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Baxter Neal Helson is an American drummer born December 21, 1966, in Ashland, Kentucky. He’s known as Tish Cyrus’s first husband and the biological father of Brandi and Trace Cyrus, both adopted by Billy Ray Cyrus in 1993.
Baxter Neal Helson is a professional drummer from Kentucky who gained public attention through his marriage to Tish Cyrus, now known as Tish Cyrus-Purcell. Before the Cyrus name became synonymous with pop culture fame, Baxter was building a modest career in the local music scene of Ashland, Kentucky.
Born in December 1966, Baxter developed an interest in music early. He focused on drums and spent his late teens and early twenties performing with local bands. While he never achieved mainstream recognition, he earned respect within Kentucky’s regional music circuits. He played at bars, private events, and small venues where his technical skill and consistent rhythm made him a reliable choice for various musical projects.
His connection to one of America’s most famous families came through his brief marriage to Leticia “Tish” Finley in 1986. This union produced two children—Brandi and Trace—before ending in divorce three years later. Both children would eventually pursue entertainment careers, though under the Cyrus surname after Billy Ray Cyrus adopted them.
Details about Baxter Neal Helson’s childhood remain limited. He grew up in Ashland, Kentucky, a small city in Boyd County near the West Virginia border. The region has a history of musical tradition, particularly in country, bluegrass, and rock genres.
Baxter’s family background hasn’t been widely documented, but his early exposure to music shaped his professional path. By his teenage years, he was already learning drums and practicing regularly. This dedication led to opportunities to perform with local bands throughout the 1980s.
The Ashland music scene during this period consisted mainly of cover bands, bar gigs, and occasional original projects. Musicians like Baxter often worked regular day jobs while playing shows on weekends. He became known among local musicians for his ability to keep steady time and adapt to different musical styles—skills that made him valuable to multiple bands.
Unlike drummers who pursued recording contracts or national tours, Baxter seemed content with regional work. He performed at venues throughout eastern Kentucky and possibly parts of neighboring states. This career path kept him grounded in his community but also meant limited income and exposure.
Baxter met Tish Finley at a local party when she was 19 years old. Their connection developed quickly, and they married in 1986 when both were in their early twenties. At the time, neither had any connection to the entertainment industry beyond Baxter’s local drumming work.
Their first child, Brandi Glenn Helson, arrived on May 26, 1987. Less than two years later, on February 24, 1989, they welcomed their son, originally named Neil Timothy Helson. He would later be known as Trace Dempsey Cyrus after his adoption.
The marriage faced challenges common to young couples trying to establish careers while raising children. Baxter’s music work likely provided irregular income, and the demands of parenthood at a young age added stress. The relationship deteriorated, and the couple separated sometime in 1989, divorcing the same year.
After the separation, custody arrangements for Brandi and Trace became contentious. The Circuit Court of Boyd County, Kentucky, granted primary custody to Tish on May 22, 1992. Baxter received visitation rights, but maintaining regular contact proved difficult.
Tish had begun a relationship with country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, whom she married on December 28, 1993. The couple had already welcomed their daughter Miley (born November 23, 1992) before their wedding. Billy Ray adopted both Brandi and Trace, and their last names were changed to Cyrus.
A custody dispute in 1998 brought specific details to light. Court documents revealed that Trace, then nine years old, expressed reluctance to visit his biological father. According to the records, Trace stated that Baxter would make negative comments about Tish and her family during visits. The documents also noted that Baxter insisted on calling his son by his birth name “Neil” rather than “Trace,” and had issues with Trace’s longer hairstyle, which he demanded be cut.
The court filings also revealed that Brandi and Trace had spent time living with their maternal grandmother, Loretta Finley, in a house near Tish’s home. This arrangement appears to have provided stability during the family’s transitional period.
These custody battles highlighted the difficulties of co-parenting after divorce, particularly when one parent remarries into fame, and the other maintains a private life. Baxter’s relationship with his children became increasingly strained as they grew up immersed in the Cyrus family’s world.
Following the divorce and custody settlements, Baxter Neal Helson relocated to Phoenix, Arizona. This move marked a clear departure from both his Kentucky roots and any proximity to the Cyrus family’s Tennessee base.
