Showbiz

Billy Ray Cyrus says ‘you just had to be there’ after trainwreck outing at Trump inaugural ball

Billy Ray Cyrus says ‘you just had to be there’ after trainwreck outing at Trump inaugural ball

Billy Ray Cyrus said he was not bothered while his outing was plagued by tech mishaps at the Liberty Ball Monday, as he improvised and sang a capella in an effort to salvage the doomed set.

‘This was the most fun part of the Liberty Ball!’ the country singer-songwriter, 62, said on Instagram post Wednesday.

Cyrus’ post was accompanied by a clip of the gravelly-voiced singer performing his trademark hit, 1992’s Achy Breaky Heart, without any backing musicians at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

Cyrus created a social media stir with the performance, which appeared to be plagued with technical difficulties (which also impacted performer Carrie Underwood Monday).

The Flatwoods, Kentucky native said that ‘if you didn’t see it… you just had to be there’ of his outing in honor of President Donald Trump’s inauguration.

He ended his post with a lyric from his early 90s breakout hit, saying, ‘I just don’t think you understand.’   

Billy Ray Cyrus, 62, said he was not bothered during his tech-plagued outing at the Liberty Ball Monday, as he improvised and sang a capella in an effort to salvage the doomed set

Billy Ray Cyrus, 62, said he was not bothered during his tech-plagued outing at the Liberty Ball Monday, as he improvised and sang a capella in an effort to salvage the doomed set

Cyrus said that adapting on the fly made for the 'most fun part' of the event

Cyrus said that adapting on the fly made for the ‘most fun part’ of the event 

He said in a post on the social media site Tuesday: ‘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 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.’

Read More The Cyrus family’s different politics: As it’s revealed Billy Ray will play Trump’s inauguration article image

The musical artist said he ‘was there for the people and we had a blast,’ adding, ‘that’s called rock n roll!!!’

During his outing Monday, Cyrus could be heard discussing technical issues with the stage crew following a performance of the song Old Town Road.

Cyrus was heard saying, ‘Is my guitar still on? I think they cut me off. I don’t hear my guitar anymore.’

Cyrus at one point gestured to his guitar and asked crew members, ‘Is anyone awake?’

He continued, ‘I don’t hear it? Do ya’ll hear it? Is anyone back there? Can somebody turn my guitar back on? We’re going to sing a bit more.’

At one point, a frustrated Cyrus conceded he was losing interest in continuing to perform.

The singer first addressed the outing in a post on the social media site Tuesday

The singer first addressed the outing in a post on the social media site Tuesday

Cyrus' post was accompanied by a clip of the gravelly-voiced singer performing his trademark hit, 1992's Achy Breaky Heart, without any backing musicians at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

Cyrus’ post was accompanied by a clip of the gravelly-voiced singer performing his trademark hit, 1992’s Achy Breaky Heart, without any backing musicians at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

In another awkward sequence, Cyrus' silhouette was seen walking around on the stage while the music played behind him

In another awkward sequence, Cyrus’ silhouette was seen walking around on the stage while the music played behind him 

After a technician fixed Cyrus' guitar, he said, 'When you have technical difficulties you got to just keep going - or as President Trump would say, you got to fight!'

After a technician fixed Cyrus’ guitar, he said, ‘When you have technical difficulties you got to just keep going – or as President Trump would say, you got to fight!’

‘Y’all want me to sing more or you just want me to get the hell of the stage?’ he said. ‘I don’t give a damn.’

After a technician remedied the situation, Cyrus referenced the Commander in Chief, saying, ‘When you have technical difficulties you got to just keep going – or as President Trump would say, you got to fight!’

In another awkward sequence, Cyrus’ silhouette was seen walking around on the stage while the music played behind him. 

‘That is just plain embarrᴀssing,’ one social media user said. ‘What, Milli Vanilli wasn’t available?’

Social media users appeared to be disappointed in the technically-hindered performance in their feedback.

One user called the outing ‘possibly the cringiest few minutes in entertainment history.’

Another said it was ‘so embarrᴀssing’ watching Cyrus was ‘giving a trainwreck performance’ Monday as he was ‘clearly lip-syncing’ and disheveled in appearance.

The user noted that it appeared Cyrus was ‘bizarrely [wandering] around the stage,’ adding, ‘How embarrᴀssing for him.’ 

The Flatwoods, Kentucky native was targeted by social media users over his performance - which itself appeared to be plagued with technical difficulties

The Flatwoods, Kentucky native was targeted by social media users over his performance – which itself appeared to be plagued with technical difficulties 

The nature of criticism at Cyrus for his outing Monday did not appear to be politically-driven, as supporters of the incoming president lobbed insults in his direction

The nature of criticism at Cyrus for his outing Monday did not appear to be politically-driven, as supporters of the incoming president lobbed insults in his direction

One user noted how both Cyrus and Underwood were impacted by glitches

One user noted how both Cyrus and Underwood were impacted by glitches 

Social media users appeared to be disappointed in the technically-hindered performance in their feedback

Social media users appeared to be disappointed in the technically-hindered performance in their feedback 

Another person said the musical artist didn’t seem to understand that wore out his welcome, writing, ‘OMG – Billy Ray Cyrus isn’t leaving.’

The nature of criticism at Cyrus for his outing Monday did not appear to be politically-driven, as supporters of the incoming president lobbed insults in his direction.

‘I’m embarrᴀssed for you @billyraycyrus,’ one user said. ‘This is a disgrace to our President and our country get off [the] stage.’

Another said, ‘I just watched them try to pull him off stage for 5 mins … they even killed the lights on him. Thank you Fox for filming that entire scene. Had me crying.’

Asked one user: ‘Can Trump pardon Billy Ray Cyrus for this performance tonight? Wow.’ 

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