News | Entertainment
8 Feb 2025 18:37
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Billy Ray Cyrus would not have missed the "honour" of playing at Donald Trump's inauguration even if his equipment had totally failed

    The country star, 63, performed at the Liberty Ball on Monday (20.01.25) as part of Trump's swearing-in festivities as he took power once again at the White House


    But after quietly performing his vocal portion of his and Lil Nas X's 2019 hit 'Old Town Road', Billy went on to repeat his lyrics from the song in a monotone voice - and asked the audience to sing with him as he wandered around the stage with no backing track.

    Billy then appeared to be beset with technical issues with his guitar and microphone as he set out to play his breakout 1992 hit 'Achy Breaky Heart' - and while trying to perform the song a cappella, he removed his microphone from its stand and walked around the stage snapping his fingers, speaking the lyrics rather than singing them.

    He asked fans: "Check? Is anybody awake?" - before asking: "Y'all want me to sing more or you want me to just get the hell off the stage?"

    Billy also joked: "In life, when you have technical difficulties, you just gotta keep going, or as President Trump would say, 'You gotta fight.'"

    He has now told People about the shambolic performance: "I wouldn't have missed the honour 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.

    "I was there for the people and we had a blast.

    "That's called rock n roll!!!"

    Fans slammed Billy's performance, with one fan on X branding it an "epic disaster".

    Another X user blasted: "Billy Ray Cyrus' performance is cringe-worthy. Legitimately Concerning."

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     08 Feb: Brian Austin Green doesn't regret "speaking his mind" about Machine Gun Kelly
     08 Feb: Jason Kelce struggles to get his children to try new things
     08 Feb: Khloe Kardashian is "praying" that she finds love again
     08 Feb: Leo Woodall was "so bad" at working in retail
     08 Feb: 'Emilia Perez' director Jacques Audiard has hit out at Karla Sofia Gascon for "playing the victim"
     08 Feb: Drew Barrymore "can't control" how closely she sits next to her talk show guests
     08 Feb: Angelina Jolie has recalled how her mother "embraced" a life of stardom through her
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Defending champion Hamish Elliott has made a strong start to the Coast To Coast multisport event traversing the South Island More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    A construction analyst claims Kainga Ora paid three times the market price for a dozen Canterbury units More...



     Today's News

    Skiing:
    Australia completes remarkable clean sweep of aerials podium at FIS Freestyle World Cup event in Deer Valley 18:17

    Environment:
    Firefighters have contained a grass fire in Hunua, southeast of Auckland 18:07

    Accident and Emergency:
    A person's died on Bay of Plenty's Maketu Beach 18:07

    Cycling:
    Alex Hunt has the lead in the final bike leg of the men's Coast to Coast Longest Day event 17:07

    Entertainment:
    Brian Austin Green doesn't regret "speaking his mind" about Machine Gun Kelly 17:04

    Law and Order:
    The Defence Force's bomb disposal unit was called after a man was found with firearms, ammunition, and an "item of concern" in Hamilton yesterday 16:57

    Entertainment:
    Jason Kelce struggles to get his children to try new things 16:34

    Rugby League:
    Recently retired Warriors captain Tohu Harris has revealed his plans for the upcoming year 16:17

    Golf:
    Tiger Woods will play in next week's Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines on golf's PGA Tour 16:17

    International:
    Alex de Minaur advances to Rotterdam Open semifinals with straight-sets victory 16:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd