HOGANSBURG — Billy Ray Cyrus's "Back to Tennessee" tour swings through Akwesasne Sunday.

The Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter/actor said he's been to the region many times before.

"The fans in that area are some of the greatest fans," said Cyrus in a phone interview from Savannah, Ga.

"We're so looking forward to that show. People are coming as far as Europe and Australia to the show."

One Independence Day, he watched fireworks explode at a free, outdoor concert in Fairmont, W.V.

"It's the city celebration like people have all over the country on the Fourth of July. I play a lot of those types of festival, fairs, venues. I play all different shapes and sizes."

There was a time when he had a south-paw catcher's dream of a professional baseball career. He attended Georgetown College on a baseball scholarship. As a boy, he sought Cincinnati Reds baseball cards. Johnny Bench and Pete Rose were idols.

"I just loved the sport and loved to play. I just grew up doing it," Cyrus said.

Deep inside his country-Kentucky-boy bones, he knew music was his path.

"That was my purpose in life and through the music to touch people's lives."

He learned first-hand at his father's knee. Ron Cyrus, a Kentucky legislator, had a gospel group, the Crownsmen Quartet.

"All my family play music by ear," the younger Cyrus said. "It was just something I was born with, the ability to just hear music. I write what I feel and sing what I'm living, what's real and try to be honest with the music."

Ron was a steel-working man.

"At Armco Steel in Kentucky on the Ohio River," said his son. "He worked his way through school and became an advocate for the workingman and working people and tried to make life a little bit better for those working folks and those rights."

The workingman spokesman's message was clear to his children.

"Use the gifts that God has given me as a musician, as a singer/songwriter," Cyrus said.

The father of six passes on his sire's words of wisdom to his brood.

"Be positive. Follow your dreams. Try to make the world a better place. Believe in yourself and people around you. Look for the light."

Through life's peaks and valleys, Cyrus's faith sustains him.

"What you think in your mind and heart, that will manifest and grow in your life."

His other passion is acting.

"I looked at people like Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton and how broad their careers were. I wanted to have a career like that."

At Sunday's concert with Sly Dog, he wants fans to sing, dance and be happy.

"That's what this is all about," Cyrus said. "A lot of fans have been with me this whole journey. The music is a celebration of life and love. Everybody come out and have a good time."

E-mail Robin Caudell at: rcaudell@pressrepublican.com