Wade Coggeshall
Don't tell Jonna Booe "Achy Breaky Heart" is a thing of the past.The Veedersburg woman is a lifetime member of the Billy Ray Cyrus Fan Club, joining in July 1992. She has two friends that work in the fan club, one a coordinator, the other the vice president. And she's close with Cyrus and his family."He's such a kind and generous person," Booe said. "And he's so talented and goes out of his way for his fans, always signing autographs after his shows."It all started on July 3, 1992, at Crawfordsville, when Booe attended a Cyrus show at the now-defunct Midwest Country Music Hall. She was so impressed with him and his band that she started attending his concerts when he played in surrounding states and beyond. She eventually met him in December 1992 at Peoria, Ill."I've followed him from Milwaukee all the way to Plant City, Fla.," Booe said. "I used to make my schedule to fit his tours."Billy Ray's concerts are so good," she continued. "He attracts all kinds of age groups to his shows. Everyone from age 2 to 80."One song in particular in Cyrus' discography stands out for Booe when performed live." 'Some Gave All' is such an awesome song in concert," she said. "In his earlier concerts he had a big American Flag covering the back of the stage. But after a couple years he took it down because it was starting to get worn. But after Sept. 11 he brought it back. It just has so much more meaning now."In recent years Cyrus has made the jump to acting, making his debut in David Lynch's 2001 feature film, "Mulholland Drive." He also starred in an action movie called "Radical Jack." He's now the star of a TV show, "Doc," at 8 p.m. EST Sundays on PAX."Billy Ray is a lot like his TV character," Booe said. "I think that's what makes acting so enjoyable for him."Booe may not know where Cyrus gets his acting chops, but she has a good idea where his musical talent originated."His entire family grew up on gospel music (at Flatwood, Ky.)" Booe said. "It's a very music-oriented family." She has seen Cyrus duet on gospel songs with his father, Ron Cyrus, a former Kentucky senator. "Many of us in the fan club keep telling him he should do a gospel album with his father," Booe said.It's not just Billy Ray Cyrus himself that keeps Booe in the fan club. She has also made many friends through the organization."I've made friends from all over," Booe said. "I've met people from Australia, England and Canada. Several in the club follow him everywhere on tour. It's hard to explain the bond I share with other fans. But it's like my extended family."Cyrus has a new album out, "Time Flies," and a new single, "What Else Is There?," on the radio. He will be on tour through the end of the month before returning to Toronto, where "Doc" is filmed, to begin work on new episodes.Info Box:Name: Jonna BooeBirthdate/place: Oct. 14 at ClintonFamily: One daughter, Natalie, and one son, J.T.Education: Clinton High SchoolOccupation: Owns and operates a greenhouseLast book read: Gardening booksFavorite TV show: "Doc"Last movie seen: "Radical Jack"Hobbies: Gardening, horses, photography, crafts, oil painting, musicPet peeve: "People that make life harder than it has to be"Memberships: Billy Ray Cyrus Fan Club
