Billy Ray Cyrus Wants ‘Nashville Stars’ to Keep It Real

Billy Ray Cyrus has another job he can add to his ever-expanding resume: TV host. With two widely successful careers under his belt, both as a singer and actor, he is currently hosting 'Nashville Star,' a job all the more daunting since it is now on network TV for the first time in the show's six-year run. And for Cyrus, it's a perfect fit.

"The fact that it's on NBC this summer, and the slogan with NBC is 'It's all about the music,' that's what turned me on. That's what I've always been about," Cyrus told The Boot backstage at Nashville's Roy Acuff Theater, where the reality talent show is being filmed.

Cyrus' decision to host the show was also fueled by emotions. He knows what it's like to pursue a passion, which is why he felt so drawn to the competition.

"It's all about dreams. Every autograph I sign, I sign 'May all your dreams come true.' I'm looking at these kids, and I see the dreams in their eyes, I see the fire burning, the desire to make this happen," Cyrus says of the 11 remaining contestants. "I see a lot of myself in their eyes, as a young kid, always knowing that when you get knocked down, you get back up. It's about building character and coming out of it a better singer, songwriter, musician."

While his role as a host may be more to encourage than critique, Cyrus does have some strong feelings on what it takes to be a 'Star.'

"I think the best way to do this is to be real. If you don't write songs, don't try to write one and go out there and sing a bad one. Let someone like Jeffrey Steele or John Rich or Jewel write a great song . . . I think it's more about the delivery and how you interpret that. 'Nashville Star' is looking for an original, American artist to emerge from this competition. The bar's been raised."

It seems like Cyrus takes his own advice. When we asked what he will contribute to the show, he had a very simple answer.

"All I can be is the real me," says the humble entertainer. "I already decided, and NBC has told me, they don't want me to try and be somebody I'm not. Just go out there and be real, and that's what I'm going to try and do, and we'll see how it goes."

Cyrus is also busy recording his new album, 'Back To Tennessee,' as well as acting in the much-publicized 'Hannah Montana' movie, starring his superstar daughter, Miley Cyrus. You can watch him host ''Nashville Star' Monday nights on NBC at 9 PM ET.