Achy Breaky Heart to the White House: Billy Ray Cyrus to Perform at Trump Inauguration

Billy Ray Cyrus is taking the old town road straight to Washington, D.C.

Indeed, it’s hard to contain my excitement when I think about the fact that the man behind “Achy Breaky Heart” is among the performers set to take the stage at the various inaugural events for President-Elect Donald Trump, a leader who faced defeat against Joe Biden in the 2020 Presidential Election but managed to secure his position over Vice President Kamala Harris come November. I can hardly wait!

I’m absolutely thrilled to share that I’ll be part of an incredible lineup! I’ll be performing alongside Kid Rock, The Village People, and Lee Greenwood at the Make America Great Again Victory Rally on January 19th. This event is extra special because it precedes President Trump’s remarks and the swearing-in ceremonies of him and Vice President-Elect J.D. Vance. I can hardly wait!

During that time, Jason Aldean has been slated to perform at the Liberty Ball, an evening event happening not long after Trump and Vance’s inauguration on January 20th.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the capital city that evening, Rascal Flatts and Parker McCollum are scheduled to entertain the crowd at the Commander-in-Chief Ball. On the other hand, Gavin DeGraw will be the main act for the Starlight Ball.

I have the honor to share that I will be part of the official presidential inauguration as a performer. Specifically, I’ll be joining Carrie Underwood, who will grace us with her voice singing “America the Beautiful.” Additionally, Christopher Macchio, an accomplished opera singer, will take on the responsibility of performing the National Anthem.

As a proud citizen, I feel deeply honored to have been chosen to perform during the Inauguration, becoming a tiny piece of this monumental moment in history. The opportunity to participate is truly humbling, especially at a time when it’s crucial for us all to unite and look forward with hope and unity.

A good number of well-known individuals are expected to be present, including several former presidents such as Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. Furthermore, various members of previous first families have confirmed their attendance at this broadcasted event.

Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush have been invited as the respective spouses of their husbands, but it was announced on January 14th that Michelle Obama will not be attending this particular event.

Absolutely, the audience will likely catch a glimpse of some members from Trump’s family too, such as his wife Melania Trump and their 18-year-old son Barron Trump.

Dive deeper into the lives of the new First Family by exploring this comprehensive Trump family lineage.

Or more casually: Curious about the Trump clan? Check out this in-depth guide to understanding the family structure of our new White House residents!

Ivana Trump was initially married to the future President Donald Trump. Born in Gottwaldov, Czechoslovakia (now Zlín, Czech Republic) in 1949, she gained notoriety as a skilled skier. Her marriage to Austrian ski instructor Alfred Winklmayr in 1971 enabled her to travel frequently beyond Czechoslovakia’s borders.

In her book “Raising Trump”, Ivana describes meeting Donald in 1976, three years following her divorce from Winklmayr during a trip to New York for a Canadian fashion show, preceding the Montreal Olympics. They got married in 1977 and had three children: Donald Trump Jr., born in 1977, Ivanka Trump, born in 1981, and Eric Trump, born in 1984.

In 1992, their divorce was officially completed after Donald had an affair with Marla Maples, whom he later married. Interestingly, despite her subsequent marriages to Riccardo Mazzucchelli for two years and Rossano Rubicondi for less than a year, Ivana maintained a good relationship with Donald.

In 2017, she shared with ABC News that during their divorce, Donald exhibited harsh behavior. He viewed the divorce as a business transaction and aimed to come out victorious. This process took approximately two years. Following the resolution of the matter, they would occasionally reconnect and remained friends.

Ivana tragically passed away in 2022 at the age of 73. NBC News reported that the New York City Medical Examiner classified her cause of death as “blunt impact injuries,” with the manner of death being an accident. A senior NYC official, privy to the details, suggested that her death could have been due to a fall on the stairs in her New York apartment.

In the year 1977, Ivana and Donald had their oldest child, who goes by Donald Trump Junior. He joined his father’s business, The Trump Organization, in 2001, currently holding the position of executive vice president. Donald Junior has been actively participating in his father’s political ventures, such as addressing rallies and speaking at the Republican National Convention during his dad’s presidential bids.

