Billy Ray Cyrus's performance at the Liberty Ball on January 20, 2017, just after President Donald Trump's inauguration, has become the warm subject of both nostalgia and criticism. The 62-year-old country star, famous for his hit "Achy Breaky Heart," faced a barrage of technical challenges during his set, which has led many to label it one of the more memorable—and not always positively so—performances of recent political history.
The event unfolded at the Washington Convention Center, where Cyrus had been invited to perform, among others, during this celebratory gathering. Cyrus reflected on the experience, stating, "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," as reported by People.
Right from the start with his opening song, "Old Town Road," things didn't go as planned. The electric guitar lost sound and the microphone did not pick up his vocals consistently, prompting Cyrus to proclaim on stage, "Is my guitar still on? I think they cut me off. I don’t hear my guitar anymore." This created not only confusion but showcased the spirit of rock and roll as he attempted to salvage the performance.
Despite these significant setbacks, Cyrus maintained positivity throughout the ordeal. He said on Instagram post-performance, "This was the most fun part of the Liberty Ball! And if you didn’t see it… you just had to be there." The sentiment seemed more for his followers rather than directly addressing the performance criticisms.
His determination to press on was evident as he shouted to the audience, "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 humorous desperation provided moments of levity amid the technical turmoil. Fans and critics observed the somewhat disheveled appearance of Cyrus as he wandered around the stage, at one point his silhouette moving awkwardly against the backdrop of failing lights.
Cyrus also voiced his perspective on the challenges he faced, saying, "When you have technical difficulties, you've got to just keep going - or as President Trump would say, you got to fight!" His adaptability drew some applause, but many online commenters were not so forgiving. Observers took to social media, branding his set as "possibly the cringiest few minutes in entertainment history" and described it as "an epic disaster."
This backlash didn’t deter Cyrus, who continued to express pride about performing for Trump supporters. “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… That’s called rock n roll!!!” he asserted.
Cyrus's performance wasn't the only set plagued by technical difficulties on Trump’s big night. Carrie Underwood also struggled with sound issues, leading to another moment of unscripted aspiration where she had to sing without the usual accompaniment. It seemed the production team had their hands full during the momentous occasion.
Despite mixed reactions from the audience and onlookers, which ranged from supportive to downright derisive, Cyrus remained adamant about the joy of entertaining, saying, "I was there for the people and we had a blast." Fans met his sentiments with varying degrees of agreement, with many commenting on X about his less-than-stellar performance.
The Liberty Ball has become more than just another presidential event; it has etched itself as a moment of pop culture fodder, with Cyrus's performance serving as both entertainment and commentary on the challenges of live art. While many may debate the quality of the show, the perseverance and spirit displayed by Cyrus resonate as standout traits defined by the rock and roll ethos.
Balancing the fine line of celebration and scrutiny, Billy Ray Cyrus walked onto the stage amid hopeful expectations and left with headlines largely dominated by critiques, but he certainly has the stories to tell. Reflecting on his experience, he may well say: "I just don’t think you understand." After all, sometimes you just have to be there to appreciate the chaos and the laughter it brings with it.