Billy Ray Cyrus had an unexpected flop at the Liberty Ball on January 20 while performing for President Donald Trump’s inauguration celebration. He started his set with fan favorites like “Old Town Road,” but things quickly went off track when his guitar and microphone stopped working – in addition to sounding like he simply just couldn’t carry a tune.
With Carrie Underwood also experiencing technical trouble earlier during the inauguration, it seemed the night had its fair share of glitches. Cyrus did not let this hold him back as he tried to keep the crowd engaged with an acapella rendition of “Achy Breaky Heart” while snapping his fingers to keep the rhythm.
Billy Ray Cyrus says performing at the ball was “an honor” despite tech and voice issues
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Despite the technical hiccups and ensuing embarrassment online, Cyrus considered the night a success. He was thrilled to be part of the event and saw it as an honor to perform, though under less-than-ideal circumstances. Unlike critics, his focus was less on the malfunctioning equipment and more on celebrating the moment.
The 63-year-old said he still would have performed even if there was no working mic or guitar. He leaned into his years of experience, proving that the essence of live music is about rolling with the punches and keeping the energy alive.
Reactions to Billy Ray Cyrus’ inaugural ball performance
The internet had a lot to say about Cyrus’ performance, with critics taking to social media to share their thoughts. One X user called it “possibly the cringiest few minutes in entertainment history,” while another joked that Cyrus should have kept people wondering if he still had talent instead of removing all doubt.
Some comments zeroed in even further, calling Cyrus‘ attempt the most painful thing they have ever had to endure in life. “And I once broke both my legs,” they emphasized. Thankfully, Cyrus‘ supporter came to his defense, noting that the blame is being misdirected as the issue was purely from subpar equipment.