Billy Ray Cyrus took the stage at the Liberty Ball on Monday, part of the celebrations for Donald Trump’s inauguration, but his performance didn’t go entirely as planned. Despite guitar issues and a rocky start, the 63-year-old musician persevered, ultimately delivering a spirited a cappella rendition of his classic hit, Achy Breaky Heart.
The Mishap
Cyrus began with Old Town Road, his chart-topping collaboration with Lil Nas X, but encountered technical difficulties when his guitar appeared to be unconnected.
After a shaky delivery, he paused to joke, “Y’all want me to sing more, or you want me to just get the hell off the stage?”
As an aide attempted to fix the problem, Cyrus quipped, “In life, when you have technical difficulties, you just gotta keep going, or as President Trump would say, ‘You gotta fight.'”
When the issue persisted, he shifted gears, performing Achy Breaky Heart a cappella, snapping his fingers to engage the crowd.
Audience Reactions
Social media reactions were mixed, with some fans calling the moment “cringeworthy” and others labeling it “a crime.”
Cyrus, however, remained unfazed, telling People magazine:
“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… That’s called rock ’n’ roll!”
Cyrus’ Resilience
The country star’s ability to roll with the punches reflects his veteran status in the music industry. While the Liberty Ball moment drew criticism, Cyrus embraced the unpredictability of live performances and focused on entertaining the crowd.
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