SOME years ago, while I was presenting a country show for Metro Radio, that I was talking to Johnny Larkin, who ran the local JL Entertainments Agency.

He waxed lyrical about an artist he had seen in the US, who he reckoned was going to be the next big country superstar because his act was accompanied by “line dancing”.

As a result I was introduced to Billy Ray Cyrus and the song Achy Breaky Heart.

In later years Cyrus confessed that he was not particularly fond of the worldwide hit song that really launched his career. For him, it was a novelty song.

Novelty or not, it leads the track listing for his latest offering, His Definitive Collection, treats the listener to a mixed bag of emotions over 40 tracks.

While making 13 studio albums, Cyrus has steadfastly refused to be restrained by the Nashville Music Row rulebook, recording music on his own terms, which at one time led to him being shunned by country radio.

This collection of songs documents many of the changes he made along the way and gives an insight into the world of an artist who has proved that talent abounds above and behind a “one hit wonder”.

If you have any doubt in your mind, this album will prove it “definitively”.