Billy Ray Cyrus reacted regarding his performance, considered “disastrous”, during a Donald Trump inauguration ball.
Famous country singer and father of Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus attended President Donald Trump’s inaugural festivities on Monday, January 20. However, his performance, disrupted by technical problems, was mocked on social networks by Internet users, who described it as “embarrassing” and “disturbing”.
“I wouldn’t have missed the honor of performing at this event whether my mic, guitar and monitors worked or not. I was there because President Donald J. Trump invited me. I had a great time at the Liberty Ball last night and I’ve learned over the years that when the producer says, “You’re here,” you’re going to entertain people even if the equipment breaks. I was there for the people and we had a great time. It’s what we call rock’n’roll!” he explained to People.
During his performance, Billy Ray Cyrus first performed his vocal part of “Old Town Road,” his duet with Lil Nas X, while following a video of the rapper playing on the screen. However, he then proceeded to repeat the lyrics of the song in a monotone voice, asking the audience to sing along with him, while wandering around the stage without a soundtrack. As he prepared to perform his famous hit “Achy Breaky Heart,” released in 1992, new technical problems appeared with his guitar and microphone.
Carrie Underwood also facing technical problems
At one point, no longer able to hear his guitar, the artist asked: “Is my guitar on?” before joking: “I think they cut me off. I can’t hear my guitar anymore. Raising his guitar in the air, he called out to the technicians backstage: “Check! Is anyone awake? Do you want me to sing more or do you want me to get off stage?”
-Eventually, a technician intervened to resolve the problem, and performance was able to resume. “In life, when you encounter technical difficulties, you just have to keep going, or as President Trump would say, ‘you have to fight,’” he told the audience.
Earlier in the day, during the inauguration ceremony, singer Carrie Underwood had to perform “America the Beautiful” a capella, due to a breakdown in the sound system. She then encouraged the audience to sing along, saying: “If you know the words, help me.”
Among the artists present at the inauguration events were Kid Rock, the Village People, Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, Parker McCollum, Gavin DeGraw, and singer Christopher Macchio.