Little concrete information exists about Baxter’s life in Phoenix. Reports suggest he continued working in music, possibly performing with local bands or pursuing related business ventures. However, he has maintained complete privacy, avoiding social media, interviews, and public appearances.
As of 2024, Baxter would be 58 years old. His estimated net worth sits around $1.2 million, though this figure cannot be verified without access to his personal financial records. This wealth likely comes from a combination of his drumming career, possible business investments, and potentially from his divorce settlement, though the terms of that settlement have never been made public.
Unlike many people connected to celebrity families, Baxter has never attempted to leverage his association with the Cyrus name. He hasn’t written a book, given interviews, or made appearances at events. This choice reflects either a desire for genuine privacy or possibly a legal agreement related to his divorce and the adoption of his children.
Both of Baxter’s biological children have pursued careers in entertainment, though they’re known exclusively as Cyrus family members.
Brandi Cyrus, born Brandi Glenn Helson, has built a career as a DJ, actress, and podcast host. She co-hosted the Bravo reality show “Cyrus vs. Cyrus: Design and Conquer” with her mother, Tish. She also co-hosts the popular podcast “Your Favorite Thing” with Wells Adams. Brandi has worked as a DJ in Las Vegas and maintained a presence in fashion and entertainment circles.
Trace Cyrus, born Neil Timothy Helson, followed a more direct musical path. He co-founded the band Metro Station in 2006, which achieved significant success with their single “Shake It” in 2008. The song reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. After leaving Metro Station, Trace formed another band called Ashland HIGH before eventually rejoining Metro Station. He has released solo work and continues to perform.
Both siblings have publicly identified Billy Ray Cyrus as their father figure, rarely mentioning Baxter. In January 2025, Trace posted a heartfelt but critical message about Billy Ray on Instagram, expressing disappointment in how their relationship had deteriorated. However, this post did not refer to Baxter, suggesting limited ongoing contact with their biological father.
Neither Brandi nor Trace has spoken extensively about Baxter in interviews. This silence could indicate an estranged relationship, a choice to keep that aspect of their lives private, or simply that Billy Ray has been their primary father figure since childhood.
Baxter Neal Helson’s financial standing is estimated at $1.2 million, though these figures come from entertainment websites rather than verified financial disclosures. This wealth would be modest compared to the Cyrus family’s fortunes but comfortable for someone who primarily worked in regional music scenes.
His income sources likely include:
His musical legacy exists mainly in the memories of those who saw him perform in Kentucky during the 1980s and possibly in Phoenix later. He never recorded with major labels or achieved the kind of recognition that would have documented his work. This makes his actual contributions to music difficult to assess from a historical perspective.
However, the fact that both his children pursued entertainment careers—Trace specifically in music—suggests his early influence. Growing up around a father who valued rhythm and performance may have planted seeds that later flourished, even if Baxter wasn’t present for much of their development.
Baxter’s choice to remain private stands in stark contrast to many who have tangential connections to famous families. Several factors might explain this decision.
First, his personality may simply lean toward privacy. As a drummer, he spent his career in a supporting role, keeping time while others took center stage. This comfort with being in the background could extend to his personal life.
Second, maintaining distance from the Cyrus family’s media circus might be intentional. The constant scrutiny, tabloid coverage, and public drama that surround celebrity families could be something he actively avoids. Choosing privacy over attention allows him to live without judgment or speculation.
Third, his relationship with Brandi and Trace may have influenced his decision. If the relationship is strained or nonexistent, stepping away might feel like the appropriate choice. Alternatively, protecting their privacy and not complicating their public narratives could be an act of respect.
Finally, there may be legal or financial agreements from his divorce that discourage or prevent him from speaking publicly about his marriage or children. While speculative, such arrangements are common in divorces involving parties who later become famous.
Whatever his reasons, Baxter Neal Helson’s story serves as a reminder that not everyone connected to fame seeks it. He built a quiet life making music, raised two children during their early years, and then stepped back when circumstances changed. His absence from the narrative doesn’t diminish his role—it simply reflects a different set of priorities than those who stay in the public eye.
