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BILLY RAY CYRUS isn't letting all the media buzz about daughter MILEY CYRUS get him down, according to JOHN RICH, half of BIG & RICH, who told ET at a press conference for the upcoming season of "Nashville Star":

"I hung out with Billy Ray the other night," Rich said. "He and I went onstage with a band down on Broadway and sang a couple of songs together. He is a real class act."

John and Billy Ray will be working together on "Nashville Star." John as a judge and as the man who will produce the first recording by the winner; and Billy Ray as the host now that the series is moving to NBC.

"He doesn't like people picking on his daughter. Who would?" John continues. "She is an extremely intelligent, gifted young lady. I would advise her to ignore as much as she can. If she gets too upset, go sit down with your guitar and write a song about it. That is the best therapy for me. I am sure it is for her as well."

As of now, there are no plans for Miley to appear as a guest judge or mentor on "Nashville Star," but John is not adverse to the idea.

"I would love to have Miley come by. I would love to sit down and write a song with her," he says.

The new season of "Nashville Star" premieres Monday, June 9 at 9:30 p.m. on NBC.