Her Big Breaky

After Miley Cyrus, 13, landed the lead role of a pop-star high schooler in Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana, dad Billy Ray, 44 (of “Achy Breaky Heart” fame), got cast as her dad on the show. The two—who recently moved to L.A. from Nashville with wife and mom Tish and Miley’s four siblings—discuss the fun of working together with PEOPLE’s Champ Clark.

Miley, how did you get into acting?

Miley: I did three episodes of Doc [Billy Ray’s PAX show, which ran for four years]. Then I got cast in Tim Burton’s Big Fish. Then I got Hannah Montana.

Billy Ray: She’s leagues above me. I feel like I’m watching Lucille Ball.

Miley: I get to do crazy stuff I wouldn’t normally get away with, like pour Chinese food all over him. And when you got that load of cake in the face!

Billy Ray: I see a theme.

Miley: I talk to the writers and make sure he gets hit with something at least twice a week.

Billy Ray, do you miss your mullett since cutting it off in 2004?

Billy Ray: I really do. I recently wrote a song called “I Want My Mullett Back.”

Miley: That beautiful mullett!

What’s the worst part of the job?

Miley: To be honest, it’s the drive to the studio. He talks the entire way—and I just want to listen to my music.

Billy Ray: That’s not true!

The best part?

Billy Ray: I get to see Miley grow as an actress and a human being.

Miley: I hate it when he talks like this.

Billy Ray: She’s kicking me and pinching me under the table right now.