Billy Ray Cyrus reacts to Trump inauguration performance after backlash: Went to ‘hell’
Achy breaky guitar.
Billy Ray Cyrus has spoken out about his panned performance at one of Donald Trump’s inaugural balls on Monday, saying his equipment went “to hell.”
The “I’m So Miserable” singer, 63, had an onstage debacle after suffering several technical issues during his set at Trump’s Liberty Inaugural Ball in Washington, DC. The plagued performance was pilloried on social media and dubbed an “epic disaster.”
Billy Ray Cyrus suffered technical difficulties as he performed at the Liberty Ball on Monday.Getty Images
Despite the criticism and the technical difficulties, Cyrus struck an upbeat tone on Tuesday, saying he “had a ball.”
“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,” Cyrus captioned an Instagram post on Tuesday.
“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 was one of the performers at the ball celebrating Trump’s inauguration.Getty Images
Cyrus added, “I was there for the people and we had a blast. That’s called rock n roll!!!”
Cyrus’ performance hit its first speed bump when he started singing his and Lil Nas X’s hit “Old Town Road,” complaining to the Liberty Ball’s stage crew his guitar wasn’t working.
“Is my guitar still on? I think they cut me off. I don’t hear my guitar anymore,” he said into the mike.
“I was there for the people and we had a blast. That’s called rock n roll!!!” Cyrus said.Getty Images
Cyrus had difficulty with his guitar.REUTERS
“Check. Is anybody awake? I don’t hear it. Do y’all hear this? Where’s everybody at?” he continued. “Check. Is anyone back there? Can someone turn my guitar back on? We’re gonna sing a little bit more.”
Cyrus became increasingly agitated, saying, “Y’all want me to sing more or you just want me to get the hell off the stage? I don’t give a damn.”
“In life, when you have technical difficulties, you just gotta keep going, or as President Trump would say, ‘You gotta fight,’” he added.
“Y’all want me to sing more or you just want me to get the hell off the stage? I don’t give a damn.” Cyrus said at one point.Getty Images
“In life, when you have technical difficulties, you just gotta keep going, or as President Trump would say, ‘You gotta fight,’” he added.AP
A technician eventually came out onstage and attempted to fix the guitar but to no avail. Cyrus told the crew member the instrument was “dead” before he gave up, handed him the guitar and told the crowd to “just snap your fingers.”
The Grammy winner then sang an a cappella version of “Achy Breaky Heart” accompanied by the audience as people snapped along to the tune.
The awkwardness didn’t end there, however. Cyrus didn’t immediately exit the stage when he ended his set and the lights went down. Instead, he wandered waywardly around before someone escorted him away.
A technician eventually came out onstage and attempted to fix Cyrus’ guitar but to no avail.AP
Social media quickly lit up as commenters blasted the incident.
“Oh my god! Billy Ray Cyrus’ performance at Donald Trump’s inaugural Liberty Ball is an epic disaster,” one person wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“It seems that Billy Ray Cyrus had a LOT more than just TECHNICAL ISSUES going on at the Liberty Ball just now,” someone else said.
“So embarrassed for Billy Ray Cyrus right now…” another person commented.
Cyrus’ struggle with technical difficulties came after Carrie Underwood faced her own audio issues earlier in the day as she attempted to sing “America the Beautiful” during Trump’s inauguration at the US Capitol.
The “American Idol” winner was also forced to sing a cappella after an issue occurred with her backing track.
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