Billy Ray Cyrus’s performance at the Liberty Inaugural Ball for President Donald Trump faced technical failures, leading to a significant disruption. His guitar malfunctioned during “Old Town Road,” causing him to resort to an a cappella rendition of “Achy Breaky Heart,” leaving many to question how it could get any worse from there.
Technical Difficulties Strike
During President Donald Trump’s Liberty Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C., Billy Ray Cyrus encountered a technical issue. While performing alongside Lil Nas X for “Old Town Road,” Cyrus’s guitar suddenly failed. Despite attempts by the technical team to rectify the issue, the problem persisted, causing further disruption in his performance.
Billy Ray quickly articulated his frustration to the audience, posing the question, “Is my guitar still on? I think they cut me off. I don’t hear my guitar anymore.” This unexpected interruption forced Cyrus to pivot from his planned setlist.
A Cappella Amidst Challenges
With continued technical difficulties, Cyrus made a decision to press on. He declared the guitar “dead” and moved to perform his classic hit “Achy Breaky Heart” without instrumental backing. The audience attempted to support the performance with an awkward finger-snapping accompaniment, yet the atmosphere was far from the dynamic experience initially intended.
“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.” This candid moment during the ordeal further punctuated the sense of frustration and desperation Cyrus felt as he faced the technical breakdown.
Aftermath and Backlash
After completing his a cappella performance, Billy Ray Cyrus remained awkwardly on stage before being subtly escorted away. This event sparked social media uproar, with many fans expressing their displeasure and labeling the situation an “epic disaster.” Questions arose about Cyrus’s overall condition and the performance set-up.
The mishap mirrored an earlier technical blunder involving Carrie Underwood during the inauguration ceremonies. Despite these hiccups, other performances at the inaugural event by artists such as the Village People, Kid Rock, and Jason Aldean proceeded without issue.
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Billy Ray Cyrus on Technical Error-Filled Inauguration Show: ‘That’s Called Rock & Roll’