5 Shocking Revelations About Billy Ray Cyrus' 'Disastrous' Inauguration Performance
For a performance that lasted mere minutes, Billy Ray Cyrus’s appearance at the 2017 Presidential Inauguration Liberty Ball remains one of the most talked-about and scrutinized moments in the history of inaugural entertainment. As of late 2025, the country music star's shaky, technical-difficulties-plagued set continues to resurface in conversations about celebrity political alignment and high-pressure live events, largely due to its chaotic nature and Cyrus’s subsequent defenses. This article dives deep into the true story of the event, the aftermath, and the persistent, strange rumors surrounding his setlist.
The event, which took place on January 20, 2017, was intended to be a celebratory moment, but quickly devolved into what many media outlets dubbed an "epic disaster." Cyrus, best known for his 90s mega-hit, found himself at the center of a political and technical storm, forced to improvise in front of a national audience. The performance, and the controversy it created, offers a unique look into the intersection of celebrity, politics, and the unpredictable nature of live music.
Billy Ray Cyrus: Biographical Profile
William Ray Cyrus is an American singer, songwriter, and actor whose career spans over three decades, making him a major entity in country music and pop culture.
- Full Name: William Ray Cyrus
- Born: August 25, 1961
- Birthplace: Flatwoods, Kentucky, U.S.
- Age (as of late 2025): 64 years old
- Primary Professions: Country Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Producer
- Breakthrough Hit: "Achy Breaky Heart" (1992)
- Major Collaborations: Lil Nas X ("Old Town Road" Remix), Dolly Parton
- Noteworthy Acting Roles: Dr. Clint Cassidy in Doc, Robby Ray Stewart in Disney Channel's Hannah Montana (alongside his daughter, Miley Cyrus)
- Political Affiliation: Generally private, but his performance at the inauguration ball was seen as an endorsement of the administration.
The Chaos of the Liberty Ball: Technical Meltdown and Backlash
The core of the controversy surrounding Billy Ray Cyrus’s inauguration performance stems from the severe technical difficulties that plagued his set at the Liberty Ball, one of the three official inaugural balls in Washington, D.C.
The event was part of the celebrations for the inauguration of President Donald Trump. While many A-list musicians declined to perform, Cyrus was among the notable artists who accepted the invitation, alongside acts like Kid Rock and The Village People.
The 'Epic Disaster' Unfolds
When Cyrus took the stage on January 20, 2017, the sound system reportedly failed almost immediately. The technical issues were so significant that the country star was unable to perform his signature hits with proper amplification or backing tracks.
Witnesses and viewers online described the performance as "bizarre" and "shaky." In a moment of desperation and improvisation, Cyrus attempted to salvage the set by singing his iconic song, "Achy Breaky Heart," largely a cappella.
This decision, while demonstrating his commitment to the audience, was widely criticized. Videos of the performance went viral, with many commentators focusing on the awkwardness of the moment rather than the underlying technical failure. The event quickly became a symbol of the challenges faced in securing high-profile entertainment for the controversial inauguration.
Cyrus’s Defense: 'You Just Had to Be There'
In the aftermath of the intense media scrutiny and social media backlash, Billy Ray Cyrus addressed the performance. He defended his appearance and his decision to continue despite the sound issues.
His primary defense was that the technical difficulties were out of his control and that the atmosphere in the room was more positive than the media portrayed. The artist was quoted as saying "you just had to be there" to truly understand the spirit of the event.
The controversy extended beyond the stage, as many fans, particularly those of his daughter Miley Cyrus—a known political activist—expressed disappointment and concern over his decision to perform. This created a public rift, highlighting the often-stark political divisions within the entertainment industry and even within the Cyrus family.
The Persistent 'Old Town Road' Inauguration Mystery
One of the strangest and most enduring pieces of misinformation surrounding the performance is the claim that Billy Ray Cyrus performed the hit song "Old Town Road" at the 2017 inauguration. This claim is chronologically impossible, yet it continues to be repeated in various online discussions and even some recent media reports.
Solving the Timeline Contradiction
The contradiction is clear:
- The Inauguration Performance: January 20, 2017.
- The Release of "Old Town Road" (Remix with Billy Ray Cyrus): April 2019.
The song that catapulted Cyrus back into the global spotlight was released more than two years *after* the inauguration ceremony. Therefore, he could not have performed it.
The Probable Source of the Confusion
The most likely explanation for this persistent rumor is a conflation of two separate, high-profile events:
- The infamous 2017 Liberty Ball performance, which featured "Achy Breaky Heart" and technical issues.
- A later political rally or event featuring the same political figure, which Cyrus may have attended or where he may have performed "Old Town Road" after its massive success in 2019.
Some sources also suggest that a video of the "Old Town Road" remix was played at the ball, with Cyrus on stage, but this is also impossible given the 2017 date. The most plausible scenario is that recent articles, looking back on his career, mistakenly combined his two most viral moments of the past decade: the "disastrous" inauguration performance and the "Old Town Road" phenomenon.
Legacy and Topical Authority: The Impact on Cyrus’s Career
The decision to perform at the inauguration, and the subsequent "disaster," had a lasting impact on Billy Ray Cyrus’s public image and career narrative. It cemented his political association at a time when many artists were actively avoiding it, leading to a degree of alienation from some segments of the music industry and fan base.
However, the event also highlighted several key entities and themes:
- The Power of Viral Moments: The technical failure and the a cappella rendition of "Achy Breaky Heart" created a viral moment that, for better or worse, kept him in the news cycle.
- The Cyrus Family Dynamic: The performance drew intense public focus on the differing political views between Billy Ray and his daughter, Miley Cyrus, a topic that continues to generate media interest.
- The Comeback Narrative: The narrative of the "inauguration disaster" was completely overshadowed two years later by the unprecedented success of the "Old Town Road" remix. This unexpected career resurgence proved that even an "epic disaster" can be overcome by a cultural phenomenon.
Ultimately, the Billy Ray Cyrus inauguration performance serves as a fascinating case study in celebrity risk-taking, the perils of live events, and how a single, chaotic moment can be forever etched into the public memory, often with the facts—like the impossible "Old Town Road" claim—being distorted over time. He stood by his decision, stating he "wouldn't have missed" the opportunity to be there, solidifying his place as one of the few country stars to brave the controversial stage.
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