Billy Ray Cyrus addresses awkward Trump inauguration performance, says equipment went 'to hell'

For Billy Ray Cyrus, the show must go on — achy breaky music equipment and all.

A day after his performance at President Donald Trump's inaugural Liberty Ball went off the rails — with the country music star battling technical difficulties, a hoarse voice, and at times awkward onstage behavior — Cyrus addressed what happened in an Instagram post.

"I wouldn't have missed the honor of playing this event whether my microphone, guitar and monitors worked or not," Cyrus wrote Tuesday alongside a photo of him performing. "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."

He added, "I was there for the people and we had a blast. That's called rock n roll!"

Related: Billy Ray Cyrus wanders stage aimlessly after baffling Liberty Inaugural Ball performance: 'Is anybody awake?'

Cyrus' comments echoed sentiments he expressed Monday in a separate Instagram post about the performance featuring photos of himself onstage and with Trump.

"Honored to kick off the Liberty Ball at the request of our 47th President and Commander-in-Chief," he captioned the post. Seemingly alluding to the technical difficulties, he added, "When you get knocked down, you get back up. You fight and persevere." Ironically, over the weekend, Cyrus shared on social media that a sound check for the event performance "went GREATTT!"

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

Cyrus wasn't the only one to encounter technical snafus Monday. Fellow country artist Carrie Underwood was forced to sing "America the Beautiful" a cappella when only a small part of the song's introductory notes played before abruptly stopping, leaving the American Idol alum standing in front of a confused crowd.

After more than a minute of silence, the singer mouthed to a man in a headset, "I'll just sing it." She then spoke to the crowd, telling attendees, "If you know the words, help me out here."

Related: Carrie Underwood forced to sing without music after glitch at Trump inauguration

In addition to Cyrus and Underwood, other musicians who performed at various inauguration events over the long weekend included Christopher Macchio, Lee Greenwood, Kid Rock, the Village People, and Liberty University's Praise Choir.

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly