Billy Ray Cyrus Is No Ryan Seacrest

Billy Ray Cyrus photo courtesy of Walt Disney Records.

May 27, 2008 — After five seasons on cable television, "Nashville Star" shifts to network TV this summer with its June 9 debut on NBC. As a result, cricitcs are already making comparisons between the country competition and "American Idol" — especially since the weekly on-camera crew for each show includes a host and three judges. Billy Ray Cyrus takes the emcee reins for "Nashville Star," but he’s quick to diffuse any thoughts that he might somehow try to emulate "Idol"’s Ryan Seacrest.

"We’re two different animals," Billy Ray told Reality TV World. "He’s a great human being. He’s a fantastic host. I mean, there’s no doubt he’s doing what he was born to do. He’s amazing at it. That show wouldn’t be knocking down the incredible numbers that they’re knocking down without the fact that he was right there in the seat of that thing, from the foundation, doing a great job. He’s a great host. I’m not him, nor will I ever attempt to be."

Billy Ray also has no interest in attempting to critique any of the contestants, in great part because he’s grown sensitive to criticism ever since he took it on the chin from critics with his debut single "Achy Breaky Heart."

"Thank goodness I’m not a judge, because I watched judges and I watched the producers of the show trying to narrow down this list for the finalists," he said. "And quite frankly, it was pretty tough, because the level of competition has risen tremendously — I mean tremendously. This was just an outpouring of great talent."

The role of judge is being left to three well-qualified people with Nashville ties: John Rich, of Big & Rich; Jewel; and songwriter Jeffrey Steele, known as the author of such hits as Rascal Flatts’ "Every Day," Phil Vassar’s "Love Is A Beautiful Thing" and Montgomery Gentry’s "My Town."

The winner of "Nashville Star" will receive a recording contract with Warner Bros. and a national concert tour.