Billy Ray Cyrus Defends Shaky Performance at Trump’s Liberty Ball

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Country music star Billy Ray Cyrus addressed concerns about his shaky performance at the Liberty Ball on Monday, attributing the mishap to technical difficulties and calling it part of the “rock ‘n’ roll” experience. The 63-year-old musician performed hits like “Old Town Road” and “Achy Breaky Heart” during the event celebrating President Donald Trump‘s inauguration.

During his set, Cyrus encountered issues with his guitar and microphone, prompting him to ask the audience, “Check? Is anybody awake? Y’all want me to sing more, or you want me to just get the hell off the stage?” Despite the challenges, he continued his performance, singing “Achy Breaky Heart” a cappella while engaging with the crowd.

“In life, when you have technical difficulties, you just gotta keep going, or as President Trump would say, ‘You gotta fight,'” Cyrus said as a backstage aide attempted to resolve the issue. The moment quickly became a topic of discussion on social media, with some calling it “possibly the cringiest few minutes in entertainment history.”

In a statement to People magazine on Tuesday, Cyrus defended his performance, saying, “I wouldn’t have missed the honor of playing this event whether my microphone, guitar, and monitors worked or not. I was there because President Donald J. Trump invited me. I had a ball at the Liberty Ball last night, and I’ve learned through all these years when the producer says, ‘You’re on,’ you go entertain the folks even if the equipment goes to hell.”

Cyrus wasn’t the only artist to face technical issues during the inauguration festivities. Country star Carrie Underwood also experienced problems during her performance of “America the Beautiful” at the swearing-in ceremony. After the instrumental track failed to play, Underwood opted to sing the song a cappella, earning applause from the crowd.

Despite the setbacks, both artists remained committed to their performances, showcasing their professionalism and dedication to entertaining the audience. The events highlighted the unpredictable nature of live performances, even at high-profile political gatherings.