Billy Ray Cyrus’ son Trace wrote a heartfelt open letter to his father on Instagram days after the country singer’s performance at President Trump’s Liberty Ball celebration.
The 63-year-old “Achy Breaky Heart” singer’s appearance, gruff voice and hostile reaction to several audio technical mishaps have fans worried about the country star, with some calling the performance a “disaster” and a “train wreck”.
Today his adopted son, Trace, 35, wrote an emotional appeal, calling on his father for help. “You are not in good health dad and everyone notices it,” he wrote.
“From my earliest memories, all I remember is being obsessed with you and thinking you were the coolest person ever,” Trace wrote. “I wanted to be like you. The day you adopted me was the happiest day of my life. Sadly, the man I so desperately wanted to be, as I barely recognize him now. It seems like this world has beaten you down and it has become obvious to everyone except you.
“You may be mad at me for posting this, but I really don’t care at this point,” he continued. “Me and the girls have been really worried about you for years, but you’ve pushed us all away… We’re all holding on to memories of the man we once knew and hoping for the day he returns… As I write this with tears in my eyes, I hope you realize that this message only comes from a place of love and that you also fear that the world will lose you far too soon. I love you dad. We haven’t spoken in a while, but I’ve been alcohol-free for over a year and a half. Guess what? I feel amazing…I don’t know exactly what you are struggling with, but I think I have a pretty good idea and I would love to help you if you open up and get some help.
Billy Ray Cyrus defended his performance – without really addressing his fans’ concerns – in his own Instagram post.
“I had a great time at the Liberty Ball last night and I’ve learned over the years, when the producer says ‘let’s go,’ you have to entertain people even if the equipment goes to hell,” said -he writes. “I was there for the people and we had a great time. It’s called rock n roll!!! Cyrus added: “I would not have missed the honor of participating in this event whether my microphone, guitar and monitors were working or not. I was there because President Donald J. Trump invited me.
The country singer’s seemingly rocky relationship with his daughter Miley Cyrus has been a source of media speculation for years. Last June, Miley confided this to David Letterman on his Netflix show My next guest needs no introduction that any breakup was exaggerated in the media and denied that the two were separated.
“I’m grateful to be able to watch it in front of me,” she said. “He almost gave me this map, and there’s a map of what to do and what not to do, and he guided me through both… The way his brain works has always made me feel more secure in my mind because we are very similar in some of our ideas. So I think a lot of his perspective on reality and on life, I inherited from him.
