Billy Ray Cyrus has revealed that his decision to perform for presidents of both political parties is based on a childhood lesson his father gave him about respecting the office.
talking to News from heaven On Tuesday, April 14, the 64-year-old singer explained that even though his father was a lifelong Democrat and served in the Kentucky legislature, he always taught his son that when a president asks you for help, you answer the call.
Cyrus noted that this upbringing has led him to work with a long list of leaders from both sides of the aisle, including Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, George HW and George W. Bush and, most recently, Donald Trump.
The country star, who performed at the Liberty Ball in January 2025 to celebrate Trump’s second inauguration, emphasized that his participation in such events comes from a place of prayer for the country and the world rather than loyalty to the party.
He described being president as a “hard job” and shared that his goal is to find things that bring people together.
While her performance last year made headlines for the wrong reasons due to significant technical difficulties, Cyrus defended her appearance at the time, stating that she wouldn’t have missed out on the honor of playing the event regardless of whether her equipment worked or not.
During that 2025 set, Cyrus faced a series of “epic” breakdowns in which his microphone and guitar frequently cut out, ultimately forcing him to finish with an acoustic, a cappella version of his signature hit. Painful and broken heart.
He famously challenged the crowd during the broadcast, asking if anyone was still awake and if they wanted him to continue singing or just “get off the stage.”
Despite the “disaster” reception on social media, he remained defiant and told his fans that in life you have to move on, or as the president would say, “you have to fight.”
Cyrus was part of a star-studded lineup for the inauguration festivities that included the likes of Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean and Kid Rock.
He noted that even seasoned pros like Underwood faced their own technical hurdles during the ceremony, but he believes “rock n roll” is about entertaining people even when equipment breaks down.
For Cyrus, performing at such a high-profile event was a simple matter of following his father’s old advice: when the commander in chief invites you on stage, you go and do your job for the people.
