Billy Ray Cyrus Joins Son Braison on Stage for His Grand Ole Opry Debut: 'Never Been More Proud' (Exclusive)

Billy Ray Cyrus is supporting his son, Braison, as he follows in his musical footsteps.

Braison made his performance debut at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on July 6, and the 30-year-old musician was joined by his 62-year-old country star father, who feels "proud" to sing alongside his son.

"Talk about a full-circle moment. Literally standing in the sacred circle with my son Braison Chance Cyrus by my side," Billy Ray tells PEOPLE in a statement. "I have never been more proud."

His son, whose debut album Javelina was released in 2021, was equally touched by the moment. "It was an honor performing with my dad at such a legendary venue," says Braison, who recently revealed via Instagram that he's written a new body of work.

"I love hanging out with my dad, riding dirt bikes and going on walks, but every now and again it’s great to hop on stage with him and do what we are both most passionate about and best at, which is playing music," adds Braison. "Playing on the Opry stage is surreal, especially getting to do it with my dad."

The pair performed alongside band members who've been working with Billy Ray for three decades, including drummer Eddie Bayers, who played on the recording of his 1994 single "Storm in the Heartland."

"Eddie tragically lost his son in a motorcycle accident while we were making all that music. The fact we opened with 'Storm In The Heartland,' and there I stood with my son, it too was a full-circle moment," Billy Ray says.

"I felt [like] Eddie’s boy was in the band. He was in the circle too — along with my dear friend and the man who may have changed my life more than anyone besides my own father, Joe Scaife, legendary producer and the man who first played me a cassette tape of a demo called 'Don’t Tell My Heart,'" adds the "Achy Breaky Heart" singer. "He went to rock 'n' roll heaven last month. Joe produced 'Storm In The Heartland.' They were all there. All the legends!!!"

The July 6 show also marked "the first time" Billy Ray — who is currently going through a contentious divorce with ex Firerose — got the chance to use Porter Wagoner's dressing room at the Grand Ole Opry.

"Porter was the first to really become my true friend from the Opry. Porter gave me the idea to wear those pants I had on," he recalls. "I made him a sparkly fishing vest, and we traded on television. He said, 'Son, look at Dolly [Parton], she never leaves the house without looking like a star.' Haha! True story."

Earlier this month, Braison took to Instagram and wrote a lengthy caption about his upcoming music. "About a month ago, after going through some serious changes and growth in my life, I started writing songs for myself again," he began.

"This new album is for me and is the closest thing I’ve ever done to what I originally set out to do when I decided to make music my life and my career back in 2017," continued Braison.