Didn’t think it could get worse than his Inaugural Ball performance, but here we are.
I’ve wanted to root for Billy Ray Cyrus. But after the total disaster that was his Liberty Ball performance during President Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration- where he wandered around the stage like a scary uncle at a wedding reception – I was kind of hoping he would have some sort of come to Jesus moment and give us some of that “Some Gave All” magic from early in his career.
Instead, we got “Ask,” his new single that just dropped yesterday, and I am not exaggerating when I say this could be the rock bottom of his career.
The track was just released, presumably part of the upcoming album he’s working on with his son, Braison Cyrus. That project sounded promising with Braison producing the album, and Billy Ray talking about how proud he is to work with his family again. All the right pieces to start to gain some hope again.
But when “Ask” hit streaming platforms and social media, any hope had disappeared. The low groaning of the painful lyrics is not impressing anyone.
You just have to hear it for yourself:
@billyraycyrus Hope y’all are havin’ an awesome Saturday! Just wanted to say… if you’re feelin’ lost—ASK. You know the future ain’t past. Turn this one up loud and let it ride. Much love! 🎶🚊🎸
It was easier to blame technical difficulties, the pressure of the situation, or all that Billy Ray was going through at the inauguration ball. But on this song, there was no excuse. This was recorded. And even worse, someone listened to it, signed off on it and pressed “upload”.
I’m not the only one not feeling it, as Billy Ray is getting destroyed in the comments:
“Sounds fire on mute”
“Umm Mr.Montana? You ok?”
“This isn’t very achy Breaky heart of you”
“I don’t remember this scene in The Walking Dead….”
“I’m not lost, I’m scared”
“are you good Billy”
“The jump scare when they first show him!”
“Clear your throat and try again Billy”
His long hair and low singing perusing through the woods in the video feels familiar to many people, comparing him to zombies, pirates, Pocahontas, and more…you name it:
“He looks like Jack Sparrows dad in Pirates of the Caribbean At Worlds End”
“Hes coming off like he hung out with Frank Gallagher for too long”
“Billy ray looking like the guy from Dennis the menace that lived under the bridge”
“he looks like he could play the live version of Pocahontas”
“i thought that was daryl first glance”
“He’s giving Otis Driftwood from Devils Rejects”
“It reminds me of “The power within” from that on SpongeBob episode”
Yikes. Clearly, it’s not the Billy Ray we know, and only seemed to bring new attention to his family’s calls for the singer to get help after raising concerns for his well being after the inaugural ball.
“Achy Breaky Heart” is still iconic, and I would argue he even sounded better in “Old Town Road.” where people just thought it was funny that he was a part of it, but not worried for his well-being like they are now after this drop.
It might be time to stop Billy Ray, or maybe just take some time to regroup. Because if “Ask” is what he is offering…it’s definitely not what we asked for.
Listen to the full song here…or better yet, don’t.