Billy Ray Cyrus rolled with the punches during his performance at President Donald Trump’s inaugural Liberty Ball, despite battling a series of technical difficulties, a hoarse voice, and some awkward moments on stage. The country music star addressed the issues in an Instagram post the following day, reaffirming his commitment to the event and to his fans.
“I wouldn’t have missed the honor of playing this event whether my microphone, guitar, and monitors worked or not,” Cyrus wrote on Tuesday, alongside a photo of himself performing at the ball. “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’ performance on Monday night, meant to kick off the festivities at the Liberty Ball, faced a series of obstacles, including malfunctioning sound equipment and an apparent struggle with his voice. At one point, the singer appeared to wander aimlessly around the stage, a moment that left some in the audience puzzled. Still, Cyrus pushed forward, offering a reminder of his rock ‘n’ roll spirit despite the challenges.
He concluded his Instagram post with an upbeat note: “I was there for the people and we had a blast. That’s called rock n roll!” His message mirrored the resilient attitude he shared earlier in the week about the performance. In a separate Instagram post on Monday, the singer expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to perform at the Liberty Ball, writing, “Honored to kick off the Liberty Ball at the request of our 47th President and Commander-in-Chief.” Cyrus also reflected on the technical glitches, adding, “When you get knocked down, you get back up. You fight and persevere.”
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Ironically, the country star had expressed confidence just days before the event, sharing on social media that the sound check for the performance had “gone GREATTT!” However, once on stage, things didn’t go as smoothly as planned.
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Technical Glitches at the Liberty Ball
Cyrus was not the only performer at the Liberty Ball who had to deal with technical snafus. Country music star Carrie Underwood faced her own challenges during the event when a malfunction caused the introductory notes to her rendition of “America the Beautiful” to abruptly cut off. With the music halted and no immediate resolution in sight, the “American Idol” winner made a quick decision to sing the patriotic song a cappella.
After a minute of silence, Underwood turned to a crew member and quietly mouthed, “I’ll just sing it,” before addressing the crowd. “If you know the words, help me out here,” she told the audience, leading them through a stirring impromptu performance. Her ability to adapt to the situation with grace and professionalism was praised by those in attendance, including many on social media.
A Star-Studded Lineup Despite Glitches
In addition to Cyrus and Underwood, a range of other artists performed at various inauguration events throughout the weekend. Among them were Christopher Macchio, Lee Greenwood, Kid Rock, the Village People, and the Liberty University Praise Choir. Despite the occasional technical hiccups, many of these performances were met with enthusiastic applause from the audience.
For Cyrus, the Liberty Ball marked another chapter in his long career, which has seen both triumphs and challenges. Known for his hit “Achy Breaky Heart” and his more recent collaborations with his daughter Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray has been a fixture in country music for decades. But as he demonstrated on stage Monday night, the show must go on—no matter the circumstances.
Despite the difficulties, the performance appeared to be a success in terms of entertainment. Fans who watched on social media shared their support for the singer’s determination to push through. Some even took to Instagram to comment on how Cyrus, in true rock star fashion, was able to entertain and engage with the crowd despite the obstacles.
For Underwood, the Liberty Ball performance was just the latest in a long line of significant moments in her career. From her breakthrough win on American Idol to her chart-topping hits, Underwood’s ability to perform under pressure has been a hallmark of her career. The impromptu a cappella rendition of “America the Beautiful” only added to her reputation as a consummate professional, able to handle any curveball thrown her way.
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The Enduring Spirit of Country Music
Both Cyrus and Underwood’s performances highlighted the resilience and adaptability of country music stars in the face of adversity. For Cyrus, it was a reminder that the music industry is as much about perseverance and the ability to entertain as it is about technical perfection. The singer’s ability to shrug off equipment failures and focus on entertaining the crowd reinforced the idea that, in the world of live performances, anything can happen.
The evening’s events also underscored the importance of the Liberty Ball as a significant cultural moment, one that brings together a wide range of musical talent to celebrate the inauguration of a new president. Despite the hiccups, both Cyrus and Underwood proved they were up to the challenge, delivering performances that resonated with the audience, even without the help of perfect sound.
As for Cyrus, his post-performance reflection on social media serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his fans. “Rock n roll,” he concluded—reminding everyone that no matter what happens behind the scenes, the show always goes on.
