Photo: Getty Images
Billy Ray Cyrus posted a statement on Tuesday (January 21) pointing out technical issues during his performance at the Liberty Ball on President Donald Trump’s Inauguration Day on Monday (January 20).
Cyrus, 63, performed “Old Town Road,” his 2019 collaboration with Lil Nas X, though his vocals and guitar were not audible as the music video played on a screen behind him. Between “Old Town Road” and an a cappella rendition of “Achy Breaky Heart,” Cyrus said, “I think they cut me off. …Is anybody awake? I don’t hear it. Do y’all hear this? Where’s everybody at? Check. Is anyone back there?” The performance led to a rise of social media comments, including those calling it “heartbreaking,” “an epic disaster,” “cringe-worthy” and “legitimately concerning.”
Still, Cyrus said he “wouldn’t have missed” the performance, despite technical issues.
“I wouldn’t have missed the honor of playing this event whether my microphone, guitar and monitors worked or not,” he said in a statement as he shared a performance photo on Instagram on Tuesday. “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. I was there for the people and we had a blast. That’s called rock n roll!!!”
Cyrus also noted fellow country star Carrie Underwood’s technical difficulties during the Inauguration ceremony. Underwood ended up performing “America the Beautiful” a cappella, and invited others to sing along.
“I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event. I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future,” Underwood previously said in a statement. Some have noted that until her Inauguration Day performance, Underwood has opted to “stay far out of politics,” she said in a 2019 interview with The Guardian. Underwood said at that time: “I feel like more people try to pin me places politically. I try to stay far out of politics if possible, at least in public, because nobody wins. It’s crazy. Everybody tries to sum everything up and put a bow on it, like it’s black and white. And it’s not like that.”
Other artists who performed at Inauguration events include Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts and more. Watch Cyrus' performance via PBS below.