He is a parent to five children with his former spouse, model Vanessa Haydon: Kai (who spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention), Donald III, Tristan, Spencer, and Chloe. At present, Donald Junior is engaged to Kimberly Guilfoyle, who was previously associated with Fox News.

Four years following Don Jr.’s arrival, Donald and Ivana welcomed their daughter, Ivanka Trump, into their family. Prior to her father’s presidency, Ivanka Trump—a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania—worked at The Trump Organization. Upon his election in 2016, however, the founder of her own fashion brand assumed the position of Advisor to the President.

After her father announced his presidential run again in 2024, Ivanka declared that she would be stepping away from politics to concentrate on her family with her husband, former White House senior advisor Jared Kushner, and their children: Arabella, Joseph, and Theodore.

In a statement obtained by NBC News in 2022, Ivanka expressed, “I hold my father dearly. At this juncture, I am electing to prioritize my young children and the domestic life we are constructing as a family. I do not intend to engage in politics.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, allow me to share some insights about myself. I was born in the year 1984, and I’m proud to say that I’m the third child of the union between Ivana and Donald. Much like my brother, I’ve found my professional stride within The Trump Organization, joining its ranks in 2007, where I now serve as Executive Vice President.

In my personal life, I’m fortunate to be married to the Republican National Committee co-chair, Lara Trump. Together, we’re blessed with two wonderful children, Luke and Carolina.

Marla Maples is Donald’s second wife, whom he met while still married to Ivana.

In the book “Raising Trump,” it was written that Ivana claimed the actress brought up the affair to her during a trip to Aspen in 1989, but Marla stated on an episode of ABC’s “Journeys of Faith with Paula Faris” in 2018 that she didn’t see herself as a mistress. She expressed regret about their relationship and wished they could have been together after Donald’s divorce was finalized. However, this wasn’t possible due to unforeseen circumstances. Marla and Donald had daughter Tiffany Trump in 1993, and they married the same year. Yet, they announced their separation four years later and officially divorced in 1999.

Following her parents’ divorce, Tiffany Trump chose to reside with her mother in California, seeking a less public environment for personal growth and self-discovery. In an interview with People magazine in 2016, she explained, “She wanted me to have the opportunity for a normal childhood – as normal as possible. I think she did a great job in that.”

Tiffany Trump released her single “Like a Bird” in 2011 and completed her B.A. in sociology at the University of Pennsylvania in 2016. Her focus areas were law and society. She subsequently attended Georgetown Law School, where she received her JD in 2020.

In 2022, Tiffany tied the knot with Michael Boulos. During an October 2024 speech at the Detroit Economic Club, her father announced that they were expecting their first child. “She’s a remarkable young woman,” he said during his address. “And she’s going to be a mother soon. That’s wonderful.

Melania Trump is set to be the third wife of Donald and the incoming First Lady of the United States. Born in Mesto, Slovenia in 1970, she will be the second First Lady born outside of the U.S., and the only one to become a naturalized American citizen.

Melania first crossed paths with Donald in New York City in 1996 when she was modeling. As she reminisced during an episode of ‘On the Record With Greta Van Susteren’ in 2016, it was at one of her friend’s fashion parties that they met.

Melania and Donald tied the knot in 2005, and their son, Barron Trump, was born the following year.

2006 saw the birth of Barron Trump, the sole child of Donald and Melania. Despite leading a relatively private life, with moves from New York to Washington D.C., then Florida, it appeared that he might venture into politics when selected in May 2024 as a delegate for the Republican National Convention in Florida. However, he chose to decline the offer.

In a statement shared with NBC News, Melania’s office explained, “Barron is honored to have been chosen by the Florida Republican Party, but regrets that he cannot participate due to pre-existing obligations.”

It seems that Barron has other priorities in 2024, such as his academic pursuits. As reported by the Daily Mail in an interview published on September 4th, “He was accepted into numerous colleges,” Donald said. “He’s a very intelligent individual, and he will be attending NYU’s business school, Stern, which is a highly respected institution.

2025-01-16 00:54

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