Billy Ray Cyrus in 2025.Photo:Joe Raedle/Getty

Billy Ray Cyrus performs during the Liberty Inaugural Ball where President Donald Trump is expected later in the evening on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump attends some of the inaugural balls after taking the oath as the 47th president

Joe Raedle/Getty

Billy Ray Cyrus’inaugurationappearance caused some confusion — and concern.

On Monday, Jan. 20, the country singer, 63, took the stage to perform at the Liberty Ball, part ofPresident Donald Trump’s inaugural festivities.

After quietly performing his vocal portion of his and Lil Nas X’s 2019 hit"Old Town Road"while watching an onscreen video of the rapper, Cyrus went on to repeat his lyrics from the song in a monotone voice, asking the audience to sing with him as he wandered around the stage with no backing track.

Cyrus then appeared to face technical issues with his guitar and microphone as he set out to play his breakout 1992 hit “Achy Breaky Heart.”

While attempting 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.

“Check? Is anybody awake?” Cyrus asked at one point, looking backstage for assistance. “Y’all want me to sing more or you want me to just get the hell off the stage?” the singer quipped, adding: “In life, when you have technical difficulties, you just gotta keep going, or as President Trump would say, ‘You gotta fight.'”

“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,” Cyrus told PEOPLE exclusively in a statement on Jan. 22. “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!!!”

Billy Ray Cyrus in 2025.Joe Raedle/Getty

Billy Ray Cyrus performs during the Liberty Inaugural Ball where President Donald Trump is expected later in the evening on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump attends some of the inaugural balls after taking the oath as the 47th president.

The country star’s appearance at the Liberty Ball had viewers abuzz on social media.

“Sad to see Billy Ray so messed up at the Liberty Ball,“someone wrote on TikTokof the “Achy Breaky Heart” performance.

“Watching Billy Ray Cyrus tonight was heartbreaking,“one person wrote on X, whileanother deemedthe appearance “an epic disaster.”

Another X userexpressed concern, writing: “Billy Ray Cyrus performance is cringe-worthy. Legitimately Concerning.”

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Donald Trump in 2025.Chip Somodevilla/Getty

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Nelly, Jason Aldean, Gavin DeGraw, Lee Greenwood, Kid Rock and theVillage Peoplealso performed throughout the inauguration events.

source: people.com