were rude and I think you owe Mr. Cyrus an apology!!
I wouldn't call it "guts" to ask Billy Ray about his divorce, I would call it rude, inconsiderate, and looking for ratings! He should have been focusing on the purpose of the interview, the remake of Some Gave All. When he initially wrote and recorded Some Gave All it helped recognize and finally welcome home our Vietnam Veterans. Billy Ray was clearly annoyed but yet he still took a moment to mention our Troops. We need more patriotic men like him in this country!
Seriously Woody??? You've embarassed all of your listeners here in Columbus of which I used to be one. No class whatsoever.
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THE OTHERS HERE.. THE DJ WAS RUDE, AND HAD TO KNOW THAT BILLY WOULDN'T BEGIN TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT THIS. I'VE BEEN A HUGE BILLY RAY AND MILEY FAN FOR AGES.. IF HE'S BEEN A BILLY RAY FAN, LIKE HE SAYS, HE'D NEVER HAVE GONE THERE..
MY LOVE AND RESPECT GO OUT TO BILLY RAY AND THE FAMILY. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT THEY ARE GOING THRU. I HOPE THEY KNOW THEY ARE IN SO MANY PEOPLES PRAYERS, INCLUDING MINE.
GOD BLESS BILLY RAY CYRUS!
Willie, you have written a clearly biased blog that was long on insults and short on facts. "Some Gave All" was released in 1992, and is far from obscure. Outside of "God Bless The USA" it's arguably the most well-known military tribute song.
Woody had talking points and failed to stick to them. Cyrus was there to talk about what was listed there... anything else, ESPECIALLY that, is out of bounds. He also admits to asking BRC the question TWICE before getting his frustrated reaction the third time. A DJ (or person for that matter) who had any level of sense, class, or professionalism would've gotten the hint after the first time he was ignored.
As others have pointed out here, not one other interview Cyrus has done since the divorce announcement has included that question. They had enough sense and respect for him and his private life to not ask about it. Woody was WAY out of line here, and he admitted it in an email to me:
"I could have asked the question with more deference and care, yes. I absolutely will give you that, and WISH I would have." -Woody Johnson
Now, hopefully he acknowledges his insensitivity on the air.
Spare me. I'd have asked the same question. Anyone in this biz more than 20 minutes would. How could he not have expected it? If you had been asked beforehand not to "go there" - that's something else. Rude? Hardly. You are too kind.
Billy Ray is first and foremost a family man! His family and his faith have ALWAYS come before his celebrity. While this divorce is extremely hard on him and his family, I'm sure the decision did not come lightly. Some things are just extremely personal and painful and should be left alone. Being a celebrity does not give anyone the right to intrude on that pain. My thoughts and prayers are with Billy Ray and his family!
wow, probably would have expected something like this from a dj like Jimmy Jam, but Woody?? Really? Wtf were you thinking? Ooh, I'm going to ask what no one else dares to ask. Here goes............are you kidding me? Wish I wouldn't have heard that. I had the highest respect for you before that. Your ratings just dropped to an all time low. Nice job, way to get Columbus on the map, dummy.
I say good for you Billy Ray. Woody was a complete jerk. BR did the right thing by walking out. He showed class not like Woody.Billy Ray was there promoting the troops who gives their lives for us everyday.Have you done anything lately Woody for our troops? I use to listen to this station but will never again. When someone has no respect for another human being celebrity or not and what they are going thru. I say it;s time to find a new station that I know has a litttle bit of heart. Some Gave All is a tribute to our troops.Thank you Billy Ray Cyrus for all you do and I say SHAME ON YOU WOODY.