Billy Ray Cyrus Breaks Silence on Trump Inauguration Performance

Following the performance, the “Back to Tennessee” singer attributed the rockiness of the whole performance to equipment issues. But even so, he made it clear that nothing could have stopped him from giving it his all.

"I wouldn’t have missed the honor of playing this event whether my microphone, guitar and monitors worked or not,” Billy wrote in a Jan. 21 Instagram post. “I was there because President Donald J. Trump invited me."

"I had a ball at the Liberty Ball last night,” he continued. “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!!!"

After all, Billy wasn’t the only one to encounter difficulties during his inauguration performance. Carrie Underwood—who performed “America the Beautiful” at the U.S. Capitol—faced similar issues.

The American Idol singer, who was accompanied by the Armed Forces Chorus and the Unites States Naval Academy Glee Club, was met with slight music delays. So, she decided to keep going and sang the tune A Capella.

“If you know the words,” Carrie said to the crowd inside the Capitol Rotunda, “help me out here.”

And, surely, the “Before He Cheats” singer would echo Billy’s sentiments about overcoming the obstacles.

"I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event," she said in a statement to E! News before the ceremony. "I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future."

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