When I try to remember the 1990s, I draw a major blank. Can I have forgotten a whole decade? Then it began to slowly come back to me because of three names...Billy...Ray...Cyrus! Yep, Mr. Achy Breaky Heart himself had a monster hit with that song and never got to the number 1 chart spot again. That shaggy mullet, those sensuous eyes, and his sizzling achy breaky dance moves made him a country music heartthrob that ladies fawned and swarmed over. There were other one hit wonders of the 90s as well. Their top tunes merit more love in 2025. So let's dust off the magic carpet and go back in time to the era that gave us Kevin Sharp, Billy Ray Cyrus, Bob Carlisle, and Rhett Akins.
Videos by Wide Open Country
'Nobody Knows' By Kevin Sharp
Per American Songwriter, "This single from Kevin Sharp was released in 1996, though it was actually a cover of a Tony Rich song." Sharp had a run of tragic bad luck after that. He was shown to the door by Asylum Records and dealt with ill health as well. He passed away at age 43 in 2014.
'Achy Breaky Heart' By Billy Ray Cyrus
He is now almost better known as Miley (Hannah Montana) Cyrus's daddy and Elizabeth Hurley's new guy. But back in the 1990s, Cyrus didn't need anyone else to help define him. He was the hottest thing around. In 1992, this track was a mammoth blockbuster from his album, Some Gave All. It would be hard to recreate that kind of monumental cultural sensation for any artist. Cyrus made the absolute most of it while it lasted. And so did we.
'Butterfly Kisses' By Bob Carlisle
This 1997 song was co-written by Carlisle and appeared on his album, Butterfly Kisses (Shades of Grace). The paternally tender tune was penned in honor of Carlisle's daughter's 16th birthday. It earned a Grammy in the Best Country Song category and went to the coveted number 1 slot on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
'Don't Get Me Started' By Rhett Akins
Per the outlet, "...'Don't Get Me Started' from 1996 was [Akins'] only no. 1 hit to date. And it spent a whopping 21 weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart." Quite an achievement. Now 55, he is the dad of Thomas Rhett. I guess enormous singing talent runs in the family!
